Research Center for Wetland Ecology and Environment (RCWEE) was established in 1997. The goal of RCWEE is to provide sound scientific knowledge that will lead to sustainable wetland functions and values for the nation and the world.

The main study of RCWEE is wetland science, including wetland ecology, wetland environment, wetland conservation and wetland management, etc.

Core researchers for the RCWEE are the director, faculty, visiting scholars and graduate students. The RCWEE sets up four laboratories including Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Process, Laboratory of Biogeochemistry, Laboratory of Water Resource and Environment, and Laboratory of Environmental Analysis and Assessment, and one field station, Sanjiang National Research Station of Wetlands Ecosystem. At present, RCWEE has 30 staffs including nine professors, seven associate professors and 14 assistant researchers.

Recent research focuses on (1) the spatio-temperal pattern of wetland evolution and ecological processes; (2) the process of wetland eco-hydrology and water environmental effects; (3) the impact of coupled natural and human activities on wetland ecological processes; (4) wetland ecosystem degradation and restoration; (5) wetland resources wise use and sustainable management.