Website: http://mel.xmu.edu.cn

Founded in 1995, the Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (MEL) was promoted to state level as the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science (Xiamen University) in March 2005. MEL is currently a primary research institution carrying out marine environmental science research in China.

MEL is dedicated to cutting-edge research in the field of marine environmental science, with special focus on biogeochemical processes, mechanisms, and their ecological effects. The ultimate goal of MEL is to become an internationally recognized institution in advanced marine environmental science and a platform for international academic exchange and cooperation.

At present, the lab has 63 full-time research members, 33 technicians, 63 research assistants, and 7 administrative staff. Over the past five years, MEL scientists have published 468 peer-reviewed papers in SCI journals and have won 17 awards at the national or provincial level.

National Observation and Research Station for the Taiwan Strait Marine Ecosystem (T-SMART)

The National Observation and Research Station for the Taiwan Strait Marine Ecosystem (T-SMART) was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China in October 2021. T-SMART consists of two substations, the Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove Wetland Ecosystem Station (M-ECORS) and the Dongshan Swire Marine Station (D-SMART), which cover four observation areas: Zhangjiang Estuary, Dongshan Bay, Xiamen Bay, and the Taiwan Strait. The station is mainly committed to long-term monitoring and experimental research on marine ecosystem structure and function, providing scientific and technological support for the health of the marine ecological environment and sustainable economic development.

M-ECORS (117°23′E, 23°55′N), located at the Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National Natural Reserve in Yunxiao County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province, was established in August 2008 and officially approved as the Observation and Research Station of Fujian Province in December 2018. The station is committed to building a continuous field observation system for wetland-estuary-bay ecosystems, an open and shared scientific research platform for academic research, a high-quality talent cultivation and public education base, and a distinctive international cooperation station.

Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Xiamen University), Ministry of Education (WEL)

Website: http://wel.xmu.edu.cn

Endorsed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Key Laboratory of Coastal and Wetland Ecosystems (Xiamen University) (WEL) was established in November 2011. It is founded on decades of research in mangrove ecology, diatom biology, and parasite zoology at Xiamen University, led by pioneering scientists including Professors Dexiang Jin, Zhongzhang Tang (member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), and Peng Lin (member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering). WEL is dedicated to interdisciplinary cutting-edge research on coastal and wetland ecosystems under the impact of global climate change, with a particular focus on the structure, function, and restoration of coastal wetland ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions.

At present, there are 52 scientists at WEL, including one member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 31 professors.

Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies (CEES)

Website: http://cees.xmu.edu.cn

The Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Coastal Ecology and Environmental Studies (CEES) was jointly established by the Fujian Institute of Oceanography and Xiamen University in July 2011.

CEES aims to conduct major scientific research on the evolution of coastal, watershed, and wetland ecosystems in the Taiwan Strait and its adjacent coastal areas, which are under multiple pressures from global change and human activities. CEES also makes great efforts to align with both national and local major demands for ecological security and disaster prevention and mitigation of the ecosystems. At present, the lab has 38 full-time research members, including one grantee of the NSFC Fund for Distinguished Young Scholar, one Minjiang Chair Professor, and one XMU Chair Professor. Additionally, three young scientists have been supported by the MOE Program for New Century Excellent Talents, seven young scientists have been supported by the Fujian Higher Education Program for New Century Excellent Talents, and one young scientist has received the Distinguished Young Scholar Award from Fujian Province.

Engineering Research Center of Fujian Province for Coastal Wetland Protection and Ecological Restoration

Established in 2010, the Engineering Research Center of Fujian Province for Coastal Wetland Protection and Ecological Restoration currently has 13 scientists, 7 research assistants, and 3 administrative staff. It is designed to leverage the academic strengths of Xiamen University to promote research on technology development for coastal wetland protection and ecological restoration, and to conduct mangrove and rare water bird conservation projects, as well as wetland ecosystem and important biological population restoration projects. The goal of the center is to promote economic development and ecological civilization along the west coastline of the Taiwan Strait.

Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control (Xiamen University) (CPPC)

The Fujian Key Laboratory of Coastal Pollution Prevention and Control (Xiamen University) (CPPC) was established in June 2019. It is founded on an innovation team in key fields of the Ministry of Science and Technology. 

CPPC aims to conduct major scientific research on ecological security protection and pollution prevention and control in coastal areas. At present, the lab has 21 full-time research members, including one Chair Professor of the Cheung Kong Scholar Program of the Ministry of Education, one recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholar, two scientists supported by the National Special Support Program for High-level Personnel Recruitment (the Ten-thousand Talents Program and the Thousands of Young Talents Program), two scientists supported by the National Million Talents Program, two chief scientists of National Key Scientific Research Programs, and three scientists supported by the Fujian Higher Education Program for New Century Excellent Talents.

Engineering Research Center of Fujian Province for Coastal Wetland Protection and Ecological Restoration

Established in 2010, the Engineering Research Center of Fujian Province for Coastal Wetland Protection and Ecological Restoration currently has 23 scientists and 7 research assistants. It is designed to leverage the academic strengths of Xiamen University to advance technology development for coastal wetland protection and ecological restoration, and to conduct mangrove and rare water bird conservation projects as well as wetland ecosystem and important biological population restoration initiatives. The Center aims to promote economic development and ecological civilization along the western coastline of the Taiwan Strait.

