Aims: Understanding the origins and domestication processes of cultivated crops, is crucial for understanding human civilization. Trapa, commonly known as water caltrop, belongs to the family Lythraceae and is an annual floating-leaf aquatic herb. As a traditional aquatic vegetable crop, the fruit of Trapa has long been a significant food source in early Chinese agricultural societies. However, in recent years, rapid urbanization in China has resulted in habitat destruction, posing a serious threat to its genetic diversity. Moreover, ‘Nanhuling’, a major cultivar of Trapa, holds high economic and cultural value, yet its origin and domestication history are not fully understood.
Methods: In this study, we employed population genomics to investigate the genetic diversity of cultivated water caltrop and the domestication history of ‘Nanhuling’. The dataset for this study was generated by whole-genome resequencing of 31 diploid cultivated T. natans and 23 diploid wild T. natans samples.
Results: Population genetic structure and differentiation indicated that wild and cultivated T. natans belonged to distinct gene pools. Cultivated T. natans originated from the diploid wild T. natans in the Yangtze River Basin. The overall genetic diversity level of cultivated T. natans is lower than that of wild T. natans (0.68 × 10⁻³ vs. 1.35 × 10⁻³), and the effective population size is significantly reduced compared to wild T. natans (~4,000 vs. ~7,700), suggesting that cultivated T. natans experienced a genetic bottleneck during domestication. Among cultivated T. natans, ‘Nanhuling’ exhibited the lowest level of genetic diversity and the slowest decay rate of linkage disequilibrium, which may be related to its high degree of domestication and strong selection pressure. Based on the population dynamic history inferred from the FASTSIMCOAL2 ancestral simulation model, we found that there had been gene flow events among ‘Nanhuling’, ‘Wuling’, and other cultivated T. natans. The domestication of ‘Nanhuling’ occurred approximately 669 years ago, consistent with literary records from the Ming Dynasty.
Conclusions: This study is significant as it deepens our understanding of the domestication and genetic evolution of cultivated T. natans. Insights gained from this work may help improve agriculturally valuable characteristics of T. natans, such as crop yields and nutrient content.

Aim: Acclimation training plays a critical role in reintroduction of Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon). Effective behavior training before releasing animals into the wild, to some extent, determines whether the released individuals can survive and reproduce successfully in the environment. Currently, there is still a lack of in-depth and systematic researches as well as quantitative indicators on the behavior of Crested Ibis, making it difficult to scientifically evaluate the adaptability of individuals and the effectiveness of acclimation training. Therefore, it is necessary to establish and refine the ethogram and posture-act-environment (PAE) coding system for the Crested Ibis, exploring practical applications of the PAE-coded ethogram. This will lay a foundation for behavioral monitoring and behavioral ecology of acclimated Crested Ibis.
Methods: Based on observations from December 2009 to January 2011, and from June to September 2023, we used focal-animal sampling and instantaneous and scan sampling methods in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, and instantaneous and scan sampling method in Crested Ibis Ecological Park in Yang County, Shaanxi Province, to observe and record the behavior of Crested Ibis acclimated in large cages. Then, we explored the impact of sampling methods on the behavioral diversity of Crested Ibis in Yancheng City. In addition, we calculated the behavioral diversity of Crested Ibis and compared the differences between Yancheng City and Yang County.
Results: We refined the ethogram and PAE coding system for Crested Ibis during the non-breeding season. Specifically, we identified and defined a total of 112 behaviors categorized into 19 groups: 74 individual behaviors in 12 categories, 19 interactive behaviors in 2 categories, 7 community behaviors in 2 categories, and 12 abnormal behaviors in 3 categories. In addition, we coded 9 postures (P codes), 112 acts (A codes), and 13 environments (E codes) within PAE coding system for Crested Ibis. The analysis results showed that in natural behaviors, the absolute diversity (H) and maximal diversity (H_max) in focal-animal sampling were significantly higher than those in instantaneous and scan sampling, with no significant difference in relative diversity (R). For abnormal behaviors, the absolute diversity (H) and maximal diversity (H_max) in focal-animal sampling were also significantly higher than those in instantaneous and scan sampling, while the relative diversity (R) was significantly lower than that in instantaneous and scan sampling. Moreover, for natural behaviors, the absolute diversity (H) and maximal diversity (H_max) of Crested Ibis undergoing acclimation training in Yancheng were significantly lower than those of Crested Ibis in Yang County, with the relative diversity (R) being significantly higher than that of Crested Ibis in Yang County.
Conclusion: Based on the PAE coding system, our study calculated the behavioral diversity of Crested Ibis to validate the feasible pathway of the PAE coding system in simplify animal behavior recording and quantitative analysis. Our study provided a significant example of correctly selecting sampling methods in animal behavior observation and recording. The results indicated that the variability or uncertainty of animal behavior patterns (i.e. behavioral diversity) at different sites can indirectly reflect environmental conditions of acclimation training animals. This provided a “behavioral dictionary” and behavior-based assessment methods for monitoring the health condition and selecting the best breeding individuals among captive animals. In addition, our study offered an important scientific evaluation method for assessing the wild adaptability of endangered wild animals and the effectiveness of acclimation training before their release into the wild.

