| China is one of the world's major centers of biological diversity.
This is due not only to its size, but also to the tremendous diversity
of habitats it provides for wild plants and animals. The earth's
highest peak and some of its lowest basins are in Chinese territory,
and it has a variety of ecosystems that is unequalled elsewhere,
from glaciers to coral reefs and from deserts to tropical rainforests.
As a result, China diversity of wild plants and animals is greater
than all of North America or Europe, and equal to one-eighth of
all species on earth.
WWF China is working to protect and restore the habitats of both
China's 'flagship' species, such as the giant panda, and lesser-known
species. Conservation of these habitats not only ensures healthy
species populations, but secures the sustainable livelihoods of
local people. With the following brief snapshots of 25 species
that WWF China is working to save, we hope to offer a glimpse
into China's wide variety of unique species and the threats they
face.
|
