Background: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It achieves this by subjecting, and if necessary, suspending, international trade in listed species to certain controls and regulations. The effective implementation of the Convention relies on the coordination and consistency of countries worldwide in terms of terminology comprehension, law enforcement, data collection and statistics, and policy formulation. However, due to legacy issues at the time of CITES’s signing, United Nations’ languages such as Chinese, Russian and Arabic are not working languages of CITES. Despite China’s four-decade implementation of CITES, with Chinese CITES authorities having translated the Convention text and other valid documents into Chinese for domestic dissemination, China’s participation in the formulation and implementation of regulations for international trade in wild fauna and flora remains contingent upon accurate comprehension and translation of CITES terminology and definitions in English. Terminology is the core concept in the formulation and implementation of policies and regulations, and it is also the foundation of rules. As a highly technical and operational international agreement, CITES has a comprehensive implementation system with a complex and intertwined set of rules. Investigating the translation and characteristics of terminology can provide an entry point for understanding the establishment and evolution of CITES regulations.

Main Content: This article traces the linguistic regulations at the time of CITES’ signing, lists important terms related to the conservation of endangered wild animals and plants and their translations in the CITES text and valid documents, and categorizes the CITES terms according to their nature and application scenarios. The definitions and explanations of CITES terms can be categorized into definitional, explanatory, and quotational according to their nature; and into scientific and definitional terms, regulatory and procedural terms, and cooperative and compliance terms according to their application scenarios. By using an online Large Language Model Moonshot AI, 14 terms with the most special English explanations and the greatest differences from common understanding were extracted from the 150 terms of the CITES glossary, and a comparison was made.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the CITES terminology is primarily anchored in the Convention’s legal framework, embodying purpose-driven linguistic features tailored to regulate wildlife trade. However, divergences from common usage emerge through three distinctive dimensions: more detailed, specific, and operationally robust. When Parties inadequately grasp these terminological nuances during routine implementation of Convention obligations, such comprehension gaps may not only impede regulatory compliance but also precipitate operational ambiguities. In severe cases, it may even trigger or activate the Convention’s review and suspension mechanisms. Mastery of the categories and characteristics of CITES terminology aids in understanding the background, rule evolution, and operational execution of this so-called “Convention with teeth”. It includes compliance and enforcement measures, such as the prohibition of trade. Only with a comprehensive understanding can we effectively implement the Convention, regulate international trade in wild fauna and flora, and advance global biodiversity governance. Additionally, the characteristics and interpretations of CITES terminology also provide insights and references for formulating China’s wildlife protection and management laws and regulations, as well as related standards.

Aim:Hubei Province, located in central China, features a complex and diverse topography that provides heterogeneous habitats for rich flora. Lycophytes and ferns are important elements in biodiversity. However, they were not included in the Flora of Hubei.

Methods: To comprehensively document the diversity and distribution of lycophytes and ferns in Hubei Province, we compiled a checklist integrating data from the Catalogue of Life China: 2024 Annual Checklist, the National Specimen Information Infrastructure (NSII), published books, and journal articles. Families and genera were classified based on the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group I (PPG I) system.

Results: Our results identified 31 families, 99 genera, 570 species, 3 subspecies, and 27 varieties of lycophytes and ferns in Hubei Province. Among these, lycophytes comprised 2 families, 8 genera, 38 species, and 1 subspecies, while ferns comprised 29 families, 91 genera, 532 species, 2 subspecies, and 27 varieties. In addition, this study confirmed that 42 species previously recorded in Hubei Province were not actually distributed there, and we questioned the authenticity of 37 species reported in the province.

Conclusion: To improve the accuracy of plant documentation in Hubei Province, we recommend strengthening field investigations, and ensuring rigor and precision in specimen collection records. Our results provide a valuable dataset for future study on lycophytes and ferns in Hubei Province.

Aim: Hemibagrus guttatus has historically been known as one of the “four famously economic fish in the Pearl River”. However, due to cascade development, water pollution, and overfishing, wild populations of H. guttatus have drastically declined. In February 2021, H. guttatus was listed as a national category II key protected wild animal species. The study is to investigate the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of H. guttatus to identify actions that can improve scientific management and protection of wild H. guttatus populations.

Methods: A total of H. guttatus samples were collected from 19 locations in the Pearl River and the Hanjiang River. We used multiple approaches, including phylogeny, divergence time estimation, and population genetics, to explore genetic diversity, genetic structure and population historical demography based on mitochondrial genomes.

Results: Genetic diversity analyses revealed nucleotide diversity in the H. guttatus populations of the Pearl River and Hanjiang River exhibit extremely low nucleotide diversity, indicating an urgent protection of H. guttatus populations is necessary. Phylogenetic trees and haplotype network indicated that H. guttatus populations in the Pearl River and the Hanjiang River formed independent lineages, with two sub-lineages present in the Pearl River. Divergence time estimation analysis suggests that the Pearl River populations and the Hanjiang River populations split between 0.284 and 0.401 million years ago (Ma), while the two sub-lineages in the Pearl River diverged between 0.092 to 0.132 Ma. Bayesian skyline plots suggested that overall H. guttatus populations experienced significant population contraction and expansion between 0.072 and 0.101 Ma and 0.024 and 0.033 Ma, respectively. This analysis also suggested that the Pearl River populations underwent significant population expansion between 0.024 and 0.032 Ma.

Conclusions: Results from this study suggest Pleistocene climate change in South China may be an important driving factor that triggered H. guttatuslineage divergence. Further, sea level fluctuations induced by the late Pleistocene glacial cycles and the Last Glacial Maximum may have influenced the distribution and effective population size of H. guttatus populations. Based on the results of this study, we recommend the following: (1) strengthen supervision of fisheries administration, (2) establish protected areas to maintain H. guttatushabitat, and (3) increase monitoring of Hanjiang River populations. Moreover, the maternal lineage of sampled fish should be determined (by mitochondrial sequencing) before reintroduction to avoid blind release of non-local parents or offsprings into local rivers. Implementation of these practices will help preserve, and even improve, the genetic diversity of H. guttatus, which will allow them to remain an important economic fish for years to come.

