Kadoorie Conservation China (KCC) is a department under Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, which aims to minimize the loss of biodiversity and promote sustainability in China.
Kadoorie Conservation China (KCC) is a department under Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, which aims to minimize the loss of biodiversity and promote sustainability in China.
The department was first known as the South China Biodiversity Team (SCBT), which was set up in 1998 in response to the urgent threats faced by China's biodiversity particularly in the south. In 2003, it expanded its focus from biodiversity conservation to include promotion of sustainable agriculture and sustainable living, and was restructured to form the China Programme (CP). In 2011, it was again renamed to become Kadoorie Conservation China. The first ten years of the programme were engaged primarily in channelling reliable information about biodiversity and its threats; providing communication and cohesion within the regional conservation community; boosting the ecological capacity of conservation scientists and managers; and initiating conservation interventions, including those that brought benefits to communities around nature reserves. [1]
Yinggeling National Nature Reserve (YGL) sits deep in the interior mountains of Hainan Island, and was never properly studied by scientists before KCC conducted a pilot survey of the area in 2003, when team members were amazed by the extent of primary rainforest and rich biodiversity. In 2005, the Provincial Forestry Department and KCC led a 3-month expedition to study the area's biodiversity value. The team of over 60 specialists discovered a wealth of exciting biodiversity, including species new to science such as the Yinggeling tree frog ( Rhacophorus yinggelingensis ), [2] new records for China such as the tree Trigonobalanus verticillata , and over 160 new records for Hainan such as the tree Bretschneidera sinensis and pygmy wren-babbler (Pnoepyga pusilla). These findings underlined the irreplaceable conservation importance of YGL. [3] However, like many other forested areas, the biodiversity value of YGL was slowly being degraded, by illegal activities such as poaching and logging. To preserve this unique biodiversity asset, KCC has supported the Hainan Provincial Forestry Department to develop YGL into a world-class nature reserve, even assigning a conservation biologist to assist in reserve management since 2006. In a span of few years YGL has accomplished some achievements in reserve management, research & monitoring, and community-based conservation.[ citation needed ]
Since 2004, KCC has been working with partners to study Hainan's limestone forest and its conservation value; researchers supported by KCC found pristine rainforest and uncovered a lot of new species and new China records in this specialised ecosystem. In 2006, KCC and Hainan Provincial Forestry Department co-organized the workshop 'Hainan Limestone Habitats and their Biodiversity' and since 2009 KCC has sponsored the construction of a reserve station, provided capacity building to the local wardens, improved their patrolling effectiveness and provided field equipment.
In 2003, KCC was invited by the local authorities to take an active role in saving the Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus). The first comprehensive population survey, as well as a conservation workshop for the Hainan gibbon were launched. During the survey and workshop, [4] the existence of only 13 individuals in two groups was confirmed. In a hope to save the species from extinction, together with Bawangling National Nature Reserve, KCC implemented a series of in-situ conservation actions, including improvement of patrolling efficiency, establishment of the gibbon monitoring team, habitat enhancement of lowland habitat, in-depth scientific research, and educational activities. [5] [6] [7] The gibbon population has increased to 3 groups of at least 24 individuals in less than a decade. [8]
In 2006, the eastern black crested gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) was rediscovered in China by members of KCC after it was thought to be extinct in the country for years. [9]
KCC collaborated with Xidamingshan Nature Reserve and other partners to protect the Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) since July 2009. All-round conservation actions have been carried out, including scientific study, education and staff capacity building. [10]
Living Forests was a magazine published by KFBG/KCC from 2000 to 2010, to serve the community of conservationists active in South China. From the sixth issue onwards each issue had a particular theme, namely: (6) Community Power in Southwest China; (7) Holding On to Hainan's Forests; (8) Keeping South China's Ecosystems Intact; (9) Benign Harvests: Bringing Agriculture in Line with Biodiversity Conservation; (10) What is Environmental Education? (11) Reforesting South China: Beyond Planting Trees; (12) Roads Least Travelled: Ecotourism and Development in South China; (13) Knowledge to Practice: How can Science be Applied to Conservation Policy and Management?; (14) Countdown 2010: Are We Winning the Battle for Biodiversity?); (15) Full Table, Empty Forest: Can the Wildlife Trade be Controlled?; (16) The Challenge of the Century: Building Resilience to Peak Oil and Climate Change. [11]
Sustaining the Pulse: Managing for Biodiversity Conservation in South China's Forest Nature Reserve provides nature-reserve managers, especially those in the South China region, with the motivation, concepts, guidance and examples to help them in their vital work. [12]
Gibbons are apes in the family Hylobatidae. The family historically contained one genus, but now is split into four extant genera and 20 species. Gibbons live in subtropical and tropical rainforests from eastern Bangladesh to Northeast India to southern China and Indonesia.
Nomascus is the second-most speciose genus of the gibbon family, Hylobatidae. Originally, this genus was a subgenus of Hylobates, with all individuals considered to be one species, H. concolor.
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), formerly known as Kadoorie Experimental and Extension Farm (嘉道理試驗及推廣農場), or Kadoorie Farm (嘉道理農場), was originally set up to aid poor farmers in the New Territories in Hong Kong. It later shifted its focus to promote biodiversity conservation in Hong Kong and south China, and greater environmental awareness. It is located near Pak Ngau Shek, encompassing Kwun Yam Shan in the central New Territories; The Farm was built in a valley with streams, woodlands and terraces in 1956 by the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association. Now it is managed to integrate nature conservation, including a rescue and rehabilitation programme for native animals, along with holistic education and practices in support of a transition to sustainable living. The farm attracts about 3000 to 5000 visitors per week.
