Critical zone science is a novel discipline in earth sciences.International researchers investigate on this discipline mainly through critical zone observatory(CZO),with the aim to develop the framework of this discipline and to serve for economic development and ecological protection.In China,CZO studies have just been initiated.Shenongjia Dajiuhu is a typical subalpine peatland,dominated by Sphagnum,in the middle latitude.This peatland is a head source of Duhe River,which finally drains into the Danjiangkou Reservoir.In 2013,Dajiuhu peatland was listed as a Ramsar Wetlands site.With these merits,Dajiuhu is aperfect place to monitor the peatland dynamics.Based on the over ten yearsstudies on paleoclimate and modern processes in Dajiuhu,we initialed a CZO monitoring program in Dajiuhu in the early 2014.This program considers all elements in the critical zone,with special attention to organisms,water and greenhouse gases.Monitoring points are established in the peatland and the surrounding lakes and rivers,to explore the relationship among wetlands.Within the peatland,both the surficial and deep processes are monitored.To date,most measurements were completed in the field,to eliminate the influence of sample storage. This paper presents both the progresses of our work and the outlooks for the CZO in Dajiuhu.In the near future,we should pay more attention to improvement of the monitoring techniques and facilities,and focus on responses of the carbon cycle to climate changes especially droughts,and evaluation of the influence of climate change and human activities on the ecosystem function of the subalpine wetland.In addition,collaborations with domestic and international researchers will be strengthened.The final objective is to fulfil the theory for subalpine peatland critical zone,and to build the model of peatland critical zone,and to serve for wetland protection and sustainable development.