Aims:The Hexi Corridor serves as a critical ecological protection area in Northwest China. This study aims to investigate the fish diversity and resource status within the interior drainage systems of this region.

Methods:From April 2019 to October 2023, eight fishery resource surveys were conducted at 25 sampling sections across inland river basin of the Hexi Corridor. The relative importance index (IRI) was used to determine the dominant species of the population. Fish diversity was analyzed using the Margalef richness index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index, and Pielou evenness index. The Bray-Curtis similarity coefficient was used to cluster and sort the distribution characteristics of fish. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and redundancy analysis (RDA) was employed to examine the gradient relationships between fish community composition and environmental factor using Canoco 5.0 software.

Results:A total of 9,743 fish belonging to 4 orders, 8 families, 20 genera and 29 species were identified. Among them, 12 species are indigenous, including Gymnocypris chilienensis and Schizopygopsis pylzovi, which are under Gansu Provincial protection. Schizopygopsis pylzovi was identified as a new recorded species in the interior drainage of Hexi Corridor, and four species, including Triplophysa yarkandensis and Silurus soldatovi, were classified as vulnerable or near-threatened under the Red List of Biodiversity of China. The fish populations were predominantly composed of small-sized species, with Gymnocypris chilienensis, Triplophysa hsutschouensis and Carassius cuvieri as the dominant species. Notable differences in dominant species were observed across different river systems and temporal intervals. The fish diversity in the inland river system of Hexi Corridor was generally low across the inland rivers. The Margalef richness index was the highest in summer (2.215), while the Simpson dominance index peaked in autumn at the 0.715. Both Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.463) and Pielou evenness index (0.716) reached their maxima in spring. Among the rivers, the Heihe River exhibited the highest species richness index of Margalef (2.767 ± 1.455) and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.549 ± 0.432), whereas the Shule River recorded the highest Simpson dominance index (0.755 ± 0.060) and Pielou evenness index (0.807 ± 0.095), respectively. The NMDS analysis revealed significant differences in fish species composition between the upper and middle-to-lower reaches of rivers. Redundancy analysis indicated that total phosphorus was the primary environmental factor influencing fish community structure.

Conclusion:Compared with survey data from the 1980s, the distribution areas of Gymnocypris chilienensis and Triplophysa yarkandensis have been reduced, while the distribution areas of other Triplophysa species have remained relatively stable. Key factors affecting fish diversity and distribution in the region include water resource scarcity, invasive species, and water conservancy projects.

Background: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is the primary tool for the Parties to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity and serves as the master plan for national biodiversity conservation. Local governments play a crucial role as the managers of regional biodiversity conservation. The coordinated actions between central and local governments, according to their respective powers will unite the overall implementation of NBSAP and have a significant impact on the action effectiveness.
Results: The China National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2023-2030) has updated the strategy, priority areas, and actions to address the challenges to biodiversity conservation in the new era. The responsibilities of local governments for biodiversity conservation have been continuously clarified through the development of relevant regulations and policies. Although the central and local governments have coordinated to promote NBSAP implementation and achieved remarkable results through multiple means such as strengthening legal safeguards, improving policies and planning, and integrating biodiversity into demonstration, evaluations, and assessments, challenges still remain. These challenges include: (1) operational methods and pathways for biodiversity conservation, (2) the return on conservation investment, and (3) the scale of social participation.
Recommendations: In view of the challenges to biodiversity conservation and NBSAP implementation, it is recommended to provide operational methods through technical guidance and pilot demonstrations to bridge the gap from concept to practice. Additionally, promoting the market value realization of biodiversity and enhancing political returns can stimulate intrinsic motivation and improve the sustainability of conservation efforts. Lastly, enriching biodiversity-related policy instruments are crucial to mobilize extensive participation from the whole of society.

Aims: Litter constitutes a crucial component of forest ecosystems, playing significant roles in biogeochemical cycling, energy flow, and nutrient balance. Nevertheless, understanding the mechanisms by which biotic and abiotic factors influence litter production in heterogeneous natural forest ecosystems remains contentious. This study aims to investigate the long-term dynamics and influential factors affecting litter production in karst forests within subtropical regions.

Methods: In this study, we set up 151 litter traps, and collected litter monthly from 2018 to 2022 in a 25-ha karst evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest dynamics plot in the Mulun National Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province. All litter in each trap was dried, classified and weighed.

Results: The average annual litter production in karst forests was 5,946.55 ± 77.27 kg/ha, with significant inter-annual variability. The proportion of each litter component ranked as follows: leaves (63.26%) > debris (24.89%) > twigs (12.79%). Seasonal patterns for total litter and leaf litter production were similar, displaying a bimodal trend with peaks in spring (March-April) and fall (September-October). Monthly dynamics of branch litter followed a unimodal pattern, peaking in autumn (around October), while debris showed a bimodal pattern with peaks in spring (May) and fall (October), respectively. The species diversity, convexity, mean diameter at breast height (DBH), were the main driving factors of litter production within a 5 m radius neighborhood around the traps. The results of the structural equation model indicated that the species diversity, DBH, and convexity have a direct influence on the total litter production, while slope had an indirect influence on the total litter production through altering species diversity.

Conclusion: Five years of continuous monitoring have revealed significant seasonal variations in litter production within the karst evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest. Both biotic and topographic factors collectively affected the spatial variability of litter production.

Aims: In the face of the extinction crisis primarily driven by human activities, understanding the dynamics of forest succession under varying disturbance regimes is more vital than ever. This study seeks to examine the influences of disturbances on the successional dynamics of species diversity in mid-subtropical forests, aiming to provide scientific insights for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration efforts.

