The reporter learned from the Chengdu Nature Reserve and Wildlife Conservation Center that in 2022, the Chengdu Park City Construction Management Bureau organized wild plant experts from the Chengdu Institute of Mountains and Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to conduct single-petal rose flower , umbrella flower tree, htm A special survey was carried out on 9 extremely small populations of wild plants, including l2Gate cephalosporus, red bean tree, Emei smile, round-leaf goddess flower, fragrant fruit tree, catalpa leaf maple, and gallbladder grass. Based on the survey results, the expert group proposed "one policy, one policy" targeted protection measures.
Spatial distribution map of extremely small populations of wild plants in Chengdu
According to reports, during the natural succession process, some species will gradually evolve due to factors such as climate change, evolutionary variation (inbreeding, etc.), or human interference (human activities lead to habitat loss). Regarding the danger of being endangered or even extinct, academician Li Zhensheng, a famous botanical expert, pointed out that "the extinction of one plant in the natural ecosystem will cause the disappearance of 10-30 other species of organisms." "One species can determine the economic lifeline of a country, and one gene can affect the rise and fall of a nation." Therefore, it is urgent to carry out continuous investigation, monitoring and rescue protection of rare and endangered species.
On this basis, in 2008, the State Forestry Administration further proposed the concept of "wild plants with very small populations" based on the current status of wild plant protection in my country (referring to wild plants with small populations, narrow habitats, serious interference from humans, and facing the risk of extinction at any time), and successively compiled the "National Implementation Plan for the Protection of Wild Plants with Very Small Populations" and the "National Project Plan for the Protection of Wild Plants with Very Small Populations", etc., and identified 120 species of wild plants with very small populations as the first phase of the project to be rescued and protected, and carried out rescue and protection pilot projects. Sichuan Province has also compiled the "Implementation Plan for the Rescue and Protection Project of Very Small Populations of Wild Plants in Sichuan Province" and "Research on the Rescue and Protection of Wild Plants with Very Small Populations in Sichuan Province", etc., and identified 33 species of wild plants with very small populations for priority rescue and protection research.
Chengdu is rich in wild animal and plant resources. There are currently 3,139 species of higher wild plants in 3 phyla, 192 families, 1,005 genera, accounting for 10.08% of the total higher plant species in the country, and accounting for 10.08% of the total higher plant species in Sichuan Province. The number of species is 28.76%, among which 3 species of national Class I protected wild plants include yew, Southern yew and Davidia involucrata; 57 species of national Class II protected wild plants include Catalpa leaf maple, round-leaf goddess flower, Emei smile, red bean tree, fragrant fruit tree, etc. Among them, two species, Acer catalpa and Emei smile, belong to the wild plants with a very small population determined by the country, and two species, the round-leaf goddess flower and the gallbladder grass, belong to the wild plants with a very small population determined by Sichuan Province. On this basis, in accordance with the definition of extremely small population wild plants and based on the existing quantity data of Chengdu's wild plant survey, Chengdu City has identified 35 rare and endangered wild plants, including fragrant fruit trees, red bean trees, single-petal roses, grate cerebellum and umbrella flower html, as extremely small population wild plants in Chengdu City, and carry out priority rescue and protective research.
(1) Single-petaled rose
Single-petaled rose (Rosa chinensis var. spontanea) is a large shrub of the Rosaceae (Rosaceae)Rosa genus (Rosa). According to special survey data, there are only 8 clusters of single-petal rose flowers naturally distributed in Chengdu, located in Longquanyi District, Jintang County, and Dujiangyan City. They are the rare and endangered wild plants with the smallest natural distribution in Chengdu.
