Biodiversity Conservation In China Research Articles

An analysis on the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of landscape ecological risk in Qilian Mountain National Park

As a key ecological function area and a priority area for biodiversity conservation in China, Qilian Mountain National Park is facing a severe test of its ecological environment, and the study of its landscape ecological risk is of great significance to the construction and high-quality development of the Qilian Mountain National Park. In this research, based on land use data from six periods (i.e., year in 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020) in the Qilian Mountain National Park, we divided the ecological risk plots, calculated the landscape pattern, and constructed the landscape ecological risk index to deeply explore the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of landscape ecological risk in Qilian Mountain National Park by using ArcGIS, Fragstats and GeoDa. The results showed that: Grassland is the predominant land use type, the area covered by woodland and grassland have exhibited a significant increase since 1995. Landscape fragmentation and disturbance indices exhibit fluctuations across different years, but showed an overall decreasing trend, and landscape stability was improved in the study area. There were obvious differences in the disturbance indices of different landscape types, with grassland and bare land having the highest values. Ecological risk in the study area is heterogeneous, with an overall low ecological risk and a shift to a lower risk level, and a decreasing trend in ecological risk, which is positively correlated spatially and mainly manifested as a “low-low” aggregation. Global warming and unreasonable human activities have exacerbated the ecological degradation of Qilian Mountain National Park, but a series of ecological restoration strategies after the establishment of the national park have gradually improved the regional ecological environment.

Trends and dynamics of philanthropic funding for biodiversity conservation in China

AbstractImplementation and funding mechanisms to reverse biodiversity loss formed the core of the discussion focusing on the Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (“the Framework”), at the 15th Conference of Parties at the Convention on Biological Diversity hosted by China. Before financial support emerged from the private sector in China, biodiversity conservation had primarily been financed by the government. By the end of the 20th‐century international nongovernmental organizations and China's local philanthropists began to launch pilot programs in the country. In the past 5 years, biodiversity conservation across China has received CNY 1.757 billion (approximately $279 million) from the philanthropy sector. It represents the largest‐ and fastest‐growing share (69%) of environmental philanthropic funding; however, it accounted for <1% of all the philanthropic in all sectors nationwide. We suggested Foundations and NGOs review and adjust their strategies to align with the Kunming‐Montreal global biodiversity framework. Proactive connection and engagement with the philanthropies is required to expand its contributions while providing better pathways and support mechanisms for philanthropic funding for biodiversity conservation. Despite the philanthropic funding provided has been relatively modest over the past few decades, the philanthropic organizations have achieved significant positive results for biodiversity conservation in China. However, the funding for biodiversity conservation falls far short of what is needed to achieve the goals under the Kunming‐Montreal global biodiversity framework. This study provides a comprehensive overview of biodiversity philanthropic funding in China. Based on the collection of data related to environmentally relevant grants provided by companies, foundations, and individuals, we conducted a visualization analysis to reveal China's philanthropic funding flows between 2016 and 2020 in China. The profiles of donors and the receipts of the funding have been described.

Dynamics changes and prediction of ecosystem services in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, western China

As an important ecological security barrier and a key region for biodiversity conservation in China, assessing ecosystem services (ESs) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) over long time series is of great significance. In this study, we quantified and analyzed the ESs of the QTP based on modeling combined with multivariate data. The results showed that habitat quality, water conservation, carbon storage and soil retention on the QTP from 1985 to 2020 were generally positive, and the quality of ESs and the distribution of cold hot spots were spatially consistent. The conservation of forest, shrub and grassland on the QTP contributed to the improvement of ESs. The supply capacity of ESs was higher in the southeastern part of the QTP while the areas with higher demand were located in the northeast. Based on quadrant division, it was found that the mismatch between supply and demand of ESs on the QTP was mainly "low supply and low demand" and "high supply and low demand". From 2020–2050, ESs on the QTP show varying degrees of increase under all scenarios, with greater changes in ESs under the SSP3–7.0 scenario and the slowest growth in ESs under the SSP5–8.5 scenario.

Taxonomy, distribution, and contemporary exposure of terrestrial mammals to floods and human pressure across different areas for biodiversity conservation in China.