The black crested gibbon is a Critically Endangered species of gibbon found in China, Laos, and northern Vietnam, with four subspecies.
Manas National Park is a national park, Project Tiger reserve, and an elephant reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it borders the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Manas is also famous for its population of the wild water buffalo. Because of its exceptional biodiversity, scenery, and variety of habitats, Manas National Park is a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The eastern black crested gibbon, also called Cao-vit black crested gibbon or the Cao-vit crested gibbon, is a Critically Endangered species of gibbon from southeast China and northern Vietnam. The term "Cao-vit" originated from the sounds of their calls or songs that villagers of Ngoc Khe, Phong Nam and Ngoc Con communes of Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province of Vietnam use to name for them.
The northern white-cheeked gibbon is a Critically Endangered species of gibbon native to South East Asia.
China's vast and diverse landscape is home to a profound variety and abundance of wildlife. As of one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world, China has, according to one measure, 7,516 species of vertebrates including 4,936 fish, 1,269 bird, 562 mammal, 403 reptile and 346 amphibian species. In terms of the number of species, China ranks third in the world in mammals, eighth in birds, seventh in reptiles and seventh in amphibians.
The wildlife of Vietnam is rich in flora and fauna as reflected by its unique biodiversity. Saola, rare and antelope-like animal categorized under the bovine subfamily, was found in 1992 in Vũ Quang National Park. In the 1990s, three other muntjac species, the deer-like Truong Son muntjac, giant muntjac and Pu Hoat muntjac, were also discovered. Conservation protection and scientific studies of the ecology of Vietnam, particularly in the protected forest areas, have been given priority attention by the Government of Vietnam. Laws were enacted to set up Xuân Thủy Wetland National Park, four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and Hạ Long Bay and Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Parks; the last two are also designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Kurixalus bisacculus is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae. It is found in Southeast Asia and southern China. Because of confusion with other species, the distribution is not well mapped but includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and China. Populations from Hainan were formerly treated as a separate species, Rhacophorus hainanus, but molecular data suggest they are conspecific with Kurixalus bisacculus.
Pù Mát National Park is a national park in Nghệ An Province, in Vietnam's North Central Coast region. It is part of the Western Nghệ An Biosphere Reserve.
The Hainan black-crested gibbon or Hainan gibbon, is a Critically Endangered species of gibbon found only on Hainan Island, China. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the eastern black crested gibbon from Hòa Bình and Cao Bằng provinces of Vietnam and Jingxi County in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Molecular data, together with morphology and call differences, suggest it is a separate species. Its habitat consists of broad-leaved forests and semi-deciduous monsoon forests. It feeds on ripe, sugar-rich fruit, such as figs and, at times, leaves, and insects.
The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates is a list of highly endangered primate species selected and published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Primate Specialist Group (PSG), the International Primatological Society (IPS), Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), and Bristol Zoological Society (BZS). The IUCN/SSC PSG worked with Conservation International (CI) to start the list in 2000, but in 2002, during the 19th Congress of the International Primatological Society, primatologists reviewed and debated the list, resulting in the 2002–2004 revision and the endorsement of the IPS. The publication was a joint project between the three conservation organizations until the 2012–2014 list when BZS was added as a publisher. The 2018–2020 list was the first time Conservation International was not among the publishers, replaced instead by GWC. The list has been revised every two years following the biannual Congress of the IPS. Starting with the 2004–2006 report, the title changed to "Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates". That same year, the list began to provide information about each species, including their conservation status and the threats they face in the wild. The species text is written in collaboration with experts from the field, with 60 people contributing to the 2006–2008 report and 85 people contributing to the 2008–2010 report. The 2004–2006 and 2006–2008 reports were published in the IUCN/SSC PSG journal Primate Conservation,, since then they have been published as independent publications.
Zhangixalus yinggelingensis is a species of frog in the family Rhacophoridae endemic to Yinggeling National Nature Reserve, Hainan, China. Its specific name refers to the type locality, Yinggeling, a mountain range in central Hainan.
Liuixalus is a small genus of rhacophorid frogs that are distributed in southern China. Some species now in Liuixalus were originally placed in Philautus. It is thought to be the most basal genus in the Rhacophorinae.
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon or Gaoligong hoolock gibbon is an arboreal primate in the gibbon family, Hylobatidae. It is one of three species of hoolock gibbon and was first described in January 2017 in the American Journal of Primatology. The Skywalker hoolock gibbon is one of two species of Eastern hoolocks: H. tianxing and H. leuconedys. Researchers estimate H. tianxing diverged from H. leuconedys roughly 490,000 years ago. The Eastern hoolock is vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a population of 310,000–370,000 individuals. Of this population, H. tianxing makes up less than 150 individuals, making the Skywalker hoolock gibbon an endangered species.
The Hainan Bawangling National Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Changjiang County, western Hainan, China. It is home to the Hainan black crested gibbon, which is on the verge of extinction, and Hainan partridge. The total area of the reserve is 8,444.3 hectares.
The Yinggeling National Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Hainan, China.
Raimona National Park is located in extreme western part of Assam, India. It is spread across Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar subdivisions of Kokrajhar district of Bodoland Territorial Region.
The flora and fauna of Brunei Darussalam is one of its primary draws. Tropical evergreen rainforest makes up the majority of the country's natural vegetation. 81% of the land is covered by forests, with 59% being primary forests and 22% being secondary forests and plantations. With an estimated 2,000 species of trees, Brunei is home to an estimated 15,000 different species of Vascular plants. Brunei's mammal and bird populations are comparable to those of Sumatra, the Malaysian Peninsula, and Borneo as a whole.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link){{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)