Little egrets frolic in the fields of Yanhe Village in Rugao, Nantong City, August 25, 2024. (CFP)

Nantong recorded 3,983 species in its latest biodiversity monitoring, including 99 species under national key protection, according to the press conference of the Nantong Ecology and Environment Bureau on November 27.

The city has made new strides in improving its biodiversity richness. For example, the Chinese crested tern has been sighted along the coast for five consecutive years, while endangered species such as the Yangtze finless porpoise, false killer whale, and spoon-billed sandpiper have been frequently spotted, with their populations showing growth.

Nantong has taken the lead in Jiangsu Province by establishing a comprehensive citywide biodiversity monitoring network. This year, the city has continued to enhance its monitoring capacity by integrating satellite remote sensing with intelligent monitoring systems.