Monitoring milestones

Scientific research and biodiversity monitoring have long been important endeavors for conservationists at the Nanling National Nature Reserve in Guangdong province. Their dedication has led to an array of remarkable achievements, significantly advancing people's understanding and preservation of the rich and diverse ecosystem in the Nanling mountain range.

1. The first milestone was the joint construction of Guangdong Nanling Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station. In October 2021, it received official recognition from the Ministry of Science and Technology, joining the ranks of just 69 such national stations. It was a crucial step in filling a significant gap in global subtropical ecosystem observation.

2. The reserve completed its second terrestrial wildlife resource survey between 2012 and 2015. The comprehensive study culminated in the publication of The Study of Animal Diversity in Guangdong Nanling National Nature Reserve, documenting an impressive array of species: 65 fish species, 44 amphibians, 98 reptiles, 316 birds and 31 mammals.

3. The reserve set up a dedicated scientific monitoring team in 2015 and has continuously monitored birds and butterflies in the reserve ever since. The team members' meticulous work has resulted in the records of over 200 bird species and 276 butterfly species, adding 12 new bird species to the Nanling bird checklist.

4. Researchers established 46 plant sample plots, totaling 21.12 hectares. These plots, ranging from small 0.12-hectare plots to large one-hectare grids, were crucial for conducting the first thorough monitoring and survey of the area's vegetation and soil.

5. For two consecutive years, a grid of 112 locations in the Dadongshan and Chengjia areas of the reserve was equipped with 180 infrared cameras. These cameras captured the presence of 69 animal species, including 20 mammals and 49 birds.

6. The establishment of Nanling's first 20-hectare large-scale plot represented a significant investment in understanding the forest's intricate ecosystem. Monitoring revealed 132,905 individual trees, representing 229 species from 127 genera and 63 families. This extensive data is vital for understanding forest succession and the impact of global climate change.

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn