Rare plants returned to the wild in Houhe

By Yan Wanqin.

A total of 630 rare and endangered plants were returned to the wild fields in Houhe National Nature Reserve on April 2.

The seven rare plant species transplanted include Changiostyrax, Bretschneidera sinensis (also known as bolei tree), Thuja sutchuenensis, Magnolia pilocarpa, Berchemiella wilsonii, Emmenopterys henryi and Panax japonicus.
 

Among them, Thuja sutchuenensis is a first-class protected wildlife species. Changiostyrax, Emmenopterys henryi, Bretschneidera sinensis, Berchemiella wilsonii and Panax japonicus are national second-class protected species. Magnolia pilocarpa is listed as an endangered plant by the World Conservation Union.

"Thuja sutchuenensis has a narrow range and is an endemic and endangered plant," said Wang Yeqing, director of the scientific research institute at Houhe National Nature Reserve.

There are fewer than 10,000 wild Thuja sutchuenensis left in the world. It has strong resistance to adversity and contains unique genetic resources and research value, he added.
 

Based on the living characteristics of seven rare plants, the researchers looked for similar habitats in the reserve. They cleared forest land, planted saplings, tagged each one, and created files to lay the foundation for future monitoring.

Wang said that the return of rare plants to nature has important scientific research value for studying the expansion of rare plant populations, and for monitoring and protecting biodiversity.

The Houhe National Nature Reserve is one of China's key areas for endemic species distribution. It has 3,307 plant species, 76 of which are under national protection.

Zheng Yan, Zong Yu contributed to this story.