Methods: We selected four typical forests within the Qianjiangyuan section of the Qianjiangyuan-Baishanzu National Park candidate area: evergreen broad-leaved old-growth forests (PR), once-disturbed secondary forests (MD), twice-disturbed secondary forests (SD), and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation forests (PL). A total of 12 1-ha forest dynamics plots (three plots for each forest type) were established in 2009 and recensused every five years. In each census, all free-standing stems ≥ 1 cm in DBH (diameter at breast height) were measured, mapped, and identified to species. With those data, we measured species diversity using four indices: species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson diversity index, and Pielou’s evenness index, collectively to explore the trajectories and rates of successions of biodiversity under different disturbance regimes.

Results: Our longitudinal data revealed that species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and Simpson diversity index in PR, MD, and PL increased over succession, while they decreased in SD. Pielou’s evenness index showed divergent dynamics: it initially increased and then decreased in PR and MD, whereas it consistently increased in SD and PL. Noticeably, when Chinese fir was excluded, Pielou’s evenness index in PL decreased over time. The succession rate of various species diversity indices generally showed a declining trend over time, but the rate of species richness and Pielou’s evenness index was mostly not significant. Affected by snow and ice disasters, the successional trajectory of PR deviated from its stable state. The succession rate of species richness in the early recovery stage of the impaired PR was significantly higher than in other forests and decreased significantly over time, while the succession rate of Pielou’s evenness index was low and showed no significant change over time. The succession rate of Pielou’s evenness index in PL was significantly higher than in other forests and decreased significantly over time, while the succession rate of species richness was low and showed no significant difference from MD and SD.

Conclusion: We underscore the differentiated effects of disturbances on the succession of species diversity in subtropical forests. PR demonstrated a high capacity for self-recovery after disturbances, while SD exhibited a decline in species richness, emphasizing the critical role of disturbances in shaping community succession. Our results inform conservation strategies by suggesting that restoration efforts should be tailored to the disturbance history and succession stage of each forest type. For highly disturbed areas like PL, active restoration measures such as tree thinning are necessary to enhance biodiversity recovery, whereas PR might benefit from minimal intervention due to their inherent capacity for self-recovery. This research contributes to global efforts to halt biodiversity loss and promote sustainable forest management by providing evidence-based insights into the complex relationships between disturbance, succession, and species diversity.

China serves as a global biodiversity hotspot for Gesneriaceae, with particularly high species richness and exceptional endemism rates concentrated in its southwestern regions. The family Gesneriaceae is characterized by its rich biological diversity, reproductive and nutritional organ phenotypic polymorphism, and a pan-tropical distribution pattern. These characteristics make this taxon a primary focus in research related to biogeography, evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and more. Despite the importance of Gesneriaceae, investigations concerning its biodiversity in China have been limited to cataloging species, or some other generic analyses. This has left a gap in understanding the diversity distribution patterns of Gesneriaceae throughout China. To fill this gap, this study compiled literature and specimen data to catalogue Gesneriaceae and establish a geographic distribution database for China’s known Gesneriaceae. The findings reveal that Gesneriaceae primarily inhabit the tri-junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, as well as the Hengduan Mountains, southeastern Tibet, and across southern provinces. As of 30 June 2024, the Gesneriaceae in China comprised 46 genera and 880 species (including 58 varieties). Among these, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region had the most species (324), followed by Yunnan Province (319 species) and then Guizhou Province (159 species). At the county scale, Malipo County (70 species) and Pingbian Miao Autonomous County (63 species) of Yunnan Province had the most Gesneriaceae diversity. These invaluable findings will enable Chinese researchers to further their investigations and conservation efforts related to Gesneriaceae.

Background & Aim: Domestic animals and their wild relatives are important biological resources crucial to the creation of new breeds, germplasm innovation and wildlife protection. China has abundant and unique domestic breeds and is one of the distributions of many wild relatives and the origin centers of animal domestication. The confusion in the usage of Chinese and Latin names for domestic animals and their wild relatives hinders the accurate identification of biological resources, impairs effective scientific research communication and science popularization, and contributes to the loss of vital biological resources.

Methods: We search online resources and official documents such as the List of State Key Protected Wild Animals (2021), threatened species listed on China’s Red List (2021), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (2023) among others. This information is used to investigate the history and origin of domesticating animals and the sources and use of names for domestic animals and their wild relatives in Chinese, English, and Latin languages.

Conclusion & Suggestions: We find four key principles: (1) The Latin names of domestic animals and wild relatives must consider their origin and domestication history. (2) The Chinese names of domestic animals and wild relatives should conform to the rules of taxonomy, using the names of official documents or related monographs is recommended. (3) The Latin name of offspring produced by the hybridization of species should be expressed by the Latin scientific name of the parent, and the order of the Latin name should be distinguished from the orthogonal or inverse cross. (4) International conventions, national laws and regulations, scientific reports, and other official documents shall be used first according to context.

Background & Aim As a critical research area under the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), urban green spaces play a key role in maintaining the ecological stability of cities and improving the quality of life of residents. However, the compound pressures of habitat fragmentation, invasive alien species and environmental pollution brought about by large-scale global urban expansion have made the conservation of biodiversity in urban green spaces an urgent issue in global ecological governance. This paper focuses on the biodiversity of urban green spaces under high-intensity human intervention, systematically analyzing its conceptual connotation and research scope. We review advances in monitoring technologies, functional synergies, landscape optimization, and management strategies, while identifying research gaps and future directions.

Progress: Research indicates that urban green spaces serve as vital infrastructure for enhancing the resilience of ecosystem services, facilitating species migration and dispersal, and improving climate adaptation. Effective biodiversity conservation requires integrated strategies that restore ecological connectivity and optimize multifunctional synergies. However, the current research still faces bottlenecks such as fragmentation of the monitoring technology system, disconnection of cross-scale planning, and lagging governance mechanisms. In the future, it is necessary to build an intelligent monitoring system and a comprehensive database, develop multi-objective synergistic models, promote biodiversity-oriented green space system planning, and innovate a multifaceted governance mechanism.

ProspectsThrough interdisciplinary integration and international cooperation, the conservation of urban green space biodiversity will be deeply embedded in the governance of land space, and the synergistic path of urbanization and biodiversity conservation will be explored, so as to provide a scalable ecological restoration plan for achieving the global 30 by 30 target and provide a scientific decision-making paradigm for the sustainable symbiosis of urban ecosystems in the context of the Anthropocene.

Aims: Spatial ecological niche differentiation is a crucial mechanism for biodiversity maintenance. The ungulates in the Chongzhou Area of Giant Panda National Park are numerous and widely distributed, but their spatial ecological niche differentiation remains unclear. The objective of our study is to analyze the ungulates spatial distribution and their spatial coexistence.
Methods: A survey on ungulates was conducted using 56 camera traps near Chongzhou, China from October 2021 to March 2022. To analyze species spatial distributions, we used single-species single season model to calculate the occupancy rates of six main local ungulate species including Sus scrofa, Elaphodus cephalophus, Rusa unicolor, Budorcas taxicolor, Naemorhedus griseus, and Muntiacus reevesi. Further, two-species single season model was used to calculate the species interaction factors (SIF) between these species to explore their spatial coexistence.
Results: We found that (1) Elaphodus cephalophus had the highest spatial occupancy rate (0.61) followed by Sus scrofa (0.55), and Rusa unicolor, Budorcas taxicolor, Naemorhedus griseus with 0.44, 0.42, and 0.11, respectively, while Muntiacus reevesi had the lowest occupancy rate (0.05); (2) The occupancy rate of ungulates was affected by environmental variables, with elevation being the highest-ranking factor; (3) There was no significant avoidance between Rusa unicolor and other ungulates in terms of spatial co-existence except Sus scrofa, nor between Elaphodus cephalophus and Sus scrofa, Budorcas taxicolor, whereas the other species were more avoidant in their spatial distributions to each other.
Conclusions: Our results suggest environmental factors influence the spatial ecological position of ungulates, while spatial distribution patterns among species significantly affect the coexistence mechanism and interspecific competition among animals distributed in the same area. We provide a scientific basis for the conservation and management of ungulates in the Chongzhou Area of Giant Panda National Park. Further, our research highlights the importance of considering spatial ecological niche differentiation in species diversity conservation.

Background & AimsNature-based solutions (NbS) offer multiple environmental, social and economic benefits. They play an important role in addressing climate change and achieving sustainable development. Enhancing urban ecosystems through strategies that “work with nature” is now widely practiced by cities globally and is crucial for achieving Target 12 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Methods: In this paper, we summarized the theoretical framework of NbS and used the habitat garden initiative in Changning District, Shanghai as a case study. We systematically analyzed the design and operational modes, and network construction methods of urban microhabitats. Furthermore, we explored the achievements and limitations of habitat gardens, and suggested future research and practical directions for urban microhabitats in high-density urban areas, guided by national urban biodiversity conservation strategies.

Results: The habitat garden initiative in Changning District, Shanghai has explored three key innovations: (1) Strengthening the networking scale effect among scattered microhabitats in dense urban areas; (2) Establishing a model of community governance with active resident participation; and (3) Forming collaborative partnerships that benefits all stakeholders. However, challenges remain, such as inconsistent biodiversity monitoring, an overemphasis on residential green spaces, and inadequate funding plans. As the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework progresses, restoring urban habitats and ecological networks will become increasingly crucial.

Suggestion & PerspectivesGuided by the NbS framework and principles, cities should establish a cross-departmental and inclusive governance platforms to provide support urban microhabitats and ecological networks. To increase the appeal of NbS and urban biodiversity conservation, three measures should be implemented: improving scientific monitoring systems, expanding design patterns across various climate zones, and developing diverse funding mechanisms.

Aims:Guangdong Province is one of the provinces with the high diversity of Chiroptera in China and is also one of the global hotspots for chiropteran distribution. To comprehensively understand the current diversity resources of Chiroptera in Guangdong Province, and to provide basic data for future biodiversity research and conservation practices, the timely updating of species checklists and the availability and accuracy of molecular barcode databases, even those based on local species specimens, are necessary.

Methods:This study was based on our long-term survey results over 30-years effort, combined with a summary of historical records and literature on Guangdong Province, we aimed to update the chiropteran species checklist for the province. Additionally, we selectively utilized our specimen resources that collected by our research team over 30-years to specifically construct their molecular barcode database via molecular barcoding technology. We provided primers and PCR systems for molecular barcoding technology that cover the known species of Chiroptera, facilitating future use by researchers.

Results:As of July 2024, Guangdong Province had recorded 61 species of Chiroptera across 8 families and 24 genera, making its species diversity second only to Yunnan Province, which had 82 species across 8 families and 31 genera. Its diversity accounted for 43.2% of the bats in China. Among these, the family Vespertilionidae had the highest diversity with 37 species, while the genus Myotis was the most diverse genus with 11 species. We compiled 11 pairs of universal primers for the Cytb gene and 9 pairs for the COI gene. Based on molecular sequence data primarily obtained from samples that historically collected in this province, we established a reference barcoding database for the 61 Chroptera species in Guangdong Province.

Conclusions:This study not only revises and updates the species checklist of Chiroptera in Guangdong Province, but also establishes the molecular barcoding database. It could provide accurate and convenient basic data for the molecular identification of Chiroptera species in the province and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We hope this will benefit future biodiversity research and conservation practice.

This article is based on an audio tape of Chan Wang recorded in 1986, which provides detailed information about the discovery of the dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) by Chan Wang. This article is now published as Chan Wang’s posthumous work. The discovery occurred in 1943 when Chan Wang was on an expedition to explore the forests of Shennongjia in Hubei Province, Central China. The article begins with Chan Wang’s acceptance of the Shennongjia exploration mission and narrates the entire process of how he overcame numerous hardships to collect the dawn redwood specimens and conducted research on them. The discovery of the dawn redwood was a combination of both chance and inevitability, and it was Chan Wang’s fearless and selfless spirit of scientific exploration that led to a serendipitous opportunity into the inevitable outcome of the discovery of the dawn redwood.

