In the Helan Mountains, where the steppes and deserts of Inner Mongolia converge, scientists have completed the second comprehensive scientific expedition and presented to the world six previously unknown species of living organisms. The results, announced in early September 2026, were the outcome of three years of work that began in 2023 and concluded with field research in 2025.
Among the new discoveries are two species of vascular plants: the short-pedicel onion (Allium brevipedicellatum) with unusually short flower stalks, and the Helan Mountains milkvetch (Astragalus helanshanensis), a compact member of the legume family adapted to harsh conditions. Three species of lichens — the pinkish-orange fruited (Gyalolechia farinosa), the blistery orange (Gyalolechia pustulata), and the Shanan fine-pored (Porpidinia shananensis) — have expanded the list of cryptogamic organisms, and one insect species, the broad Karschia (Karschia latuis), has added diversity to the arthropod fauna.
The expedition, organized by the reserve's administration together with eight scientific institutions, combined traditional sample collection methods with modern technologies: molecular sequencing and a network of infrared cameras. As a result, 4598 species of organisms were recorded, updating data across all major groups — from fungi and lichens to vertebrates.
The Helan Mountains play a key role as a natural barrier holding back the advance of the Tengger and Ulan Buh deserts, and as a biodiversity hotspot where the floras of several regions intersect. It is precisely the geographical isolation and diversity of microclimates that have facilitated the formation of endemic forms, which have now received scientific descriptions.
In addition to the six new species, the expedition identified 568 new records at various levels — 20 for China and 243 for Inner Mongolia. These data will serve as a basis for updating the reserve's management plans and creating a national park, helping to more accurately assess the effectiveness of long-term conservation and ecosystem restoration measures.
Systematic studies of arid mountain regions allow not only the discovery of new species but also the strengthening of strategies for their long-term protection.
