Jiangsu Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment released a guideline to strengthen biodiversity conservation on April 1.

The guideline includes the objectives, key tasks and specific programs for biodiversity conservation in Jiangsu in the next five years. By 2025, the conservation rate of key biological species will exceed 90%, and germplasm resources will also be effectively preserved.

A flock of oriental white stork (ciconia boyciana) is seen in Suqian on Jan. 30, 2021. Photo/CFP

According to the pilot county surveys from 2017 to 2019, a total of 4,588 species were recorded in the province including 1,425 species of wild vascular plants. Jiangsu also has rich bird species and 165 rare and endangered species. The finding of top predators such as golden eagles, northern goshawk and leopard cats in many places indicate that the progress in restoring ecological environment and the food chain integrity.

The guideline also covers efforts to strengthen systematic protection of biodiversity and raise public awareness. It also includes an objective to have a clear picture of the populations, distribution differences and habitats of rare and endangered species, such as the Yangtze finless porpoise. Jiangsu will also establish a database of the living environment for key protected species.

In conjunction with initiatives including the 10-year fishing ban and the Yangtze River protection, the province will launch a campaign to monitor key aquatic organisms in the Yangtze River basin and apply environmental DNA to understand aquatic biodiversity in Lake Taihu, Hongze Lake, Luoma Lake and Changdang Lake.

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