Aims: The study aims to investigate the fish composition and diversity patterns in the source region of the Yangtze River, one of the most critical water conservation zones worldwide.

Methods: Field surveys were conducted in the headwaters of the Yangtze River, including the Tuotuo, Chumaer, Dam Qu, Tongtian, and Dadu rivers in Qinghai Province from 2021 to 2022. Data on the presence and abundance of fish, as well as environmental factors, were collected during the surveys.

Results: A total of 26 species (and subspecies) were recorded in the field surveys, belonging to 12 genera, 3 families, and 2 orders. Analysis of the index of relative importance (IRI) revealed that Schizopygopsis malacanthus and Herzensteinia microcephalus were the dominant species. Seven species are newly recorded, including four native species and three non-native species. Alpha diversity indices showed higher species diversity in the Tongtian and Dadu rivers compared to other tributaries, while the Yalong River exhibited a more uneven species distribution. Similarity coefficient analysis and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) indicated significant differences in species composition among tributaries, highlighting the influence of geographic isolation and ecological adaptation on fish diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed notable differences in fish community structures across different river systems, with water temperature and altitude identified as key determinant factors. Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the fish distribution patterns were random, with a slight tendency towards clustering. The Getis-Ord Gi* analysis identified two hotspots in the Dadu and the Tongtian rivers.

Conclusion: This study provides updated information on the fish composition in headwaters of the Yangtze River and enhances our understanding of spatial variations in fish diversity in the region. These findings lay the foundation for scientific management and conservation of native fish in the source region of the Yangtze River.

Aims: Benthic organisms are a crucial part of marine ecosystems, playing an essential role in material cycling and energy flow. Gastropods, particularly through their predation and scavenging activities, help maintain the stability of benthic ecosystems. Understanding the dietary habits of gastropods is key to understanding their ecological role. Neptunea cumingii, a gastropod of significant ecological and economic importance in northern China, has not been sufficiently studied in terms of its diet and ecological role. Therefore, it is important to investigate the dietary composition of N. cumingii in natural conditions and to further understand its regulatory role in northern China’s benthic ecosystems.

Methods: In this study, four wild N. cumingii stomach samples were collected, and the stomach contents were analyzed using DNA barcoding techniques targeting the 18S rDNA V4 and V9 hypervariable regions to identify eukaryotic organisms.

Results: A total of 265,161 high-quality reads were obtained from the 18S rDNA V4 region across four samples, representing 93.16% of the original reads, and 141 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained by clustering. From the 18S rDNA V9 region, 221,998 high-quality reads were obtained, accounting for 86.54% of the original reads, and 490 OTUs were obtained. The 18S rDNA V4 region produced higher-quality sequences, but fewer annotated species compared to the V9 region. In total, 17 phyla were identified across all OTUs, including 10 from the animal kingdom, 5 from the fungal kingdom, 1 from the plant kingdom, and the SAR (Stramenopiles, Alveolates, and Rhizaria). The most abundant taxa in both the V4 and V9 analyses were Gastropoda, Actinopterygii, Trematoda, and Chromadorea. At the OTU level, only 5.67% and 8.08% of OTUs were detected across three or more samples, classified into the phyla Mollusca, Vertebrata, Ascomycota, and SAR. Overall, the analysis of the 18S rDNA V4 and V9 hypervariable regions revealed a diverse array of eukaryotic organisms, including animals (annelids, arthropods, mollusks), fungi, plants, and protists, with gastropods, fishes, trematodes, and fungi being the most abundant. A small percentage of OTUs were detected in multiple samples, indicating the variability of the diet.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that N. cumingii is an opportunistic feeder, obtaining energy from animal carcasses, sediments, and debris. It exhibits both herbivorous and predatory behaviors, which may help control fouling organisms. Its dietary composition is influenced by the local microenvironment, underscoring the species’ potential for use in bait domestication. This study provides insights into the role of N. cumingii in marine ecosystems and its nutritional needs for aquaculture.

Aims: Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are becoming an essential complement to the traditional system of protected areas, playing a critical role in global biodiversity conservation. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the development trajectory and current research on OECMs, focusing particularly on their advancements and unique characteristics in China. It further explores the future prospects of OECMs in China under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Progress: In recent years, the continuous policy advancements regarding OECMs worldwide underscore the international community’s recognition of their significant role as a supplementary tool in global biodiversity conservation strategies. From conceptualization to practical implementation, OECMs have undergone a process of deepening and refinement, emerging as a key mechanism for addressing biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Globally, systematic studies have been conducted on the criteria, procedures, and methodologies for identifying OECMs, as well as on their governance and long-term effectiveness.
Perspectives: Despite the growing international recognition of OECMs, their effective implementation and monitoring continue to face significant challenges that require urgent attention. This study explores future development pathways for OECMs within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a particular focus on accelerating their mainstreaming, enhancing biodiversity conservation effectiveness through robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, establishing clear de-designation procedures, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and multi-stakeholder governance, and advancing research and formal recognition of marine OECMs. These efforts aim to contribute to the refinement of biodiversity conservation strategies in China and globally, providing a scientific basis for the effective integration of OECMs into broader conservation frameworks.

