CHINA
Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan

BEIJING CHINA
1994.5

LEADING AGENCY
National Environmental Protection Agency

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES OR LEADING GROUP
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Construction
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Forestry
Ministry of Public Security
State Oceanic Administration
State Planning Commission
State Science and Technology Commission

PROJECT DIRECTOR 
Wan Bentai (Until 6 September 1993)
Liu Chunyu (Beginning 6 September 1993)

PROJECT EXECUTOR
The World Bank

FUNDING
Global Environment Facility
Through the United Nations Development Programme

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Contents

Preface Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan Process in China Introduction Acronyms and Data Notes Chapter 1: Present Status of Biological Diversity in China
	Overview of China's Biodiversity
		Ecosystem Diversity Species Diversity Genetic Diversity
	Special Features of Biodiversity in China
		High Richness of Biodiversity High Endemism of China's Biodiversity Special Features of Evolution of Biota in China High Richness of Economic Species
	Threatened Status of China's Biodiversity and Causes
		Overview of Threatened Status Causes of Threats to Biodiversity in China
	Urgency of Biodiversity Conservation and Demand for Sustainable Utilization
		Urgency of Biodiversity Conservation Demand for Sustainable Use of Biological Resources
Chapter 2: Present Status of Biodiversity Conservation in China
	Description and Assessment of In-situ Conservation Efforts
		In-situ Conservation of Ecosystems In-situ Conservation of Wild Species Status and Management of Nature Reserves
	Description and Assessment of Ex-situ Conservation Efforts
		Ex-situ Conservation of Wild Plants Ex-situ Conservation of Wild Animals Major Problems in Ex-Situ Conservation of Wild Animals and Plants Collection, Assessment and Conservation of Domestic Varieties and Wild Relatives of Crops and Livestock
	Assessment of Scientific Research and Achievement for Biodiversity Conservation
		Survey and Inventory of Biological Resources Planning and Enforcement of Biodiversity Conservation Biodiversity Conservation Technologies and Their Popularization Technology and Benefits Related to Biodviersity Utilization Major Problems of Research on Biodiversity Conservation
	Assessment of Institutional Framework Related to Biodiversity Conservation
		Central Governmental Institutions and Functions Related to Biodiversity Conservation Local Institutions and Their Functions Issues of Coordination, Authority and Responsibility Nongovernmental Organizations and Their Functions
	Description and Assessment of Biodiversity Conservation Law and Policy
		National Policy of Nature Protection Relevant National Legislation Conservation Strategy of the State Major Problems of Biodiversity Conservation Law and Policy
	Description and Assessment of Publicity and Education for Biodiversity Conservation
		Publicity and Education Personnel Training Major Problems of Biodiversity Conservation Publicity and Education
	Description and Assessment of International Cooperation in China’s Biodiversity Conservation
		Multilateral Cooperation and International Conventions Nongovernmental Cooperation Impediments to Increased Cooperation
Chapter 3: Action Program of Specific Biodiversity Conservation Measures
	Overall Objective of China’s Biodiversity Action Plan
	Specific Objectives and Actions
		Objective 1: Improve the basic research of biodiversity in China. Objective 2: Improve the national network of nature reserves and other protected areas. Objective 3: Conserve wild species that are significant for biodiversity. Objective 4: Conserve genetic resources related to crops and domestic livestock. Objective 5: In-situ conservation outside nature reserves. Objective 6: Establish a nationwide information and monitoring network for biodiversity conservation. Objective 7: Coordinate biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Chapter 4: Actions to Ensure Implementation of Specific Conservation Measures
	Legislation and Policy
		Assess Adequacy of Conservation Policy-Making and Propose New or Revised Policies Assess and Improve Implementation and Enforcement of Conservation Laws Implementation of Conservation Measures Participate in Relevant International Conventions
	Institutional Measures
		Strengthen Institutional Arrangements Needed to Implement Action Plan Clarify Roles, Authorities and Responsibilities for Institutions Implementing Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan Establish Effective Coordination between Different Departments Clarify Functions of Nongovernmental Organizations Define and Establish Institutional Arrangements for Ongoing National Biodiversity Evaluation and Information Exchange
	Scientific Research
		Define Basic Research Needed for Biodiversity Conservation Define Technological Research for Biodiversity Conservation Define Technological Research for Sustainable Utilization of Biological Resources Define Technological Research for Biodiversity Management Develop Ways to Communicate Results of Research to Management Clarify Responsibility Allocation and Financial Budgeting
	Technical Extension and Demonstration
		Set Up Demonstration Sites Develop Conservation Technology Extension Extend Techniques for Rational Resources Utilization Publicize Biodiversity Management Experience Clarify Responsibility Allocations and Implementing Steps
	Publicity and Education
		Develop Publicity Program Develop Education Program Expand Professional Training Programs Set Up Implementing Steps
	Identify Sources of Finance
		Determine Central Government Investment Determine Local Government Investment Determine Social Contributions Determine International Assistance Determine Required Investments
	Increase International Cooperation
		Improve Multilateral Cooperation Improve Bilateral Cooperation Improve Nongovernmental Cooperation Set Up Implementing Steps
Annex 1: Priority Ecosystems in China Annex 2: Priority Species in China Annex 3: Selected Project Profiles Annex 4: Maps Map1 Map2 Map3 Map4 Map5 Map6 Map7 Annex 5: Participants in the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan for China
Postscript
Boxes
	Box 3.1: Criteria for Determining Biodiversity Significance and Conservation Priority of Areas Box 3.2: Criteria for Determining Global Biodiversity Significance and Conservation Priority of Species Box 3.3: Objectives and Components of a Biodiversity Monitoring System for China
Figures
	Figure 2.1: Institutional Framework for Biodiversity Conservation in China
Tables
	Table 1.1: Numbers of Species of Major Biotic Taxa in China (compared to world totals) Table 1.2: Number of Endemic Genera and Species in China Table 1.3: Estimated Number of Endangered Species in China Table 2.1: Development of China’s Nature Reserves (1956-91) Table 2.2: Present Status of Established Nature Reserves in China Table 2.3: Four-Tiered Structure of Nature Reserves and Scenic Spots in China Table 2.4: Numbers of Reserves in Management Sectors (1991)

