Hanging "ID cards" for ancient and rare tree species, providing data support for ecological protection through comprehensive scientific research
CCTV News: Yulong Snow Mountain in northwest Yunnan is famous for its scenery and is a nature reserve in Yunnan. It is also a hot area for global biodiversity research. From 2020, the Administration and Protection Bureau of Yulong Snow Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve, together with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, and local forestry and grass departments, will organize and launch a comprehensive scientific research focusing on the background survey of animal and plant resources in Yulong Snow Mountain. Next, let's take a look at the latest research progress of this comprehensive scientific examination.
Understanding a mountain starts with understanding a forest. The famous scenic spot of Yunshanping in Yulong Snow Mountain is described as "a beautiful meadow surrounded by primitive forests.". In fact, the original forest around Yunshanping, which is often neglected, is also the essence of Yulong Snow Mountain. At an altitude of about 3200 meters, this area is home to the most representative dark coniferous forest in northwest Yunnan. The 25 hectares of forest land in its core area has been divided into large sample plots for scientific research units to investigate, sample, and monitor research.
Cedar trees are the main tree species in this large plot, and different types of rare cedar trees make this dark coniferous forest unique and precious. Equally precious are various herbaceous plants with medicinal and edible functions that accompany tall trees.
![Hanging "ID cards" for ancient and rare tree species, providing data support for ecological protection through comprehensive scientific research](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/1a5fb42f227038c7cef78c996f21ae59.jpg)
The towering trees blocking the sun, the naturally aging withered branches and leaves, and the verdant moss covering the trunk and ground all showcase the long history and primitive mystery of this secluded forest.
Due to the large number of ancient and rare tree species with high scientific research value in the Yunshanping area, the research institution has included as many plants as possible in the large sample area and hung them with the "ID card" belonging to the unified database of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The Yunshanping area is only a corner of the Yulong Snow Mountain. In Yunnan Province, known as the "Kingdom of Plants", Yulong Snow Mountain is one of the representative core areas and hotspots of plant diversity.
![Hanging "ID cards" for ancient and rare tree species, providing data support for ecological protection through comprehensive scientific research](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/3a2394366200155f53ed19a70637884d.jpg)
Scientific research has confirmed that the Yulong Snow Mountain Nature Reserve has a rich variety of plant species, making it one of the regions with the richest plant diversity in China and even in the world. Moreover, there are numerous unique plants, including 1550 species unique to China, 320 species unique to Yunnan, and 70 species unique to Yulong Snow Mountain.