In a bid to boost its biodiversity, the ecological and environmental bureau of Jingjiang – a county-level city administered by Taizhou city in East China's Jiangsu province – released the results of a comprehensive survey of its flora and fauna on May 20, revealing a wealth of species in the region.
The list includes 559 terrestrial higher plants, 247 terrestrial vertebrates, 257 terrestrial insects and 258 aquatic organisms.
In particular, the Yangtze finless porpoise population is flourishing in the area, signaling improved ecological conditions along the Yangtze River.
Lush and verdant: A bird's-eye view of Mazhou Island in Jingjiang city. [Photo/zhjjwx.jsjjw.cn]
Mazhou Island in the city stands out as a haven for diverse plants and wildlife, hosting 221 bird species, 245 vascular plants and various mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
Efforts to protect the ecosystems include innovative digital monitoring tools and collaborations with environmental institutes.
The Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment is working closely with Jingjiang to create a robust biodiversity observation system, focusing on Mazhou Island as a key research site.
These initiatives aim to establish Jingjiang as a national model for biodiversity conservation and contribute to the larger goal of protecting the Yangtze River ecosystem.