A significant research focus is placed on identifying animal species and areas at future risk to human-induced alterations of the environment and long-term changes in climatic conditions. Yet, the extent to which exposure to extreme climatic events and intense human pressure can increase the risk of harmful impacts on species remains poorly investigated. Focusing on terrestrial mammals in China, one of the world's megadiverse countries, we investigated patterns of contemporary exposure to floods and human pressures and determined their taxonomic representation and distribution across three major area-based conservation schemes, namely, national nature reserves (NNRs), priority areas for biodiversity conservation (PABCs), and key biodiversity areas (KBAs). Among the 440 species assessed with moderate or high exposure to floods, 327 (∼75%) also qualified as moderate or high in exposure to intense human pressure. These species mainly belong to the orders Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, and Rodentia. Likewise, there were 305, 311, and 311 species with moderate or high exposure to flood and intense human pressure represented across NNRs, PABCs, and KBAs, respectively. Our findings support the prioritization of KBAs for expansion of site-based protection efforts such as NNRs in China, considering threats to species from exposure to adverse effects from both extreme climate and human pressure.

Prioritizing ecological conservation strategies to enhance national ecological connectivity in China

The decline of ecological connectivity poses a challenge for China as it faces a continuous loss of biodiversity. However, this phenomenon also increases the country’s natural reserves and afforestation area. With the approval of the national plan for combating climate change and the implementation of the “ecological redline” policy, there is an opportunity to improve China’s eco-connectivity with significant investments available for a continuous ecological restoration. However, little research has been conducted with respect to ecological connectivity, thus preventing policy makers from allocating a central investment between provinces for ecological restoration. This study modelled the resistance map against connectivity conservation by quantifying indicators of human disturbance and subsequently derived the national eco-corridor network by using least-cost path methods. A total of 2790 potential eco-corridors, connecting 97% of the protected areas in continental China were extracted. The paper ranked the importance of each eco-corridor for maintaining national ecological connectivity and identified the pinch points with high resistance. Based on the national eco-corridor framework, this paper proposed a two-dimensional coded table to help policy makers conduct effective management. The table also develops scenarios to aid decision makers in allocating central investments in provinces. By prioritizing ecological restoration to enhance ecological connectivity, the established eco-corridor network and scenario analysis will contribute to biodiversity conservation in China. This paper gives policy suggestions on cross-border management and plan implementation of eco-corridors, which helps decision makers in working towards ecological protection in China.

祁连山国家公园植被时空变化及其对人类活动的响应

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 祁连山国家公园植被时空变化及其对人类活动的响应 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202107221990 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 甘肃省创新群体项目（20JR10RA038）；中国科学院"西部之光"交叉团队项目-重点实验室合作研究专项；国家重点研发计划项目（2019YFC0507401） Spatial and temporal changes in vegetation cover and response to human activities in Qilian Mountain National Park Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:祁连山国家公园地处青藏、蒙新、黄土三大高原交汇地带的祁连山北麓，作为国家公园体制试点之一，是我国重要的生态功能区、水源涵养地和生物多样性保护优先区域，其生态功能不可忽视。以祁连山国家公园2000-2019年归一化植被指数（NDVI）和净初级生产力（NPP）数据为基础，结合气温、降水、土地利用、矿产开采和旅游发展数据，利用泰尔-森趋势分析（Theil-Sen趋势分析）、曼-肯德尔检验（Mann-Kendall显著性检验）、土地转移概率矩阵和多元残差分析方法，分析该区域的植被时空分布特征、变化趋势特征及其对气候变化和人类活动的响应。结果表明：（1）2000-2019年祁连山国家公园内NDVI和NPP在空间上呈现出东南高西北低，由东南向西北递减的格局。时间上呈现上升趋势，上升速率分别为0.0053/a和0.0014/a；（2）祁连山国家公园内NPP提高、降低和稳定区域分别占总面积的87.29%、0.40%和12.30%。降低区域零星分布于整个国家公园，其中在走廊南山和冷龙岭交汇处，靠近甘青两省交界边缘分布最为集中。提高区域分布广泛，尤其以国家公园东部最为明显；（3）祁连山国家公园NDVI与气温呈现显著正相关区域约占40.18%，与降水呈现正相关区域约占25.70%，气温上升、降水增多促进了国家公园植被生长，适宜的水热组合对植被生长更有利；（4）人类活动对植被变化的影响具有两面性：约有28.91%矿业、旅游和水电站在整改、规范之后植被生长状况仍较差，生态环境没有明显恢复；退耕还林还草工程、生态林建设工程成效显著，近3年林地、草地面积增多。（5）祁连山国家公园大部分植被覆盖变化是由气候变化和人类活动共同导致。 Abstract:Qilian Mountain National Park is located in the north piedmont of Qilian Mountains at the intersection of Qinghai-Tibet, Mongolian-Xinjiang and Loess. As one of the national park system pilots, Qilian Mountain National park is an important ecological function area, a water retention area and a priority area for biodiversity conservation in China, and its ecological functions cannot be ignored. Based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of Qilian Mountain National Park from 2000-2019, combined with temperature, precipitation, land use, mineral extraction and tourism development data, we used the Theil-Sen slope estimation, Mann-Kendall test, land transfer matrix and multivariate residual analysis methods to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of vegetation, change trend characteristics and its response to climate change and human activities. The results showed that (1) NDVI and NPP in Qilian Mountain National Park from 2000 to 2019 showed a spatial pattern of high in the southeast and low in the northwest, decreasing from southeast to northwest. Temporally, they showed an increasing trend, with an increase rate of 0.0053/a and 0.0014/a, respectively. (2) The improved, decreased and stable areas of NPP in Qilian Mountain National Park accounted for 87.29%, 0.40% and 12.30% of the total area, respectively. Decreased areas are scattered throughout the national park, with the most concentrated distribution at the intersection of Zoulang South Mountains and Lenglongling, near the border edge of Gansu and Qinghai provinces. The improved areas are widely distributed, especially the most obvious in the eastern part of the national park. (3) The NDVI of Qilian Mountain National Park shows a significant positive correlation with temperature in about 40.18% of the area, and a positive correlation with precipitation in about 25.70% of the area, the increase in temperature and precipitation promotes the growth of vegetation in the national park, and a suitable combination of hydrothermal conditions is more favorable to the growth of vegetation.(4) The impact of human activities on vegetation changes was two-sided:Approximately 28.91% of mining, tourism and hydroelectric power stations in the national park still had poor vegetation growth after rectification and regulation, and the ecological environment has not recovered significantly; The cropland to forest and grassland conversion projects and ecological forest projects have been effective, the area of forest and grassland has increased, in the past three years.(5) Most of the vegetation cover changes in Qilian Mountain National Park were caused by a combination of climate change and human activity. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Quantifying the spatial impact of landscape fragmentation on habitat quality: A multi-temporal dimensional comparison between the Yangtze River Economic Belt and Yellow River Basin of China