Aims: This field investigation attempts to determine the diversity and distributions patterns of grasshopper species across different grassland types in the middle zone of the Qilian Mountains in western China, and to analyze the relationship between grasshopper diversity and environmental factors.
Methods: From June to August in the years 2021 to 2023, grasshoppers were collected utilizing sweep netting across various types of grasslands situated in the middle zone of the northern Qilian Mountains. Simultaneously, Grassland vegetation composition was investigated, and environmental data were extracted using ArcGIS.
Results: A total of 6,176 grasshoppers were collected, encompassing 48 species from 28 genera and 9 families, including 1 new record species for Gansu Province. The highest number of grasshopper species was found in mountain steppe, followed by temperate desert and temperate desert steppe, with the lowest in alpine desert. The dominant species were different among different type of grasslands. Myrmeleotettix palpalis was widely distributed except in alpine desert, swamp meadow and lowland meadows. Epacromius coerulipes, Oxya adentata, and Euchorthippus vittatus were found only in swamp meadow and lowland meadow, while Ptygomastax longifemora was exclusive to alpine desert. Grasshopper communities showed extreme similarity between alpine shrub meadow, as well as between mountain steppe and mountain meadow. Moderate similarity was observed between mountain meadow and alpine meadow, temperate grassland desert and temperate desert steppe, and temperate desert and temperate grassland desert. Shannon-Wiener diversity index for grasshopper was significantly higher in mountain meadow and temperate grassland desert than in other grassland types. Simpson dominance index was significantly higher in temperate desert, temperate grassland desert, and mountain meadow. Pielou evenness index was highest in alpine desert, while species richness was highest in mountain meadow, mountain steppe, and alpine shrub meadow. Vegetation cover was significantly higher in swamp meadow, mountain meadow, alpine meadow, and alpine shrub meadow compared to other types of grasslands. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson dominance index, and Margalef richness index includes vegetation were highest in alpine meadow, and lowest in temperate grassland desert. Pielou evenness index was highest in alpine shrub meadow and lowest in alpine desert. At a regional scale, climate had the greatest impact on grasshopper species diversity and distribution, with lesser effect from soil and vegetation.
Conclusion: The complex and diverse topography, along with the various grassland types in the northern Qilian Mountains, drives the diversity of grasshopper species and the heterogeneity of species distribution in this area. Each grasshopper species has its specific grassland habitats and ecological amplitude. The climate serves as the primary factor influencing the diversity and distribution of grasshoppers on the regional scale.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to clarify the changes of a soil fauna community in the poplar-birch forest of Guandi Mountains along the altitude gradient and the resulting effects of environmental factors on its diversity.
Methods: Four sampling plots were set up along an elevation gradient in the poplar-birch forest (1,600 m, 1,800 m, 2,000 m, 2,200 m). Soil fauna in different soil layers under the forest were investigated in May, July and October of 2022 and 2023. The different characteristics of soil fauna community structure and diversity index in the poplar-birch forest at different elevations were analyzed by the one-way univariate analysis, and using Jaccard similarity index and Cody index to compare the similarity of the soil fauna community at different elevations. Redundancy analysis was used to identify the environmental factors affecting the diversity of soil fauna at different elevations.
Results: The results showed that a total of 24,434 soil fauna of 127 species were captured in the forest plots across different elevations at Guandi Mountains. There were obvious differences in the differentiation characteristics of community composition along the elevation gradient. With the exception of the Simpson index, the α diversity indices of soil fauna communities at different elevations were significantly different (P < 0.05). The Jaccard index was very similar between the two adjacent elevations, and the species richness similarity was higher. Shannon-Wiener, Pielou and Margalef indices of soil fauna at different elevations all decreased with the increase of soil depth, suggesting super-aggregation. In terms of seasonal dynamics, diversity, richness and evenness indices were highest in the summer. Furthermore, the results of the redundancy analysis suggest that temperature, humidity and pH were the main environmental factors affecting soil fauna diversity at different elevations.
Conclusion: The diversity of the soil fauna community is different across elevation gradients, soil layers and seasonal dynamics. Environmental temperature, humidity and pH are the main environmental factors affecting the diversity of soil fauna community.

Aims: Biological soil crusts are an important landscape in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Leptolyngbya-like cyanobacteria are common groups of cyanobacteria found in biocrusts within arid ecosystem. However, their morphological characteristics are often subtle, making species-level differentiation based solely on morphological characteristics difficult. This study aims to enrich the understanding of the species diversity of biological crust cyanobacteria in arid and semi-arid regions by integrating morphological characteristics with molecular biology.
Method: In this study, six strains of Leptolyngbya-like cyanobacteria, isolated from the Gurbantunggut Desert and the Mu Us Desert, were identified by morphological characteristics, 16S rRNA molecular sequences, and ITS (internal transcribed spacer) secondary structure methods.
Results: The results showed that all the experimental cyanobacterial strains belonged to 4 species and 4 genus of 3 families, 2 orders, including Leptolyngbya boryana of Leptolyngbya and Myxacorys californica of Myxacorys in Leptolyngbyaceae, Trichocoleus desertorum of Trichocoleus in Trichocoleusaceae of Leptolynabgales, and Oculatella coburniia of Oculatella in Oculatellaceae of Oculatellales.
Conclusion: We found Oculatellales as a new record order in China, along with Trichocoleusaceae and Oculatellaceae as new record families, Myxacorys, Trichocoleus, and Oculatella as new record genera. Additionally, T. desertorum, M. californica, and O. coburniia are newly recorded species in China. These findings enhance our understanding of cyanobacterial diversity in biocrusts in desert areas.

Aims: Soil bacteria play an important role in maintaining forest ecosystem function and soil nutrient cycling. The Huoditang forest area is a representative region in the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains, but the altitude distribution pattern of soil bacterial communities in its coniferous forests is still unclear. Our study aims to explore the distribution of soil bacterial communities in the Huoditang coniferous forests, as well as provide basic data and decision-making references for further research to protect the Qinling ecosystem.
Methods: Soil samples were collected from two typical coniferous forests (Tsuga chinensis forest and Larix principis-rupprechtii forest) from a range of altitudes. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to characterize the soil microbial communities. Canonical correspondence and correlation analyses were used to identify the driving factors that affect the soil microbial communities in these areas.
Results: (1) There was no significant difference in the α-diversity of soil microbial communities in coniferous forests at different altitudes, but the β-diversity changed significantly. (2) The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria, which accounted for 66.02%-73.78% of the total bacteria. At the genus level, the bacterial community composition varied greatly with altitude. (3) Our LEfSe (linear discriminant analysis effect size) and FAPROTAX (functional annotation of prokaryotic taxa) functional prediction also indicated that high-altitude coniferous forest soils were mainly enriched in Proteobacteria with nitrogen (N) cycle-related functions, while low- and mid-altitude coniferous forest soils were largely enriched in Acidobacteria and carbon (C) cycle-related functions. (4) Altitude, pH, TK and C/N were also correlated with bacterial community structure. Proteobacteria were positively correlated with altitude and C/N, while Acidobacteria were negatively correlated. However, Actinobacteria were negatively correlated with pH and positively correlated with TK.
Conclusion: In summary, the composition and structure of soil bacterial communities in the Huoditang coniferous forests changed significantly with the altitudinal gradient, which greatly influenced their function. Together, this study creates an in-depth understanding of the changes and driving mechanisms of soil bacterial community composition in the Huoditang coniferous forests and provides a theoretical basis for their conservation and ecological restoration in the Qinling Mountains.

