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Faunal Resources of the Gaoligongshan Region of Yunnan, China: Diverse and Threatened

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2009

Ma Shilai ,
Han Lianxian ,
Lan Daoying ,
Ji Weizhi  and
Richard B. Harris
Ma Shilai
Affiliation:
Respectively Associate Professor, Assistant Researcher, Assistant Researcher, and Centre Director, Conservation Biology Centre, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, PRC
Han Lianxian
Affiliation:
Respectively Associate Professor, Assistant Researcher, Assistant Researcher, and Centre Director, Conservation Biology Centre, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, PRC
Lan Daoying
Affiliation:
Respectively Associate Professor, Assistant Researcher, Assistant Researcher, and Centre Director, Conservation Biology Centre, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, PRC
Ji Weizhi
Affiliation:
Respectively Associate Professor, Assistant Researcher, Assistant Researcher, and Centre Director, Conservation Biology Centre, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, PRC
Richard B. Harris
Affiliation:
Research Fellow, Wildlife Conservation Society, 185th St and Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10450, USA*
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Extract

We estimate that roughly one-third of Gaoligongshan's total area is now devoted exclusively to agriculture and other uses that preclude maintenance of biodiversity. In most cases, primary forests existing at the establishment of the three Nature Reserves have been conserved effectively. However, small-scale (but largely unmonitored and uncontrolled) tree-felling and other vegetation disturbance continues in many areas. Despite these lapses, forests are in better condition within, than outside of, established Nature Reserves. As well, the future for these forests looks brighter than for those surviving outside Reserves: at the very least, county governments are not free to convert them into pine plantations.

In contrast, hunting has been reduced only slightly — much less effectively than forest cutting has been. Although it is possible to find evidence of persistence of some rare animal species, and some Nature Reserve personnel believe there are indications that sensitive and rare species are showing an upward trend, poaching of animals is still common, particularly of smaller-bodied or lesser-known species. Although it seems well established that wellknown species (e.g. Takin) must be strictly protected, many species at equal or greater risk of extirpation and equally protected legally (e.g. some species of pheasants), do not enjoy such effective protection.

Type
Main Papers
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , Autumn 1995 , pp. 250 - 258
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 1995

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