Biodiversity of China

Biodiversity study has grown rapidly in China in the past few decades, spanning from foundation biodiversity surveys to focusing on the process that drives evolution throughout dynamic environments like the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We look at studies on species lists, biodiversity supervising, biodiversity sources, ranges, preservation and concerns, biodiversity-related ecological processes, and species and ecosystem reactions to climatic changes. However, many habitats are being destroyed, and their crucial life-support services are being lost due to anthropogenic activities and global warming.

China is home to a diverse range of wildlife, with more than 10,000 species recorded so far. This acknowledges simply a negligible portion of the complete number of animals in the country. China’s biodiversity is important for many reasons including providing food and economic benefits for people and animals alike.

Why is Biodiversity Important in China?

Biodiversity is important for a number of reasons.

• Firstly, it provides food and economic benefits for people and animals alike. For example, wildlife can be used to produce meat, milk, eggs or skin products. Wildlife also provides a valuable source of income for people who work in the tourism industry.
• Secondly, biodiversity helps to protect natural resources. By studying the different types of wildlife in China, we can learn how to protect our environment from damage.
• Finally, biodiversity helps to preserve cultural heritage. By preserving different types of wildlife, we can help to keep Chinese culture alive for future generations.

How Do Plants, Animals, and Wetlands Affect biodiversity?

The term biodiversity can refer to the diversity of plants, animals, and other organisms and their genetic resources and environment. Wetlands provide good quality water and stream flows and are home to many threatened species genera. 

Plant Species

China is one of the world’s wealthiest countries regarding plant species, aside from the diverse flora, which includes over 33,000 vascular plants. Because of its profoundly different topographical highlights and environmental conditions (subtropical and tropical), Yunnan Province is home to the more significant part of the vascular plants in China, involving almost 17,000 species. At the same time, it, as it were, represents 4% of the absolute region. Of these, 15,000 are angiosperms, 100 gymnosperms, 1500 pteridophytes, and 1500 bryophytes.

There’s a lot of environmental variation here and a lot of wild and produced germplasm which leads to the development of new species. China is also a key location of origin and diversity for seed plants on Earth and is especially rich in phylogenetic relationships between primitive taxa and/or Paleoendemism.

Factors that threatened Plant Species

There are some factors which are also responsible for the extinction of plant species –

• The cumulative effects of habitat loss and dispersion, industrial pollution, over-exploitation of environmental assets, and, to a lesser extent, foreign species introduction have irreversibly harmed China’s plant biodiversity.
• Up to 5000 plant species are threatened in China, with some genera having already gone extinct. Although government officials have made considerable efforts and support to protect biodiversity, more work can be done.
• The absence of efficient and appropriate environmental regulation and awareness are other issues contributing to China’s continued loss of plant biodiversity.

Animals Diversity

• There are a number of reasons why many of China’s animals are threatened with extinction. One major issue is the country’s rapid development, which has led to pollution and habitat loss. Additionally, hunting and trading these animals for their parts is also a big problem.
• The most serious risks to biodiversity in China are loss of habitat and deterioration caused by humans and industrialization. Amphibians, reptiles, and mammals are also threatened by overexploitation and environmental degradation.

Marsh Wetlands

Wetland biodiversity refers to the variety of wetland ecosystems and biological species. Every species of plants, animals, and microorganisms and their genes, ecosystems, and habitat are considered part of diversification.

China’s wetlands can be separated into naturally wetland ecosystems, such as mires, lakeshores, bottomland, seashores, wet meadows, and so on, and artificial wetland ecologies such as paddy fields, based on their origins and origination.

How do Wetlands get affected?

• Approx 90 per cent of wetlands have already been destroyed or drained for the construction of farmlands. Mostly climate drift is the main cause of destroying wetlands.
• Besides climatic conditions, overfishing is also a significant contributor to wetlands destruction.
• Yangtse reported degrading marsh wetlands due to pollution caused by industries or factories.

How Can We Help Protect China’s Biodiversity?

There are a number of ways that we can help protect China’s biodiversity.

• Firstly, we can work to prevent habitat destruction and poaching by educating nearby tribes and villagers.
• Secondly, we can work to reduce pollution levels, overfishing and deforestation. To reduce these issues, we need to adopt some effective strategies like using recycled materials, reducing fishing and using electric vehicles instead of using petrol or diesel vehicles.
• Finally, we can help preserve Chinese cultural heritage by protecting different types of wildlife. It can be accomplished by raising public awareness of the value of diversification and motivating tourists to explore wildlife reserves.

Conclusion

China’s biodiversity is an important resource that should be preserved. There are many threats to this biodiversity, but they could be overcome with concerted effort. We really shall cooperate to safeguard this significant asset and animals on Earth. To protect China’s biodiversity, we need to work together to protect habitats, use resources carefully, educate ourselves and others about the importance of conservation and support legislation and regulations.