Aims: Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) trees are the dominant tree species in temperate forests and play a vital role in driving ecosystem functions, particularly soil nitrogen turnover. The proportion of EcM tree species within a community is believed to influence the relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem function; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of tree species richness, the proportion of EcM tree species, and various biotic and abiotic factors on nitrogen turnover and availability in soil collected from different habitats and depths within a warm-temperate forest ecosystem.
Methods: Soil samples were collected over time from a 20-ha plot in the warm-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest of Dongling Mountain. Each sample was analyzed to determine the net nitrogen mineralization rate (R_m), nitrification rate (R_n), and concentration of inorganic nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^‒-N). Soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification are crucial ecological processes that indicate soil nitrogen availability. We also assessed the presence of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), which are key drivers of soil nitrogren processes.
Result: The proportion of EcM tree species had a stronger, and habitat-dependent effect on soil nitrogen turnover and availability compared to tree species richness. Specifically, R_m, R_n, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^‒-N significantly decreased with increasing proportions of EcM tree species in low altitude areas with gentle slopes and mid altitude steep slopes. Additionally, while NH₄⁺-N significantly decreased, R_n increased with greater tree species richness in low altitude areas with gentle slopes. Soil inorganic nitrogen was limited by the proportion of EcM tree species in subsoil and deep soil layers than in topsoil, with both NH₄⁺-N and NO₃^‒-N significantly decreasing as the proportion of EcM tree species increased. Further, R_m, R_n, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^‒-N showed stong correaltions with the proportion of EcM tree species, tree species richness, soil moisture, and the presence of AOA and AOB. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that soil moisture, AOA, and AOB were major contributers to variations in R_m, R_n, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^‒-N.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the proportion of EcM tree species, rather than overall tree species richness, plays a more critical role in influencing soil nitorgen turnover and availability in the warm-temperate forest ecosystem. This effect is primarily associated with soil moisture, and AOA and AOB. Our findings are significant for developing a theoretical framework that explores the relationships between tree species richness, the proportion of EcM tree species, and ecosystem functions. Moreover, our findings strengthen our capacity for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management in warm-temperate forest ecosystems.

Aims: Common welfare is one of the three foundational concepts in the establishment of Chinese national parks. Existing research predominantly focused on theoretical and qualitative analyses, with few empirical explorations and quantitative discussions, resulting in limited scientific guidance and support for the conservation practices. Therefore, this study aims to provide empirical evidence and scientific reference for achieving common welfare in Chinese national parks by proposing a comprehensive indicator framework.
Methods: This study draws on three dimensions, owned by all, participated by all, and shared by all, and proposes 15 common welfare indicators. Using questionnaire surveys and methodologies such as linear discriminant analysis and hierarchical regression analysis, a quantitative assessment of common welfare was conducted based on the perceptions of stakeholders in the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP).
Results: The results showed that the overall common welfare in the GPNP was generally perceived positively. However, perceptions varied among stakeholder groups: local management agencies and governments held the most positive views, local communities had the most negative perceptions, while local enterprises, experts, and visitors maintained a neutral stance.
Conclusion: To achieve common welfare, increased attention should be directed toward the local communities. In particular, comprehensive promotion of community co-management and improvement of the ecological compensation mechanism are essential. Furthermore, enhancing communication among stakeholders and optimizing their participation are crucial steps in this process.

Background & Aims: With the development and advancement of artificial intelligence technology, large language models (LLMs), such as Kimi Chat, have begun to play a significant role in biodiversity research. LLMs’s deep learning and natural language processing technologies, augmented by human feedback reinforced learning (RLHF) and proximal policy optimization (PPO), offer new avenues for handling and analyzing large biodiversity data sets.
Progresses: We explore the application of LLMs, taking Kimi Chat as an example, in investigating biodiversity research questions, reviewing literature, designing hypotheses, organizing and analyzing data, and writing research papers, as well as its potential to enhance research efficiency and quality. (1) LLMs can quickly process vast amounts of scientific literature, helping researchers distill key information and swiftly catch up with the latest research trends in specific fields. (2) LLMs can also assist researchers in formulating research hypotheses and designing experimental protocols, thereby providing abundant scientific inspiration, broadening research perspectives, and enhancing the efficiency of the initial stages of research. (3) In terms of research design, LLMs can offer advice on data collection methods, design of experiment, and statistical analyses to ensure the scientific validity and the logic of the research design. (4) LLMs can assist in scientific writing and peer review processes by helping draft scientific papers and providing suggestions for revision and polishing to enhance the quality and readability of the papers, and it also supports researchers in understanding and responding to peer review comments and optimizing the presentation of research findings. We also discuss the challenges and limitations encountered during using LLMs, such as the need for professional judgment, the homogenization of research methods, the accuracy of data and results, and ethical issues. Additionally, we propose strategies for integrating this technology with traditional biodiversity research methods in the future.
Prospects: We demonstrates how LLMs can aid in biodiversity research, thus advancing scientific discovery and ecological conservation strategies.

