Biodiversity in China: challenges, efforts and prospects
Yuanning Liang, Shilong Zhuang
Abstract
Species extinctions and ecological degradation are accelerating to an unprecedented degree in human history, emphasizing the imperative need to understand the drivers of ecological degradation for designing effective conservation policies. This paper aims to provide an overview of China’s biodiversity landscape over the past three decades since the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992. We begin by reviewing several key challenges to biodiversity conservation, including habitat change, air pollution, and climate change. Next, we summarize China’s multifaceted approaches to ecosystem preservation, encompassing laws, regulations, policies, and noteworthy conservation events. Furthermore, the paper explores avenues for future research, shedding light on potential stressors and solutions in the realm of biodiversity conservation.