Halophytes, as a unique group of plants adapted to saline-alkaline environments, play a crucial role in ecological conservation, saline-alkaline land management, and sustainable resource utilization. However, compared to their significance, the systematic inventory of halophytes in China has lagged behind. Existing data primarily come from regional studies or scattered literature records, lacking systematicity and comprehensiveness. This study, based on the foundational data from Halophytes of China (first and second editions) and the global halophyte database (eHaloph), integrates years of field investigations and systematically reviews and supplements the existing inventory data (adding new taxa and new records), improving global distribution information. It also systematically organizes ecological and functional data such as habitat, life form, height, morphology, halophyte type, ecological type, maximum salinity, photosynthetic pathway, and utilization value. Ultimately, we have compiled a dataset on the new inventory and geographical distributions of Chinese halophytes. Up to 2024, this dataset includes 102 families, 538 genera, 1,581 species (including 31 subspecies and 37 varieties) from China. With the advancement of agricultural development and ecological restoration efforts, some exotic halophytes have gradually become naturalized and integrated into China’s halophyte communities. Compared to the of Halophytes of China, 2nd edn, this dataset includes an additional 31 families, 310 genera, 1,026 species (including 22 subspecies and 14 varieties). The establishment of this dataset provides important support for in-depth research on the diversity, ecological functions, and application potential of Chinese halophytes, and also provides a scientific basis for policy-making in saline-alkaline land management and biodiversity conservation.

Aims:The negative impacts of light pollution, resulting from excessive artificial light at night (ALAN), on various organisms and ecological processes, have garnered significant attention. However, the impact of ALAN on the frequency of invasive alien plants and its effects on plant community composition and the growth performance of both invasive alien and native species remain poorly understood.

Methods:We carried out a field investigation in Changchun City to compare areas with and without ALAN exposure, focusing on the frequency of invasive alien plants, the composition, and biodiversity of both invasive alien and native plant communities, as well as the average plant height and relative coverage of these plants.

Results:We found that: (1) ALAN did not significantly influence the frequency of invasive alien plants; (2) While ALAN did not significantly affect the diversity of invasive alien and native plant communities, it significantly increased the richness of invasive alien plants; (3) ALAN significantly enhanced the average height and relative cover of invasive alien plants and decreased the relative cover of native plants, but had no significant effect on the average height of native plants.

Conclusions:These results suggest that ALAN may further bolster the competitive advantage of invasive alien plants and increase their invasion risk. Therefore, future management strategies for plant invasion should incorporate ALAN as a potential contributing factor.

Aims: The rapid expansion of linear infrastructure poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Developing large-scale optimization pathways for wildlife passages is crucial for regional biodiversity conservation.
Method: We employ the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model, with emphasis on representative wildlife species in Xinjiang, to predict potential habitats and assess the importance of each. The minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) model computes the least-cost paths influenced by linear infrastructure. We then accurately pinpoint the necessary locations and numbers of passages by integrating current and planned roads and fences to improve habitat connectivity, ultimately proposing an optimized spatial layout for wildlife passages.
Results: Our findings reveal notable ecological differences in the habitat distributions of various representative species. Carnivores are predominantly found in alpine and subalpine regions, while large herbivores show a preference for arid desert areas. High-resistance zones are mainly located where railways and highways intersect protected areas. Our analysis identified 2,494.98 km of passage regions and 4,314 individual passages. Higher technical grades of road are associated with longer passage regions and a greater number of passages. The total length of passages in important regions surpasses that of key regions, but passage density is significantly higher in key regions.
Conclusion: Given these findings we suggest implementing differentiated passage construction based on the technical grade of linear infrastructure. Further, enhancing passage layout optimization outside protected areas to effectively preserve regional ecological connectivity is necessary to maintain biodiversity.

Background & Aims: Storage beetles refer to coleopterans that are directly or indirectly related to stored products and have significant implications for human life. Historical factors, including the use of multiple classification systems across different periods and confusion surrounding Latin-English-Chinese names, have resulted in information mismatches globally, leading to the incorrect application of control techniques and unnecessary economic losses.

Methods:The higher-level classification of 430 storage beetles was primarily based on the authoritative Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Handbook of Zoology, Zoological Record, and the current internationally accepted Coleoptera classification system. A comprehensive catalogue of important storage beetles, including their naming history and original literature, was compiled for the first time, supplemented by their English names and former Chinese names (if applicable).

Results:This study clarifies the taxonomic status, Latin-English-Chinese names, and original literature references for 430 storage beetles, encompassing 12 superfamilies and 32 families of Coleoptera. The taxonomic status of 41% families has changed. A total of 283 pieces of original literature related to species names were reviewed. Additionally, the Latin names of 45 species were revised compared to previous common names due to 3 homonyms, 23 synonyms, 18 combinations, and 1 upgradation.

Conclusion:This study contributes to the standardized use storage beetle names and provides scientific support for related applications in industry sectors.

Aims: In arid sandy areas, while the sand-fixing vegetation system is crucial to maintaining ecological security, artificial vegetation gradually often faces the risk of degradation with the increase of the growth period. Recently, it has become an urgent theoretical and technical challenge to maintain the relative stability of sand-fixing vegetation systems, as well as promote their natural regeneration and succession. To understand the ecological traits of seeds from sand-fixing vegetation areas with different establishment years, we collected vegetation samples from the north side of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. Our objectives are to determine the characteristics of the seed rain, soil seed bank, and aboveground vegetation, along with interrelationships among them to characterize species growth and community structures in this specific environment. The overall goal is to fully understand the mechanisms of underlying vegetation renewal, succession, and stability maintenance in the sand-fixing vegetation area on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the sustainable management of the sand-fixing vegetation system.

Methods: On the northern edge of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway, we selected three types of sand-fixing plots with different establishment years (15-20 years, 30-40 years, 50-60 years) for a 2-year field study. We collected seed trap and soil seed bank samples annually from these plots. The collected seeds were germinated indoors, and vegetation surveys were conducted each year. The similarity of species composition between aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and soil seed bank were analyzed using the Sørensen similarity index (SI) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination methods. Additionally, we quantitatively analyzed the relative contributions of seed source availability versus dispersal limitation to the formation of the soil seed bank.

