Rare endangered plants reintroduced to Hubei nature reserve
2025-04-10 16:04:18
By Liu Kun in Wuhan and Zhang Xiaomin | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2025-04-10 15:44
Approximately 630 saplings of seven rare and endangered plant species were recently replanted in the wild at the Houhe National Nature Reserve in Wufeng Tujia autonomous county of Yichang, Hubei province.
Researchers carefully selected suitable environments in the reserve based on the plants' characteristics.
Among the seven species, the Thuja sutchuenensis is classified as a first-class protected plant at the national level.
Wang Yeqing, head of the reserve's research institute, highlighted the global scarcity of this kind of cypress, with less than 10,000 mature specimens worldwide, emphasizing the species' resilience and the invaluable genetic resources and research potential it holds.
He stated that the reintroduction of these plants into the wild holds significant scientific value for studying the expansion of rare plant populations, monitoring their survival in the wild and conserving biodiversity.
The Houhe reserve is known for being a concentrated distribution area of China's endemic species, including 75 nationally protected plants such as the Chinese dove tree and Chinese yew.
In recent years, researchers at the reserve have propagated saplings of rare and endangered plant species.
Approximately 630 saplings of seven rare and endangered plant species were recently replanted in the wild at the Houhe National Nature Reserve in Wufeng Tujia autonomous county of Yichang, Hubei province.
Researchers carefully selected suitable environments in the reserve based on the plants' characteristics.
Among the seven species, the Thuja sutchuenensis is classified as a first-class protected plant at the national level.
Wang Yeqing, head of the reserve's research institute, highlighted the global scarcity of this kind of cypress, with less than 10,000 mature specimens worldwide, emphasizing the species' resilience and the invaluable genetic resources and research potential it holds.
He stated that the reintroduction of these plants into the wild holds significant scientific value for studying the expansion of rare plant populations, monitoring their survival in the wild and conserving biodiversity.
The Houhe reserve is known for being a concentrated distribution area of China's endemic species, including 75 nationally protected plants such as the Chinese dove tree and Chinese yew.
In recent years, researchers at the reserve have propagated saplings of rare and endangered plant species.