Collaborative Innovation Center for Health and Safety of Aquatic Environment (HSAE)

Website: http://iwater.xmu.edu.cn/

The Collaborative Innovation Center for Health and Safety of Aquatic Environment (HSAE) was founded in 2013 and was promoted to a provincial "2011 Collaborative Innovation Center" in 2015. HSAE is led by Xiamen University and jointly established with the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fujian Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Fujian Normal University, and other institutions prominent in the fields of Environmental Science and Ecology.

HSAE is dedicated to major research on the health and safety of aquatic environments, with a particular focus on aquatic environment monitoring, aquatic environmental effects and human health, remediation techniques for water pollution, aquatic environment safety precaution and emergency countermeasures, and coastal-watershed planning and management.

The ultimate goal of HSAE is to serve as a collaborative platform for technological innovation and talent cultivation.

Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Fujian Province

The Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove Wetland Ecosystem Station (M-ECORS), established in 2008, was officially approved as the Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Fujian Province in 2018. The Station focuses on the structure and function of coastal wetland ecosystems, the mechanisms of ecosystem biodiversity maintenance, and the responses of ecosystems to global changes and human activities. Current observation systems and permanent plots provide solid support for research on material and energy cycles in subtropical estuarine wetlands in the context of global climate change. The main building of M-ECORS, which became operational in 2021, occupies a total land area of 1.2 ha and a total construction area of over 1 ha. It now serves as a multi-functional platform supporting scientific research, education, and social services. The Station is committed to building a continuous field observation system covering wetland, estuary, and harbor ecosystems; an open and shared scientific research platform for coastal and wetland ecosystems; a high-quality talent training and public education base; and a supporting platform for the sustainable development of the social economy and ecological civilization.

The Environmental Science Research Center, Xiamen University

The Environmental Science Research Center was established based on the Institute of Environmental Science of Xiamen University, which was founded in 1982. In 1992, led by Professor Hong Huasheng, in response to the rapid socio-economic development and disciplinary advancement in China, the Environmental Science Research Center was formed by integrating research strengths across Xiamen University. With the mission of "embracing the ocean, connecting with the world, cultivating talents, and serving society," the Center fully leverages the university's marine strengths and vigorously develops marine environmental science. After nearly 30 years of development, the Center has established a disciplinary system and scientific research platform with distinctive characteristics and advantages in the marine environment field, and has cultivated a large number of outstanding talents in biogeochemistry and global change, ecosystem and environmental change, environmental chemistry and monitoring, environmental toxicology, and environmental management. It has become a prestigious research institution in the field of marine environment both domestically and internationally.

Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University (COMI)

Website: http://comi.xmu.edu.cn/

The Coastal and Ocean Management Institute (COMI), Xiamen University, was established as a research organization of Xiamen University in October 2005. It is dedicated to conducting research and higher education on the sustainable development of oceans and coastal areas, with the support of relevant international organizations and Xiamen Municipality.

COMI's primary mission is to create a platform that encourages interdisciplinary programs by leveraging the multi-disciplinary resources within the university and collaborating with other highly respected regional, national, and global institutions. It also cultivates high-caliber interdisciplinary talents and provides scientific and technological support for decision-making toward the sustainable development of oceans and coastal zones.

COMI is devoted to scientific research at the frontier of sustainable development of the ocean and coastal areas. Currently, the Institute has established four research directions: the Center for Oceans Policy and Law (XMU-COPL); the Center for Integrated Watershed and Ocean Management (CIWOM); the Center for Marine Economics (CME); and the International Training Center for Coastal Sustainable Development (ITC-CSD).

Institute of Ecological Civilization, Xiamen University

Established on June 1, 2018, the Institute of Ecological Civilization is a university-level research platform of Xiamen University. The Institute addresses the national strategy of ecological civilization development and local needs, integrates the multidisciplinary teaching and research resources across the university, and gives full play to the advantages of interdisciplinary research in the liberal arts, sciences, and engineering. The Institute aims to build a world-class Environmental Science and Ecology discipline, promote cooperation among government, industry, academia, research, and business sectors, provide scientific and technological support and policy consultation for accelerating the construction of "Green China," offer scientific guidance and technical support for enterprise development, and establish a national platform integrating scientific research, social services, and a national think tank.

The research content of the Institute mainly includes: ecological civilization theory and ecological culture; ecological civilization development policy and systems; ecological civilization development management technology; environmental protection and pollution control technology; ecosystem protection and restoration technology; resilient city planning and technology; green manufacturing and low-carbon development technology; human resource development for ecological civilization; and ecological civilization education.

International Institute for Sustainability Science (IISS)

Website: https://iiss.xmu.edu.cn/en

Established in April 2022, the International Institute for Sustainability Science (IISS) is a university-level research platform led by the College of the Environment and Ecology and jointly established with the School of Public Affairs and the School of Journalism and Communication.

Focusing on the international frontier of global environmental change and sustainable development, as well as the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Institute conducts theoretical, methodological, and practical research to serve the strategic needs of national and local sustainable development. The main research directions are: the coupling mechanism of the social-economic-environmental system; the pathways of sustainable development and their scenario modeling technologies; planning, progress assessment, and decision support systems for sustainable development; urbanization, rural revitalization, and sustainable development; and the sustainable development of the coastal zone with land-sea integration.