Landscape fragmentation due to urban sprawl and industrialization has caused habitat loss and threatened global biodiversity. However, the magnitude, spatial pattern, and mechanisms of how landscape fragmentation leads to habitat loss remain unclear. The Yellow River Basin (YRB) and the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YZREB) are important ecological security barriers that play a decisive role in landscape connectivity and biodiversity conservation in China. From a comparative perspective, this study analyzes the temporal-spatial changes of land cover in the YRB and the YZREB from 2005 to 2018 and simulates the land use pattern in 2031 using a patch-level simulation (PLUS) model. Then the degree and tendency of landscape fragmentation during 2005–2031 are measured based on the entire region and a 10 km grid, respectively. The habitat quality (HQ) is measured using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. The temporal-spatial evolution characteristics of HQ are analyzed across multiple dimensions, including the entire region, urban agglomerations and watersheds (upstream, midstream, and downstream). Finally, spatial econometric models are applied to examine the spatial dependence of HQ and quantify the spatial impact of landscape fragmentation on HQ in the YRB and YZREB based on 10 km grids. Results show that: (1) there would be a significant trend of landscape fragmentation and habitat degradation in both the YRB and YZREB during 2005–2031. (2) HQ in the YRB and YZREB has the spatial distribution characteristics of being low in coastal areas and urban agglomerations but high in inland areas and mountainous forest areas. (3) The spatial distribution and spatial relationship of landscape fragmentation and HQ in YRB and YZREB differ significantly in multi-spatiotemporal dimensions. The findings could provide support for landscape planning and biodiversity conservation strategies in China and other developing countries.

The influence of China's protected areas policy on households' risk perception, forest investment, and revenue.

Protected areas are an essential policy tool for biodiversity conservation in China as elsewhere, yet the impact of protected area policies on the livelihood of local households in China remains unknown. We contend that the protected area policy achieves the two goals of ecological conservation and livelihood improvement simultaneously. In this study, we empirically investigated the influence of the protected area policy on local households' risk perception, forest investment, and forest revenue. We analyzed a sample consisting of households located inside or adjacent to two protected areas, namely, Wuyishan National Park and Longqishan Nature Reserve, both in Fujian Province. A total of 211 valid questionnaires were collected in 2021, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that the establishment of protected areas has a positive impact on forest revenues, mediated by risk perception and forest investment, while the average levels of perceived damage increased and perceived security decreased due to the protected area policy. Our study has implications for policymakers seeking to improve biodiversity and household livelihood around protected areas.

