In China, where densely populated regions border fragile ecosystems, a recent assessment has shown that targeted protection of crucial natural areas is yielding significant results. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, 98.9% of 452 national nature reserves received "excellent" or "good" ratings.
Particularly impressive is the recovery of rare species populations. In a nature reserve on Mount Everest, the number of snow leopards has increased from 87 to 106 individuals, and their range has expanded by nearly 2,000 square kilometers. In Gansu, black-necked cranes have nearly tripled in number, from 86 to 238 birds.
Ecosystem quality is also improving. In 97.3% of nature reserves, the water in rivers and lakes remains clean, and in 85%, terrestrial biomass is growing. Hundreds of hectares of mangrove forests have been restored in Fujian, and nearly 30,000 hectares of wetlands in Jiangsu.
Equally important, new species continue to be discovered in these zones. In one Yunnan nature reserve alone, scientists have described 33 previously unknown organisms. The total number of species has increased in 89.4% of protected areas.
The ecological security of regions is strengthening. On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, all nature reserves received top ratings. The indicators in the Yellow River basin and the northeast of the country are also close to ideal.
Concurrently, the "red lines" of ecological protection are being assessed: within these boundaries, environmental quality has slightly improved in recent years, and the area has remained stable. Regular monitoring and strict regulations help maintain the balance between development and nature conservation.
When protection is conducted systematically and based on accurate data, nature responds with growth and new discoveries—all that is needed is to continue this work universally.