Aims: The foundation of biodiversity study is the accurate description of existing species and a clear enumeration of their numbers. A comprehensive checklist is the basic data for understanding and conserving biodiversity within a specific region. To thoroughly understand the current status of bryophyte diversity in Hebei Province, it is important to revise the list of bryophytes in the province.
Method: Based on our team’s research findings over the years and recent publications, this study compiles an updated checklist of bryophytes in Hebei Province. We analyzed the species composition, floristic characteristics, dynamic changes, and threatened status of bryophytes.
Results: The updated checklist documents 544 species across 190 genera and 76 families, including 468 mosses in 152 genera and 51 families, 75 liverworts in 37 genera and 24 families, and 1 hornwort. Among them, 8 families and 12 genera are dominant. The bryophyte flora of Hebei Province is predominantly characterized by northern temperate elements, with the proportion of temperate components outnumbering tropical ones. The checklist includes 33 species endemic to China, 4 Endangered species, and 5 Vulnerable species. Compared to the previous checklist, there are 10 newly recorded families, 34 newly recorded genera, and 162 newly recorded species, while 9 species have been removed and 86 names revised. The main newly reported groups include the families Mniaceae and Pottiaceae, and the genera Brachythecium and Bryum, etc.
Conclusions: The diversity of bryophytes in Hebei is relatively rich, though the investigation reveals regional imbalances. Future efforts should focus on strengthening bryophyte surveys in weak areas (e.g., Qinhuangdao, Tangshan, Handan), and timely updates to the checklist are necessary. In addition, under the background of global climate change, we should pay more attention to the dynamic changes in bryophyte populations to provide a scientific basis for the study and conservation of bryophyte diversity in Hebei Province.

Aims: Lizards represent the most diverse group of reptiles, and recently, the number of threatened lizard species has been increasing significantly. One contributing factor to the endangerment of lizards is trematode infection. The trematodes that infect lizards belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Platyhelminthes, and class Trematoda, primarily parasitizing the liver, gallbladder, bile duct, and gastrointestinal tract of lizards. Severe infections caused by these organisms can lead to gastrointestinal trematode disease in lizards. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the parasites that infect lizards. The objective is to provide essential information for the future conservation of lizards, the ecology of parasites, and public health.
Method: Utilizing the classification system of “Trematolgoy in China”, we compiled data on lizard gastrointestinal trematodes from 1919 to 2023. The latest research findings systematically organize the trematodes according to their taxonomic status, as well as their scientific names in both Latin and Chinese, along with the scientific names of their lizard hosts in Latin and Chinese. Additionally, the impact of these trematodes on lizards was examined by cataloging infection sites within the lizards and mapping the geographic distribution of the trematodes. This work serves as a preliminary reference for lizard gastrointestinal trematodes worldwide.
Results: The gastrointestinal trematodes found in lizards worldwide belong to 2 orders, 25 families, and 52 genera, comprising a total of 124 species. The primary orders are Plagiorchiidae and Dicrocoeliida, which fall under the class Prosostomata. The continents with the highest diversity of gastrointestinal trematode species are Asia and South America, with India exhibiting the greatest diversity in Asia, followed closely by Brazil in South America. The largest number of trematode species has been identified in the Agamidae and its Draconinae, as well as in the genera Chamaeleo (Chamaeleonidae).
Conclusion: This paper examines the compositional characteristics of the preliminary list of gastrointestinal trematodes found in lizards and analyzes their contentious classification levels. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the scarcity of research on lizard digestive tract trematodes globally. This study synthesizes previous research on gastrointestinal trematodes in lizards worldwide, presenting a preliminary list of these parasites. This list provides essential theoretical data and serves as a reference for understanding the diversity of parasites in lizards. Furthermore, it offers insights into the impact of climate change on parasite infections and establishes a framework for investigating parasitic threats to other species.