Freshwater biodiversity conservation in China: Progress in the Yangtze River basin

The author has no conflict of interest to declare. Some data that support the findings of this study are available in [The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations] at [https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=AV2012073645].

Spatial evaluation of the ecological value importance of national park in Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon

The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon (YTGC) region is one of China's vital gene banks of mountain biological species resources. It is also an experimental site for biologists worldwide to study how organisms differentiate in the exceptional environment of the plateau. Evaluating the importance of the ecological value and identifying extremely important regions to national parks to implement the strictest conservation is significant to protecting and preserving global biodiversity. YTGC as the study area, and a comprehensive evaluation model conformed to ecological value attributes was established: (i) evaluation of ecosystem service function, including water retention, soil and water conservation and biodiversity maintenance; (ii) evaluation of ecological vulnerability, including soil erosion and geological disasters; (iii) evaluation of ecological conservation, including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), Global 200 Ecoregions (G200), Biodiversity Hotspots (BH), Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) and Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation in China (PABCC). Identifying as extremely important, important, and general important regions, then mosaicked with the maximum value. The results show: first, the extremely important regions of ecosystem service are about 30,242.90 km2 (45.64%), distributed in most regions flowing southwest along the Yarlung Zangbo River. Second, the ecological vulnerability regions are about 26,561.65 km2 (40.06%), concentrated and contiguously distributed in the valley regions along the Yarlung Zangbo River and the high-altitude glacier-covered regions. Third, the extremely important regions for ecological conservation are mainly distributed in Milin County (39.86%) and Medog County (36.33%), which also presents a clustered distribution in the highly high mountains with apparent differentiation along the Yarlung Zangbo River valley in Milin County and the vertical natural belt centered on the Namjagbarwa and the Galabai Leifeng. Finally, we proposed that the integrated extremely important regions of ecological value should be divided into national parks for strict conservation; at the same time, it is also a reference for considering the construction of biodiversity conservation corridors when roads pass through the extremely important regions. This study presents a reliable and integrative method for effectively identifying conservation priority areas at small-medium scales, which can be applied to other PAs planning and management.

Vital role for ethnobiology in new era of biodiversity conservation in China

ISHS IX International Scientific and Practical Conference on Biotechnology as an Instrument for Plant Biodiversity Conservation (physiological, biochemical, embryological, genetic and legal aspects) Vital role for ethnobiology in new era of biodiversity conservation in China

Do people really support conservation? Evidence from China and the United States

Survey studies have consistently shown strong public support for biodiversity conservation, even though conservation regulations often face strong local resistance when they are implemented. This seemingly contradictory phenomenon is due to the fact that previous polls have sought opinion only in the abstract, yet many conservation measures are implemented at the expense of local economic development, and policymakers often face a ‘Conservation-Development Tradeoff’-a policy dilemma that remains understudied by social scientists. To fill this gap, this study conducts one of the first comparative surveys on public support for biodiversity conservation in China and the United States. I measure public support for conservation using two separate question versions online. The ‘regular version’ asks directly about individual support for biodiversity conservation, and the “tradeoff version” asks the same question but in the context of the policy tradeoff. The results show that both American and Chinese citizens are highly supportive of conservation in the abstract. But after they learn about the tradeoff effect, the aggregate support falls sharply, and the Chinese citizens show significantly less support compared to their American counterparts. The survey findings expanded on existing academic research on public attitudes toward conservation policies and can encourage future conservation policymakers to understand the significance of the tradeoff issue, as conventional wisdom may have overestimated public support for biodiversity conservation. Moreover, as China has become a crucial player in global conservation governance, understanding the Chinese public sentiment on the real-world policy dilemma can have important implications for conservation policymaking in the world.

Spatial phylogenetics of the Chinese angiosperm flora provides insights into endemism and conservation.

The flora of China is well known for its high diversity and endemism. Identifying centers of endemism and designating conservation priorities are essential goals for biodiversity studies. However, there is no comprehensive study from a rigorous phylogenetic perspective to understand patterns of diversity and endemism and to guide biodiversity conservation in China. We conducted a spatial phylogenetic analysis of the Chinese angiosperm flora at the generic level to identify centers of neo- and paleo-endemism. Our results indicate that: (i) the majority of grid cells in China with significantly high phylogenetic endemism (PE) were located in the mountainous regions; (ii) four of the nine centers of endemism recognized, located in northern and western China, were recognized for the first time; (iii) arid and semiarid regions in Northwest China were commonly linked to significant PE, consistent with other spatial phylogenetic studies worldwide; and (iv) six high-priority conservation gaps were detected by overlaying the boundaries of China's nature reserves on all significant PE cells. Overall, we conclude that the mountains of southern and northern China contain both paleo-endemics (ancient relictual lineages) and neo-endemics (recently diverged lineages). The areas we highlight as conservation priorities are important for broad-scale planning, especially in the context of evolutionary history preservation.

Dynamics of invasive alien plant species in China under climate change scenarios

The distribution dynamics of invasive alien plants is the fundamental information for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to these species in a new habitat. Based on the field survey data and online databases, the present research work utilized Maximum Entropy model (Maxent) to simulate the distribution dynamics of four invasive plants Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R. M. King et H. Rob., Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Mikania micrantha Kunth in China, under current and future climate (2041–2060, 2061–2080, 2081–2100) in two shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs: SSP 245 and 585) of the newly released coupled model intercomparison project phase6 (CMIP6). All the suitable habitat areas of these plants will significantly expand in the future, but at different expansion levels. M. micrantha will have the largest distribution area (increase by 61–120%), while A. adenophora will expand by 7–33%, A. philoxeroides by 12–74%, and A. artemisiifolia by 8–27%, respectively. Additionally, the habitat centers of the four species will shift to north, i.e., A. philoxeroides, A. artemisiifolia and M. micrantha to northwest, and A. adenophora to northeast, except that the core distributions of A.adenophoraand A. artemisiifolia will move to southwest under one certain environment scenario (SSP 245 in the period of 2061–2080). Compared to aspect index and slope topographical variables, the population density, temperature, and precipitation are found to be more important variables in describing the distribution of these plants. The dynamics of habitats of these four species and the correlating driver factors proposed in this work provide essential insights into future spatial management of invasive plants and biodiversity conservation in China, which is, not only human activities should be regulated and the migration of invasive species be reduced, but also the monitoring of high-risk areas should be strengthened in order to ensure effective EDRR.

Inland fisheries development versus aquatic biodiversity conservation in China and its global implications

China is unique among nations on account of its rich aquatic biodiversity (1443 inland fish species comprising 10% of those worldwide), status as the world’s largest producer (50%) of inland fish, and recent history of significant disruption of natural ecosystems. Ecological Civilization, a policy increasingly advocated in China since 2015, provides a strong platform to protect aquatic ecosystems and restore biodiversity in inland waters. We reviewed processes, policies, and outcomes related to inland fisheries and aquatic biodiversity during the 70 years since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Particular focus was on recent transformations in inland fisheries development and protection of inland aquatic biodiversity (IAB) under the goals of China’s recent Ecological Civilization policy. We describe how Chinese inland fisheries have undergone three transformative historical phases, (1) rapid development, (2) over-exploitation, and (3) vigorous protection. A series of newly introduced policies and programs hold promise for rehabilitating IAB. Global implications are considered by comparison with many of the world’s major river basins. We highlight the challenge of balancing fisheries development with biodiversity conservation; avoiding incidental adverse effects on conservation; rationalizing development under protection; eliminating gaps between protected areas, averting extinction and restoring endangered species; and integrating protection in managing watershed ecosystems. In the context of the global decline in freshwater biodiversity, the 70 years of fisheries development and biodiversity conservation in Chinese inland waters serve as a leading example for global IAB.

Progress of agricultural biodiversity conservation in China

Progress of agricultural biodiversity conservation in China

High plant species richness and stable climate lead to richer but phylogenetically and functionally clustered avifaunas

AbstractAimsGlacial–interglacial climate stability and contemporary climate could affect bird diversity through their direct effects on diversification and physiological tolerance, and indirect effects on plant species richness, which could provide more food and ecological niches. This study aims to quantitatively assess the direct and indirect effects of these drivers on species richness, phylogenetic and functional structure of bird assemblages.LocationMainland China.TaxonBirds.MethodsOrdinary least squares models and simultaneous autoregressive models were used to test the associations between glacial–interglacial climate anomaly, contemporary climate, plant species richness, elevation range and species richness, phylogenetic structure, functional structure of bird assemblages in mainland China. Structural equation models were used to distinguish between direct and indirect effects of these variables on bird diversity.ResultsHigh bird species richness with phylogenetically and functionally clustered structure occurred in regions with more plant species and stable glacial–interglacial climate. Notably, the phylogenetically clustered bird assemblages were composed of young lineages. Contemporary precipitation and elevation range affected bird diversity through their indirect effects on plant species richness.Main ConclusionsThese findings suggest that more plant species and stable glacial–interglacial climate may promote bird diversity through their effects on in situ diversification and species dispersal rate in southwestern China. Therefore, the well‐preserved plant and bird diversity through the long‐term climate fluctuations should be of great importance of biodiversity conservation in China.