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DRAFTERS OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN

FEBRUARY 1993	MAY 1993 REVISION	SEPTEMBER 1993 REVISION
Introduction	Introduction	Introduction
Mr. Jin Jianming	Mr. Jin Jianming	Mr. Jin Jianming
Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 1
Ms. Chen Lingzhi Mr. Zhang Fuyun Mr. Cai Xiaoming Mr. Lin Fushen	Mr. Ma Keping	Mr. Ma Keping Dr. Lee Talbot
Chapter 2	Chapter 2	Chapter 2
Mr. Wang Song Mr. Zhang Gengsheng Mr. Yang Songling	Mr. Cao Hongfa	Mr. Tao Zhan Ms. Susan Shen
Chapter 3	Chapter 3	Chapter 3
Mr. Chen Changdu Mr. Song Chaoshu Mr. Huang Zongguo Mr. Li Bo Mr. Dong Yuchen	Ms. Charlotte Maxey	Mr. Ma Keping Dr. Lee Talbot
Chapter 4	Chapter 4	Chapter 4
Mr. Tao Zhan Mr. Xia Xianmin Mr. Yu Huming	Mr. Tao Zhan	Mr. Tao Zhan Ms. Susan Shen
	Annexes(except Annex 3)	Annexes
	Mr. Tao Zhan
	Annex 3
	Dr.Andrew Laurie Mr. Wang Jie Ms. Susan Shen
The Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan for China was edited and designed for final publication by Ms. Charlotte Maxey and Ms. Julia Lutz.