To promote the Conservation of Dipterocarps, the 2023 Science and Technology Cooperation Conference between Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XTBG), and organizations of Nature Reserve Management and Protection (Management) Bureaus in China was held at XTBG on 20-22 July 2023, with the theme “Integration of in situ and ex situ conservation of rare Dipterocarps species”.
Prof. Fan-Yuan Gan, the Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of XTBG gave the welcome speech and pointed out that dipterocarps are the flagship species of the Asian Tropical Rainforests, and are also rare and endangered species in China and beyond, and therefore, the conservation of dipterocarps is very urgent in China and across their global range. Promoting construction of the system of National Parks and National Botanical Gardens and integrating in situ and ex situ conservation is the main mission of XTBG and the Nature Reserve Management and Protection (Management) Bureaus in China.
Prof. Ting-Yu Li, Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, announced the launch of the “Reintroduction Campaign of Dipterocarps” in the Green Stone Rainforest of XTBG. Each participating organization selected one dipterocarp sapling and jointly planted it in the Green Stone Rainforest of XTBG, symbolizing that XTBG and the organizations will work together to carry out the conservation of dipterocarps. There are 130 saplings representing nine populations of eight species at this time, including Anthoshorea assamica, Dipterocarpus retusus, Hopea chinensis, Hopea hainanensis, Hopea reticulata, Parashorea chinensis, and Vatica xishuangbannaensis.
During the symposium session, Prof. Wen-Bin Yu, Prof. Jian-Wei Tang, and Prof. Yun-Xue Xiao, on behalf of the Dipterocarps Research Team of XTBG, reported the progress of a global conservation plan for dipterocarps, as well as the distribution status and conservation effectiveness in China, along with ex situ conservation practices. Representatives of the participating organizations shared their progress in biodiversity conservation, then reached a consensus on biological conservation in tropical and transboundary areas in southern China, and signed the Conservation Initiative of Dipterocarps in China.
In the closing remarks, Prof. Yao-Wu Xing, the deputy director of XTBG thanked the participants for their positive efforts to promote the protection of dipterocarps in China. He expected that XTBG would strengthen cooperation with organizations of nature reserves in China and international research institutions to achieve consensus and work together to jointly carry out field surveys and investigation, and integrative conservation of Dipterocarps.
Representatives from the following organisations participated at the conference:
- Yunnan Daweishan National Nature Reserve Management and Conservation Bureau
- Yunnan Huanglian Mountain National Nature Reserve Management and Conservation Bureau
- Yunnan Jinpinfenshuiling National Nature Reserve Management and Conservation Bureau
- Yunnan Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve Management and Conservation Bureau
- Yunnan Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve Management and Conservation Bureau
- Jiangcheng Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Malipo Forestry and Grassland Bureau
- Forestry and Grassland Research Institute of Wenshan
Hao Yao and Qing-Lang Cui.