Results: Our results indicated that the seed rain composition in sand-fixing vegetation areas with different establishment years was dominated by annual herbs, with their density dynamics showing a bimodal distribution pattern in July and November, controlled by the phenology of seed dispersal. The highest seed rain density was observed in sand-fixing vegetation established for 30-40 years. The soil seed bank composition in these areas was primarily composed of annual herbs, exhibiting characteristics of both transient and persistent seed banks, with a tendency towards persistent seed banks. However, seeds of Caragana korshinskii showed typical transient soil seed bank characteristics. The highest soil seed bank density was found in the surface soil layer and in areas established for 30-40 years. Aboveground vegetation in sand-fixing areas generally exhibited a simple structure. The similarity between mobile dune areas and areas established for 50-60 years was higher than that between areas established for the 15-20 years and those established for 30-40 years. Furthermore, the similarity between soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation was higher than that between seed rain and aboveground vegetation. Regarding the similarity in monthly species composition, the highest similarity within groups was found in the soil seed bank, followed by aboveground vegetation. Additionally, our species composition similarity results between aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and soil seed bank, showed no significant differences using both SI and NMDS ordination methods. Both methods revealed that similarities between aboveground vegetation, seed rain, and soil seed banks tend to increase with sand-fixing duration.

Conclusion: Persistent soil seed banks serve as a potential driving force for long-term vegetation renewal, while seed rain enhances the potential for vegetation regeneration. In this study, we determined that sand-fixing vegetation areas in the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, as well as the occurrence of seed rain, the composition of the soil seed bank, and the characteristics of aboveground vegetation, exhibit significant differences in species and habitat. Additionally, we found that as the duration of sand-fixing increases, the degree of connection among the three components (seed rain, soil seed bank, and aboveground vegetation) also increases, tending to form a local soil seed bank supplementation mechanism that supports the cyclical renewal and maintenance processes of aboveground vegetation.

Aims: Plant community structure and diversity patterns research is valuable for revealing the mechanism of biodiversity maintenance. The Qinling Mountains are in the transition zone at the north-south climate dividing line where the flora and fauna meet. This region is an important platform for studying the plant community structure and diversity distribution pattern in the transition zone.

Methods: According to standards of Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS), the Smithson Institute for Tropical Research, we establish ten 1 ha (100 m × 100 m) long-term positional monitoring plots from 800 m to 2,600 m in the middle part of the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains. We conduct community surveys using our plots with the Qinling Huangguan forest plot as the core. Initially, we analyze the elevation gradient pattern of the species composition, systematic characters, diameter class structure, spatial distribution of dominant species, and species diversity of woody plants with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm.

Results: (1) We investigate a total of 208 seed plant species belonging to 50 families and 109 genera. The genera in the temperate zone account for 69.7% of the total number of genera, and the temperate zone is obvious. With increasing elevation, rare and occasional species and the composition of families, genera and species of the plant community show a unimodal pattern of increasing first and then decreasing. The dominant species of the community has obvious turnover along the elevational gradient, and the middle elevation shows the transitional nature of broad-leaved oak and coniferous fir forests. (2) The overall structure of DBH size class of all woody plant individuals generally shows an inverse “J” type. In terms of elevation, except for the bimodal distribution of woody plants at 1,600 m and 2,000 m, the rest of the elevation showed an inverted “J” shape, and the community structure is generally more stable. The spatial point pattern of dominant species at different elevations shows an aggregated distribution within the 1-10 m scale, which gradually changes to random and uniform distribution as the scale increased. With increasing elevation and removal of habitat heterogeneity, the scale range of aggregated distributions decreases and the scale range of random distributions increases. (3) In increasing elevation species richness shows a significant unimodal distribution pattern with the peak occurring between 1,200 m and 1,400 m. Changes in Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index, Pielou evenness index along the elevational gradient shows a significant bimodal pattern, with both peaks occurring in 1,000-1,200 m, and 2,000-2,200 m. β diversity (Bray-Curtis index and Jaccard index) shows a unimodal trend along the elevational gradient.

Conclusion: Our study forms the foundation for the construction of long-term monitoring and a basic database of forests in the subtropical-warm temperate transition zone. This research provides a theoretical basis for the conservation of biodiversity in this transition zone and for sustainable forest management.

Background: The Earth is approaching a critical tipping point of irreversible biodiversity loss. As the latest global action plan for biodiversity conservation, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) sets out 4 long-term goals and 23 action targets. Tracking and assessing progress toward the KMGBF has become a global concern. However, challenges such as unclear progress, untimely monitoring, and incomplete evaluations remain prominent, highlighting the urgent need to address technical barriers like a large number of evaluation indicators, inconsistent assessment standards, and weak data foundations.
Aims: This study aims to explore rapid assessment methods for evaluating the implementation progress of the KMGBF using remote sensing monitoring. By integrating remote sensing-based and ground-based data, as well as combining quantitative and qualitative evaluations, this approach seeks to meet the multi-scale needs of quickly tracking the progress of the KMGBF.
Problems & Prospects: This paper first points out that the existing monitoring frameworks exhibit significant uncertainties in effectively assessing the progress of the KMGBF. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a more operationally robust set of indicators, indicator calculation methods, and high-quality datasets with higher spatial resolution and more frequent updates to ensure the timely and effective tracking and assessment of the KMGBF. Second, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of the application of remote sensing technology in biodiversity monitoring and evaluates its feasibility in assessing the progress of the KMGBF. Based on this analysis, a spatial intelligence service framework integrating data, knowledge, and computation is proposed to support ecosystem mapping, biodiversity mapping, and the development of remote sensing-based essential biodiversity variables (RS-EBVs). Finally, this paper advocates for a quantitative assessment approach based on RS-EBVs, complemented by a qualitative assessment derived from National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and National Reports (NRs). Additionally, it suggests leveraging artificial intelligence to develop an intelligent real-time monitoring system for the KMGBF, enabling rapid multi-scale progress assessments. These technological approaches aim to provide practical and feasible support for tracking the progress of the KMGBF and offer scientific evidence for countries to formulate and implement biodiversity conservation policies.

