The Chinese black-headed gull (CFP file photo)

A total of 3,672 species of animals and plants have been recorded in Nanjing, according to the latest survey, as the city’s ecological environment has continued to improve in recent years.

Nanjing leads in Jiangsu Province in biodiversity richness thanks to its geographical features, with Purple Mountain in the south, Laoshan Mountain in the north and the Yangtze River running through the middle, said Professor Wang Beixin from Nanjing Agricultural University.

The Chinese luehdorfia

Professor Wang highlighted the discovery of rare plants and animals, such as the Chinese luehdorfia and Magnolia zenii, which underscore Nanjing’s long history of biodiversity research.

Other significant findings include the world’s largest naturally occurring group of Metasequoia, or dawn redwood, in the urban environment, near the Ming Dynasty City Wall adjacent to Xuanwu Lake in 2022. Additionally, in 2023, the Lishui section of Shijiu Lake reported sightings of red-crowned cranes, a bird species under national key protection. On May 15 this year, the Chinese black-headed gull, a bird under first-class national wildlife protection, was observed for the first time at the Longpao Wetland Park near the Yangtze River.

The Magnolia zenii

These discoveries are a testament to Nanjing's robust biodiversity conservation efforts. The city has implemented an action plan to bolster the campaign, including the establishment of natural reserves covering a total area of 1,002.27 square kilometers.

Moreover, the city has engaged the entire community in environmental protection efforts. Notably, government departments have collaborated with schools to establish a science and education alliance for biodiversity conservation, organized a team to deliver free lectures on ecological civilization, and conducted biodiversity surveys and other research activities open to the public, thus encouraging wider participation in conservation efforts.