In order to address the core research questions, to assess and reduce uncertainties and to establish a better basis for future adaptation and mitigation strategies, it is of utmost importance to apply novel interdisciplinary approaches and methods that allow quantification of spatial and temporal dynamics of current Earth surface fluxes on the Tibetan Plateau. For the purpose of providing information about the responses of the geo-ecosystem to alterations of the sediment, water and carbon fluxes between the terrestrial ecosystem and the atmosphere, we have defined four main interlinked individual core research areas: (project table)