The main survival risks of single-petaled roses include: first, the fruiting rate is low, and the seed coat is hard and thick, making it difficult to germinate naturally; secondly, there is strong interference from human activities such as barren hillsides, forest edges, and creeks where natural growth occurs, leading to habitat degradation or loss; thirdly, they are often cut down or dug up by the roots as "harmful vines" by ordinary people and road maintainers; fourthly, old piles of wild single-petaled roses are dug up by flower and plant enthusiasts.
protection suggestions: 1. The forestry authorities in Longquanyi District, Jintang County and Dujiangyan City will establish nature reserve areas (or spots) in their distribution areas, carry out in-situ protection in a closed manner, carry out regular patrol monitoring, and strengthen the monitoring of local old people. Publicity and education for the common people; 2. Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations; 3. Cooperates with the Forest Police Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau to strengthen the crackdown on illegal and criminal acts of illegal digging of wild single-petal rose flower piles.
(2) Eurycorymbus cavaleriei
Eurycorymbus cavaleriei is a deciduous tree of the genus Eurycorymbus in the family Sapindaceae. Sichuan first discovered my country's rare and unique tree species Umbrella flower in December 2020 in Qionglai City. According to special survey data, there are only 15 umbrella trees naturally distributed in Chengdu, all of which are located in the collective forest of Dingguo Village, Linqiong Town, Qionglai City.
The main survival risks of the umbrella tree include: first, it is regarded as a "miscellaneous tree" and is cleared; second, other tree species cover the crown of the umbrella tree, resulting in fewer flowering and fruiting mother plants; third, habitat degradation or loss.
protection suggestions: 1. Qionglai City has established a nature reserve area, closed for protection and management, and needs to carry out regular patrol monitoring and strengthen publicity and education to local people; 2. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations; 3. Thinning the sweet bamboo and miscellaneous trees around the umbrella tree, frees up the growth space of the umbrella tree, and enhances the flowering and fruiting of the mother tree.
(3) Cephalotaxus
Cephalotaxus oliveri is a shrub or small tree of the genus Cephalotaxus in the family Taxaceae. According to special survey data, there are only 4 mother trees, only 2 saplings, and about 126 seedlings of Cephalosporium vulgaris naturally distributed in Chengdu. Distributed in Wushan Township, Dayi County and Tiantaishan Town, Qionglai City, it has been severely disturbed and urgently needs protective measures.
The main survival crises of the grate cephalosporus include: first, it is regarded as a "miscellaneous tree or useless plant" and is cleared; second, the habitat is degraded or lost.
Protection Suggestions: 1. The Dayi County and Qionglai City forestry authorities should establish natural protection areas (or spots) in their distribution areas, carry out in-situ protection in a closed manner, carry out regular patrol monitoring, and strengthen Propaganda and education for local people; 2. The Dayi County forestry department cooperates with the Chengdu Botanical Garden to urgently carry out in-situ or ex-situ transplantation protection work for the 126 naturally regenerated seedlings; 3. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations.
(4) Red bean tree
Red bean tree (Ormosia hosiei) is an evergreen or deciduous tree of Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Ormosia (Ormosia). According to special survey data, there are only 17 red bean trees naturally distributed in Chengdu, distributed in Jintang County and Longquanyi District. They have been severely disturbed and urgently need protection measures.
The main survival risks of the red bean tree include: first, the seed coat is hard and difficult to germinate; second, the mother tree is transplanted into the city as a greening tree species; third, the habitat is degraded or lost.
protection suggestions: 1. The forestry authorities of Jintang County and Longquanyi District should establish nature protection areas (or spots) in their distribution areas, conduct closed on-site protection, carry out regular patrol monitoring, and strengthen publicity and education to local people; 2. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely relocates back to rejuvenate wild populations; 3. Cooperate with the Forest Police Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau to strengthen the crackdown on illegal and criminal acts of illegally digging wild red bean trees.
(5) Emei smile
Emei smile (Michelia wilsonii) is a tree of the genus Michelia in the family Magnoliaceae. According to special survey data, there are only 32 Emei smiles naturally distributed in Chengdu, distributed in Dayi County and Dujiangyan City.
The main survival crises of Emei Hanxia include: first, the mother tree has a low seed setting rate; second, interspecific competition between seedlings and shrubs and grass plants is weak, resulting in high mortality; third, habitat degradation or loss.
