Biodiversity Congruence and Conservation Strategies: A National Test

Balancing urban growth and ecological conservation: A challenge for planning and governance in China

“…Since there are fundamental differences between PAs and biodiversity hotspots as conservation tools (Brooks et al 2006;Dudley 2008), whether a province is expected to experience urban expansion near a PA (e.g., Shandong) or in a biodiversity hotspot (e.g., Guangxi) or both (e.g., Guangdong) may require differentiated urbanization strategies to minimize the negative impacts on biodiversity. In particular, Guangdong Province was identified in a recent national assessment among those provinces that particularly require further funding for conservation given the richness of their biodiversity (Xu et al 2008).…”

Conservation of Chinese Plant Diversity: An Overview

“…Endangered plant species tend to be concentrated in the southern part of the country (e.g. Tang et al, 2006;Zhang & Ma, 2008), thus showing high congruence with both centres of species richness and centres of endemism (Xu et al, 2008). Thus, 'biodiversity hotspots' in its broadest sense (as centres of species richness, endemism and threatened species) are entirely located in the central and southern mountainous regions of China (Table 2 and Fig.…”

“…Since refugia are areas that offered many opportunities for persistence and speciation, these stand out as harboring high rates of endemism as well as overall species richness. Centres of species richness and centres of endemism are, thus, generally coincident (Ying, 2001;Xu et al, 2008) and almost exclusively located in the mountainous regions of central and southern China, at latitudes below 35º N, including the two main Chinese islands, Hainan and Taiwan (Fig. 4).…”

“…The lack of systematic planning is also evidenced when criteria of biogeographic and ecosystem representativeness are tested. Xu et al (2008) reported a total lack of correlation between the percentage of land area occupied by nature reserves and overall species richness, endemism, or threat at provincial level; in this sense, these authors are calling for the setting up of new reserves in the provinces with less than 10% of reserves coverage (Fig. 11).…”

National Park Development in China: Conservation or Commercialization?

“…This does not mean that China's biodiversity is, or will be, adequately protected. Currently, there is no correlation between the areas protected as reserves and overall species richness, endemism or threat (Xu et al 2008). Even the existing parks and reserves will only be sustainable when their objectives balance improving local livelihoods and protecting ecosystems.…”