History
Conservation International began its China programme in 2002. [1] [2] From 2002 to 2009, programme work focused on mountainous biodiversity regions of southwest China and developed projects around flagship species including the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey. [1] By 2006, the programme operated through offices in Beijing, Chengdu and Kunming, and its southwest China activities included biodiversity surveys, conservation monitoring systems, staff training, and community-based conservation and development initiatives. [3]
In southwest China, researchers affiliated with Conservation International in Beijing published peer-reviewed research on wildlife trade and consumption, based on fieldwork in the region. [5]
In Yunnan, the programme cooperated on a pilot project on payments for ecosystem services in and around the Lashihai Nature Reserve near Lijiang, including work on scheme design and implementation arrangements for watershed-related services and conservation objectives. [6] [7]
From 2009, CI China expanded into additional areas including freshwater conservation and wetland work. [1] [2] In 2019, the programme launched work in the Poyang Lake basin applying the Freshwater Health Index approach to identify challenges and prioritize actions for wetland ecosystem protection and sustainable resource use. [2] [8]
Activities by location
Selected programme locations in China (1 Beijing, 2 Chengdu, 3 Kunming, 4 Guangzhou, 5 Nanchang (Poyang Lake basin), 6 Lijiang (Lashihai Nature Reserve), 7 Heyuan (Dongjiang River basin))
Beijing
CI China is based in Beijing, and by 2006 the programme operated through an office in the city. [1] [3]
Southwest China mountains
In the mid-2000s, programme activity focused on mountain landscapes of southwest China, including parts of Yunnan, Sichuan, the Tibet plateau and adjacent areas of Qinghai and Gansu. [3] Documented activities included biodiversity surveys, development of conservation monitoring systems, training for local and government staff, and community-based conservation and development initiatives, including forest restoration with native species and standards for eco-friendly tourism, alongside work addressing wildlife trade and consumption and engagement with businesses. [3]
Yunnan: Lijiang and Lashihai Nature Reserve
In Yunnan, the programme cooperated on a pilot project on payments for ecosystem services at and around the Lashihai Nature Reserve near Lijiang, including work on designing and testing compensation and incentive mechanisms linked to land use and environmental services. [6] [7]
Jiangxi: Nanchang and the Poyang Lake basin
In the Poyang Lake basin in Jiangxi, CI China launched work in 2019 applying the Freshwater Health Index approach to identify challenges and prioritize actions for wetland ecosystem protection and sustainable resource use. [2] [8] The Freshwater Health Index project documentation describes Poyang Lake as China's largest freshwater lake and locates the basin-scale work around the Poyang Lake system and the provincial capital, Nanchang. [9] A third phase of the Poyang Lake Ecosystem Restoration Initiative was launched in 2024. [10]
Guangdong: Guangzhou and the Dongjiang River basin
As of 2021, Conservation International maintained a field project team in Guangzhou. [4] In the Dongjiang River basin in Guangdong, Conservation International and the IUCN led a consortium that coordinated a Freshwater Health Index assessment. The Dongjiang is a primary water source for more than 40 million people. [11]
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