More endemic birds occur in regions with stable climate, more plant species and high altitudinal range in China

BackgroundGeographical distribution of endemic species and its multiple scale drivers are an important topic in biodiversity conservation, because these species are especially vulnerable to climate change and habitat degradation, and therefore have high conservation priority. Here, for the first time, we simultaneously linked glacial-interglacial climate change, contemporary climate, plant species richness and altitudinal range with endemic bird distribution in China.MethodsOrdinary least squares models and simultaneous autoregressive models were used to assess the associations between endemic bird richness, endemic bird ratio and each explanatory variable. Structural Equation Models were also performed to test the direct and indirect effects of these variables on endemic bird richness and endemic bird ratio.ResultsHigher endemic bird richness and endemic bird ratio occurred in regions with stable glacial-interglacial temperature, i.e., southwest China. Plant species richness and altitudinal range were also positively correlated with endemic bird richness and endemic bird ratio. Glacial-interglacial temperature change, contemporary precipitation, plant species richness and altitudinal range were all included in the best combination of variables for endemic bird richness. Importantly, glacial-interglacial temperature change had strong direct effects on both endemic bird richness and endemic bird ratio, while plant species richness only had a direct effect on endemic bird richness.ConclusionsOur results indicate that endemic birds in China concentrate in southwest regions where there are stable glacial-interglacial temperature, more plant species and larger altitudinal range. Notably, while stable climate has strong direct effects on both endemic bird richness and endemic bird ratio, plant species may affect endemic bird richness through its effect on overall bird species richness. Importantly, the recent anthropogenic activities have also significantly intensified in this region, which would pose huge challenge for biodiversity conservation in China.

Recognition of priority area of biodiversity conservation in Liaoning Province, Northeast China

Priority areas of biodiversity conservation (PABC) were classified to strengthen biodiversity conservation in China. As there are no such priority areas in Liaoning Province, China, it is important to make up this gap. After calculation of seven indices at three composition levels (ecosystem conservation, human interference, and regionalization for biodiversity conservation), index values, composition values, and comprehensive recognition value for PABCs in Liaoning Province were obtained successively. Suggested territorial scopes of Western Liaoning Priority Area (WPA) and Eastern Liaoning Priority Area (EPA) were then determined in terms of administrative boundaries of towns, counties, and nature reserves. Among them, WPA covers an area of 12951 km2, with 53.6% of forest coverage and nine national or provincial nature reserves. The main ecological function of WPA is soil and water conservation. EPA is 20057 km2 in area, with 78.9% of forest cove-rage and eight national or provincial nature reserves. Water resource conservation is the main ecological function of EPA. Key protected species at national or provincial level and the important ecosystems are densely distributed in those priority areas. It is urgent to carry out biodiversity conservation in these PABCs.

The Landscape Patterns of the Giant Panda Protection Area in Sichuan Province and Their Impact on Giant Pandas

As the flagship species of biodiversity conservation in China, the giant panda has significant ecological protection value and plays an important demonstrative role for conservation. Sichuan Province has the largest area of giant panda habitat, making its protected areas the most important for the conservation of this species. However, the habitats of the giant panda are shrinking due to human disturbance through land encroachment for agriculture and other forms of resource exploitation. Reducing these pressures requires assessing current land use and the causes of fragmenting giant panda habitats. This paper reports on changes in land-use patterns and socio-economic development in typical counties with giant panda habitats in Sichuan in 2003 and 2015, with a focus on giant panda protection areas and human pressures in the surrounding lands. We found that road construction, industrial infrastructure, and other forms of economic development have led to increases in human populations and fragmentation of the giant panda habitats, such that that the population of this species has been significantly reduced in some counties. Improving the protection of giant panda requires designing regional economic development activities based on scientific principles to provide benefits to both the local people and the giant pandas. For example, when making land use plans, the local government should consider the impact of the development of the communities surrounding the giant panda areas on the giant pandas’ habitat.