Background & Aims: In recent years, China’s rapid expansion of photovoltaics (PVs) and wind power capacity has triggered attention and discussions on their ecological issues. Effective mitigation measures and tools are urgently needed but remain underutilized. This study reviews domestic and international mitigation measures based on the ecological impacts of onshore centralized PVs and wind power plants.

Review results: Our findings indicate that early site planning is the most effective and cost-efficient approach to avoiding adverse impacts. From a landscape perspective, key planning methods for mitigating ecological impacts include the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and sensitivity mapping for risk screening, the Development by Design (DbD), combination of spatial planning and sensitivity mapping, and compatibility assessments between renewable energy and biological resources for integrated spatial planning. These methods help guide the renewable energy siting process based on ecological impacts and risks.

Recommendations: We propose five priorities for improving site selection and mitigation of ecological impacts in China: (1) Enhancing research on ecological impacts of PVs and wind power plants, focusing on endangered and sensitive species and their habitats, and developing mitigation strategies; (2) Simplifying siting methods and decision-making tools, and training professionals for effective implementation; (3) Strengthening cross-sector coordination to align land-use planning with solar and wind power development, and optimizing tools for ecological-friendly site selection for renewable energy projects, particularly in repurposing areas like abandoned mines. New projects must incorporate mitigation measures into design before construction; (4) Establishing a continuous ecological impact monitoring system to assess and adapt mitigation measures over time; (5) Strengthening policy support for ecological-friendly wind and solar development, by issuing technical guidelines and standards for ecological conservation and restoration. Policies should be adapted to local conditions, avoiding “one-size-fits-all” approach, and promoting innovative, eco-friendly renewable energy development models.

The author has been engaged in taxonomic research for 60 years, from Flora of China to world monographs, and has been recognized both at home and abroad. During this process, the author has realized that a complete and reasonable research method is of vital importance. Taxonomy is a highly comprehensive discipline, involving almost all branches of biology, among which morphology, palynology, cytology, genetics, molecular biology and statistics are indispensable. Taking the research on the genus Paeonia (Paeoniaceae) and the genus Codonopsis (Campanulaceae) and their related groups as examples, the author has applied all the above-mentioned disciplines, emphasizing that field investigation and statistical analysis are indispensable research methods. Only through field investigation can necessary experimental materials be obtained and between the population polymorphism and interspecific differences be distinguished; only through statistical analysis can intraspecific variations and genetic isolation be differentiated. The rise of molecular systematics has brought taxonomy into a brand-new era, and taxonomists must recognize and learn it. My team has applied it in the above two studies and achieved unexpected results. My feeling is that high-level research must be based on complete scientific methods.

Background & Aims: With the integrated development of earth sciences and life sciences, geogenomics—an interdisciplinary field integrating geology, geomorphology, paleoclimatology, genomics, phylogenetics, population genetics, and biogeography—links surface landscape changes to biological evolution. This field has become an effective way for testing geological hypotheses and reconstructing Earth’s history, as well as exploring its co-evolution with life. Geogenomics also shows significant potential in global ecological conservation.

Methods: In this review, we utilized the Web of Science core collection, and analyze the evolution of themes and hotspots in geogenomics through bibliometric analysis. Meanwhile, we systematically introduce the fundamental concepts and key scientific questions of geogenomics, as well as its relationship to related research fields.

Review Results: As an emerging interdisciplinary field, geogenomics deeply integrates geological, climatic, and genomic data to inverts the spatio-temporal patterns and interactions between geological structure movements and the history and distribution changes of biological groups. This field holds significant promise for advancing geological and biological evolution. We focus on five key aspects: testing geological hypotheses; elucidating regional or intercontinental scale geological processes; inferring regional biodiversity evolution history; addressing uncertainties in geological reconstruction and scale effects, as well as the geographical distribution patterns and dispersal origins of pathogens.

Perspectives: At present, research in this field is still limited in China, but it has been carried out on several important scientific questions, such as the uplift history was highly variable of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the evolution of the Yangtze River and Yellow River systems. In the future, it is imperative to enhance the application of multidisciplinary approaches, develop more effective tools, and advocate for the establishment of a global geogenomics research database.

Background & Aims: Guangdong Province, located at the southern tip of China’s mainland, is one of the most representative areas of subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests in China. Its complex and diverse ecosystem harbors approximately 6,658 native wild higher plant species. However, rapid economic development and high population density pose significant challenges to plant diversity protection. In response, the Guangdong Forestry Bureau has formulated the Planning of Plant Ex situ Conservation System in Guangdong Province (2024-2035) to advance research in plant conservation, promote the exploration and application of plant resources, and support sustainable economic and social development.

Results: The plan confronts current existing challenges and deficiencies by enhancing coordination among ex situ conservation institutions in the Pearl River Delta city cluster and in the eastern, western, and northern regions of Guangdong. (1) It establishes a three-level conservation framework comprising national, regional, and native botanical gardens, with the national botanical garden as the central core, supported by regional and native sites. (2) The plan also introduces a structured system for promoting, withdrawing, and assessment to enable dynamic supervision of regional and native botanical gardens. (3) To optimized ex situ conservation outcomes, the plan recommends a comprehensive strategy involving “Homologous Lineage-Transplantation and Ex situ Conservation” and “Near situ Conservation” to preserve critically threatened plants in different regions of Guangdong. (4) The plan also emphasized the development of conservation institutions, advanced management platforms, research facilities, and skilled teams. Together, these initiatives aim to create a dynamic, effective ex situ conservation network, an innovation-driven research system, a diversified green industry, an interdisciplinary talent training system, and a region-specific natural education program. This comprehensive development will enhance the institutional capacity of ex situ conservation efforts in Guangdong.

Outlook: By 2035, the plan targets protecting over 80% of the key protected wild plants and over 70% of the rare and endangered wild plants distributed in Guangdong Province. This initiative aims to create a model of integrated plant protection and sustainable utilization, positioning Guangdong as a leading region in national biodiversity conservation. This plan offers both theoretical support and practical guidance for the high-quality development of regional biodiversity conservation across the region in the new era.