Here is a dataset offers the information on fluorescence, photosynthesis gas exchange, and leaf traits for 48 species in the tropical rainforest of Qixianling Hot Spring National Forest Park in Baoting, Hainan, China. This dataset consists of 5 subsets in total. This dataset consists of five parts: (1) Species list file; (2) Raw data files of fluorescence photosynthetic gas exchange, totaling 5,328 records; (3) Leaf functional traits and environmental factors file, totaling 144 records; (4) Response curve fitting parameters files, totaling 432 records; (5) Species photographs. This dataset contributes valuable firsthand information to researchers, providing basic data for further studies on the photosynthetic physiological characteristics, ecological adaptation strategies, and responses to environmental changes of tropical plants.

A biodiversity study was conducted from July 7 to October 7 2021 in the Mt. Helanshan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China. Specimens were obtained through three passive collection methods: flight interception trap (FIT), Malaise trap (MT), and pitfall trap (PT). The dataset comprises 20 sampling points with one FIT, one MT, and ten PTs each. In total, 9,984 beetles were collected from 30 families and 191 species. The dataset contains: (1) 816 original group photos of beetle specimens from the sampling points; (2) Group photos of beetle specimens labelled with their morphological species numbers; (3) A quantitative statistical table of beetle specimens; (4) Morphological species identification charts; (5) Information table of latitude, longitude, and altitude data for the sampling points; (6) A timeline of sample collection and field photos of the sampling points. This dataset not only provides effective and feasible passive collection methods for gathering beetles but also quantitatively assesses beetle diversity in Helan Mountain, thereby enriching related research.

Background: Experimental evolution is the study of evolutionary processes and consequences in experimental populations under conditions controlled by investigators. Experimental evolution is a prospective research approach, in contrast to the majority of studies in evolutionary biology that are retrospective. Given the advantages of experimental evolution, a growing number of evolutionary biologists have used this research tool to test critical hypotheses associated with the modern evolutionary synthesis.
Subjects & Field: Subjects of experimental evolution could be real or virtual organisms; and evolution experiments with real organisms can be carried out in laboratory or in the field. Microorganisms are often used as materials in experimental evolution studies because of their rapid growth and reproduction, and the ease of preservation. Experimental microbial evolution has been used to study topics including the dynamics of adaptive evolution, patterns of population differentiation and species coevolution, and even the origin of multicellularity. It also has obvious advantages in addressing the roles of contingency and determinism in evolution and predicting evolutionary processes under global change.
Conclusion: The experimental evolution approach has been used more widely in recent years, though its limitations do exist. This method will play an increasingly important role in research, industry, and education in future.

Background: The 27th Meeting (PC27) of the Plants Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held from 8 to 13 July 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, attended by 190 representatives of 46 Parties and 30 observer organizations from around the world.
Progress: This meeting included 42 agenda items, mainly discussing the progress in the implementation, and approving some revised drafts of resolutions and decisions for submission to the 20th Conference of the Parties to the CITES (CoP 20). Specifically, the Review of Significant Trade in specimens of Appendix II species such as Aquilaria spp., Gyrinops spp., and Pterocarpus erinaceus was decided; the regulation and protection of products containing specimens of Appendix II Orchidaceae spp. was discussed; the new resolution of “Trade in medicinal and aromatic plant species” was postponed; the resolution of “Implementation of the Convention for agarwood-producing taxa” and the new “CITES Non-Detriment Findings Guidance” and “Guidance on the term artificially propagated” were approved for submission in this meeting.
Perspectives: PC27 reflected the concerted efforts made by all parties to ensure the sustainability of international trade in wild plants, promotes international cooperation and capacity building on CITES science and technology issues, and was also characterized by increased collaboration between CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity, expansion of its mandate, and weakening of the science. A new trend of the CITES Plants Committee appeared during PC27, from the establishment of a regulatory system for ornamental plants two decades ago, with a focus on the conservation and management of tropical and subtropical tree species a decade ago, to the current exploration of sustainable trade in medicinal and aromatic plants that are vital to health and livelihoods.
Recommendations: To implement the CITES more effectively, our country should consolidate the scientific foundation of CITES, improve the research capacity on Non-Detriment Findings, establish a talent team for CITES implementation, and promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild plants.