Objective:
The objective of this Annex is to establish the Centers for Soil and Water Conservation and Environmental Protection, co-located at the Northwest Sci-Tech University in Yangling, Shaanxi, People¿s Republic of China and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory located in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States. Each Center will conduct research, develop scientific tools and technology, and introduce improved methods for soil and water conservation and environmental protection integrated with other human pursuits that socially and economically maintain livelihoods and protect the environment through information exchange, education and proactive extension services. This Annex is subject to the terms and conditions of the S & T Agreement and the Protocol. In the event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of the S & T Agreement or the Protocol and this Annex, the S & T Agreement and the Protocol shall govern.

Approach:
Cooperation under this Annex may include, but is not limited to, the following topic areas: 1. Erosion and Sedimentation: including the study of wind, water, and gravity erosion processes, sediment transport, and deposition and quantifying their effects on landscape stability, water quantity, air and water quality, agriculture and the environment at scales ranging from farm fields to entire river basins. 2. Climate Change: including interactions with, plant responses, soil erosion, and environmental quality. Research will include local, regional and global scales. 3. Soil, Water and Environmental Conservation: including social, economic, and environmental factors that influence effective management for sustaining soil, water and environmental resources and using decision-support tools to predict the potential consequences of various management options. 4. Watershed Ecosystems: using models and indicators based on selected physical, chemical, and biological attributes to define watershed ecosystem health and determine the susceptibility of watersheds to climate variability. 5. Agriculture and Environment: Centers will quantify watershed productivity and water resource capacity affected by land use, vegetative cover and climate and develop farming practices to maximize water use efficiency and agricultural production while minimizing adverse local and off-site environmental impacts. Research will include demonstration projects. 6. Information Services and Technology Transfer: Assemble, manage and publish data and information resources for research, education and public service. To generate broad interest and increased activities, the Parties will, upon mutual consent, involve other interested government agencies and the scientific and business communities of both countries in cooperative programs, trade capacity-building activities, and scientific cooperation and exchanges in implementation of this Annex.