Extensive conservation programs help China maintain megadiverse status

As one of 17 megadiverse countries, China is home to nearly 10 percent of all the Earth’s plant species and 14 percent of its animals.

Biodiversity not only assists in maintaining the productivity of the environment, but also supports food security, helps humans adapt to climate change and provides important medical resources.

However, rapid socioeconomic development has put the country’s biodiversity under increasing pressure. Some species have been threatened by habitat loss, poaching, the growing urbanization rate and climate change.

In recent decades, conservation efforts — focused on habitat protection, afforestation and wildlife conservation — have been undertaken to protect the country’s biodiversity.

Between 2016 and last year, China established several nature reserves, which now cover 18 percent of its land area. They protect 90 percent of the country’s plants and 85 percent of its wild animals, according to the National

Forestry and Grassland Administration. Wetland conservation is also crucial, as the country’s 65.9 million hectares see it ranked fourth in the world, accounting for 10 percent of the globe’s wetland areas.

Administration data show that China’s wetland has grown by 202,600 hectares over the past five years.

Wetland — lakes, rivers, marshes and coastal areas — is the most threatened ecosystem, but it provides vital feeding and breeding grounds for migratory birds.

As of last year, China had 899 national wetland parks and nearly half of the country’s wetland was guarded by some level of government, making a significant contribution to water quality and environmental protection.

Significant results in terms of greening and natural resources protection have also been achieved. Since 2016, 35.2 million hectares of trees have been planted and the rate of grassland vegetation coverage has risen to 55.7 percent.