Nationwide networks established in China for biodiversity monitoring

China has established networks nationwide to monitor ecosystems and biological groups like terrestrial vertebrates, insects and freshwater fish, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Thursday.

Among the networks is the China Biodiversity Observation Network, or China BON, which tracks major biodiversity conservation projects and has already set up 749 monitoring areas in 31 provincial-level regions in China. It has obtained 1.8 million pieces of monitoring records and developed a national monitoring data information management platform.

The China Biodiversity Observation and Research Network, or Sino BON, established by the Chinese Academy of Science in 2013, created the world’s first forest monitoring and research network covering all altitudes. The Sino BON also has Asia’s largest real-time online bird monitoring system and database.

At present, China has preliminarily built a scientific and comprehensive long-time biodiversity monitoring system, said Wang Zhibin, an official with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, “and (China) has made a series of world-leading and advanced achievements.” 

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aimed at reversing biodiversity loss and setting the world on a path of recovery, was adopted at the COP15, formally known as the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. 

To facilitate the implementation of the targets, China is formulating national biodiversity conservation strategies and action plans for the new era while optimizing policies related to biodiversity protection, Wang said at a press conference on Thursday.

China is also working to establish a nature reserve system with national parks at its heart and build ex-situ conservation facilities such as zoos, botanical gardens, and ex-situ conservation centers, Wang said.

Efforts will be made to strengthen the investigation, monitoring, early warning, and control of invasive alien species in key areas and improve the management and control of invasive alien species, Wang noted.

The country will resolutely crack down on the illegal activities that damage the ecological environment and wildlife resources, said Wang, calling for public participation in biodiversity conservation.

(With input from Xinhua. Cover image is a Bryde’s whale foraging in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province. /CFP)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)

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