Protection suggestions: 1. The forestry authorities of Dayi County and Dujiangyan City establish nature reserve plots (or points) in their distribution areas. In May and July every year, shrubs and herbaceous plants are cleared under and around the canopy of the mother tree, and in-situ protection is carried out in a closed manner. Regular patrol monitoring is carried out; 2. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations.
(6) Oyama sinensis
Oyama sinensis is a deciduous shrub of the genus Oyama in the Magnoliaceae family.According to special survey data, there are only 58 round-leaf Tiannv flowers naturally distributed in Chengdu, distributed in Chongzhou City, Pengzhou City, and the Giant Panda National Park in Dujiangyan City.
The main survival risks of the round-leaf goddess flower include: first, death due to illegal cutting and skinning; second, habitat degradation or loss.
protection suggestions: Chengdu Botanical Garden collects provenance, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations.
(7) Emmenopterys henryi
Emmenopterys henryi is a large deciduous tree of the Rubiaceae genus (Emmenopterys). According to special survey data, there are 88 fragrant fruit trees naturally distributed in Chengdu, distributed in Pengzhou City, Dayi County, Dujiangyan City, Qionglai City, Pujiang County and Longquanyi District.
The main survival risks of fragrant fruit trees include: first, severe seed insect infestation leading to abortion; second, small seeds and low germination rate; third, habitat degradation or loss.
protection suggestions: 1. Longquanyi District has established a nature protection community at the Changsong Temple site, and the forestry authorities of Pengzhou City, Dayi County, Dujiangyan City, Qionglai City and Pujiang County have established nature protection areas in its distribution area. District communities (or points) should be closed for on-site protection, regular patrol monitoring should be carried out, and publicity and education to local people should be strengthened; 2. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out seed germination and artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations.
(8) Acer
Acer amplum is a deciduous tree of the genus Acer in the Sapindaceae family. According to special survey data, there are 163 Catalpa acer trees naturally distributed in Chengdu, distributed in Pengzhou City, Dujiangyan City, Chongzhou City, Dayi County, Qionglai City and Pujiang County.
The main survival risks of catalpa maple include: first, severe seed insect infestation leading to seed abortion; second, high shrub and grass coverage causing samaras to be unable to reach the ground and reducing seed germination and seedling settlement; third, habitat degradation or loss.
protection suggestions: 1. The forestry authorities of Pengzhou City, Dujiangyan City, Chongzhou City, Dayi County, Qionglai City and Pujiang County establish nature reserve plots (or points) in their distribution areas. In May and July every year, shrubs and herbaceous plants under and around the canopy of the mother tree are cleared, and in-situ protection is carried out in a closed manner. Regular patrol monitoring is carried out; 2. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate wild populations.
(9) Urophysa rockii
Urophysa rockii is a perennial summer dry (dormant) herbaceous plant of the genus Urophysa of the Ranunculaceae family. According to special survey data, there are 648 naturally distributed clumps of Talismanthus in Chengdu. They are only distributed in Fairy Cave of Gexian Mountain, Leishen Cave of Gexian Mountain, Bandit Cave near Feilaifeng Scenic Area and the right side of Bandit Cave in Pengzhou City. The intensity of interference is moderate (Note: Talismania is naturally distributed in my country only in Jiangyou City and Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province).
The main survival risks of C. angustifolia include: first, the habitat requirements are extremely special and it only grows naturally in gaps or depressions in limestone cliffs; second, it is trampled or destroyed by rock climbing enthusiasts; third, the habitat is degraded or lost.
protection suggestions: 1. A nature protection area has been established in the natural distribution area of S. striata in Pengzhou City, and the on-situ protection is carried out in a closed manner, patrol monitoring is carried out regularly, and the publicity and education of local people is strengthened; 2. The Chengdu Botanical Garden collects seed sources, carries out artificial breeding, and timely moves back to rejuvenate the wild populations; 3. Cooperate with the Forest Police Detachment of the Municipal Public Security Bureau to strengthen the crackdown on illegal and criminal activities that destroy S. striata.
Zhao Die, reporter of Yuandian News of Southwest Commercial Daily (picture from the Internet)
