Integrated index-based assessment reveals long-term conservation progress in implementation of Convention on Biological Diversity

Valuing the plant species diversity of permanent grasslands: From the perspective of herders

Conserving plant species diversity is crucial to the sustainable development of human beings. Nevertheless, the trends toward declining species numbers and homogenization of species distributions have become increasingly evident. The monetary value of species diversity can make stakeholders put more serious attentions on the protection of species diversity, but which is difficult to evaluate. This paper combined survey data and ecological data obtained through plot sampling and geographic information system methods, to assess the value of plant species diversity in permanent grasslands for local herders who are the direct users of grasslands, and whose livelihoods and well-beings are tightly related with the ecosystem of grasslands. Based on the life satisfaction approach, we found that the monetary value of one plant species for each herder household is equivalent to 9.8% of the annual household income on average, which increases to 15.9% when the level of species evenness is higher. The results of a heterogeneity analysis revealed that the value of plant species diversity varies significantly among different groups of households. Our research introduced a new method to quantify the value of species diversity for stakeholders. The estimation of monetary value of plant species diversity will have far-reaching influence on stakeholders and policymakers involved in protecting species diversity of permanent grasslands.

Conservation of rare and endangered plant species in China

Rare and endangered plant species (REPs) are facing high danger of extinction, yet a comprehensive and up-to-date review on their conservation in China is still lacking. This paper systematically collected studies and achievements on REPs conservation, including species surveys and monitoring, cause of endangerment, in situ conservation, ex situ conservation, reintroduction, propagation, conservation legislation, public participation, progress in conservation of wild plant with extremely small populations, and progress in China's implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Although enormous advances have been made in conservation policies and legislations, protection systems, and research, as well as public education and international collaborations, the conservation efficiency is still restricted largely by the conflict between economic growth and biodiversity conservation in China. In order to meet its commitments to the new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, more work on basic investigation and long-term observation, as well as advanced technologies and application-oriented research on REPs should be carried out.