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China is home to great biodiversity and hence has earned a reputation as one of the 17 most biodiverse countries on the planet. This recognition is due, in large part, to the fact that it has 2 of the largest ecoregions on the planet: the Indomalaya and the Palearctic.
If you are interested in knowing which animals live in the forests of China or in its seas or you want to learn about the vegetation of China, we encourage you to delve into this article that we bring you from Green Ecologist where we tell you many details about the flora and fauna of China.
Characteristics of the flora and fauna of China
China is among the 17 most megadiverse countries on the planet and is the third country in the world with the greatest diversity of mammalian species, the eighth in birds, the seventh in reptiles and, finally, the seventh in amphibians.
The immense China's biodiversity It is home to more than 7,500 species of vertebrates including, specifically, almost 5,000 species of fish, more than 1,200 species of birds, almost 600 species of mammals, some 400 species of reptiles and more than 300 species of amphibians, along with more than 30,000 species of plants. If you ever dare to venture into this country, you will truly discover a extraordinary natural heritage.
Flora of China
The Chinese vegetation It is characterized by a great diversity of species and is one of the richest and most diverse in the world, representing around 1/8 of the total known plant species, many of which are endemic to the country. Due to the china weather, characterized by its variety and a wide range of temperatures, few are the species that do not grow in this country.
- Among the most representative specimens of china plants and trees stands the bonsai or Penjing, as it is called there. Although it is not a specific species, but a style of growing trees according to antiquity, it is very common to find this style of trees and plants kept much smaller than their actual size in nature.
- Another representative specimen is the bamboo, belonging to the genus Phyllostachys spp. and typically present in the homes of its inhabitants. Bamboo is a plant that can last for many years, preferably under direct sunlight, although it has a lot of resistance in the shade as well, and can reach 25 meters in length.
- Another Chinese plant species is ginseng, of the genre Panax. The most recognized species of ginseng is the Panax ginseng, to which numerous medicinal properties are granted, among them, properties to cope with stress, enhance concentration or memory and improve physical resistance.
- Perhaps the fruit of the lychee (Litchi chinensis), a tropical tree endemic to southeastern China.
- The kiwi or Chinese gooseberry (Delicious actinidia) a shrub with a fruit that is widely cultivated and marketed throughout the world. As for the flowers, the Lotus Flower stands out (Nelumbo nucifera), a special symbol of Buddhism given its representation of purity. This flower is typically found in swampy areas and has a high resistance capacity.
- We also find the chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora), native to central and eastern Asia, which represents the national flower of China. I know peonies with the properties of nobility and peace.
Fauna of China
The variety in the vegetation and landscape diversity of this country has given rise to a whole range of ecosystems of China that are home to exceptional animal life. Between the animal species of china, there are very curious specimens, such as:
- The black bear.
- The onager of Tibet.
- The giant salamander.
- The takin.
- The Argalis.
- The yaks.
- Thrushes.
It should be noted, on the other hand, that the great diversity of marine fauna of china has placed this country in the third position of this category. In particular, the South China Sea is recognized as one of the most beautiful areas on the planet. It is home to a large number of small islands along with more than 6,500 marine species.
Finally, there is a whole list of protected animals in China. This event is due to various actions. On the one hand, several wild animals in China are highly exposed to hunting and capture pressure given their valued value in the most ancient part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is still very active in some regions (since Traditional Chinese Medicine today Modern is more widespread and has left the issue of the use of animals behind), as well as in the gastronomy of this country. Some of the most sought after animals for medicinal purposes are pangolins, Indian rhinos, and tigers. On the other hand, other reasons fall on intensive crops, desertification, the reduction of unprotected forests or industrial and agricultural pollution.
Endangered animals in China
Between the Chinese animals in danger of extinction or in a state of vulnerability is it so:
- The snub-nosed golden monkeyRhinopithecus bieti)
- The panda bear or giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
- The Chinese alligator or Yangtze alligator (Alligator sinensis)
- The Amoy tiger or Xiamen tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis)
- The baiji (Lipotes vexillifer)
- Ilí's pike (Ochotona iliensis)
- The Chinese alligatorAlligator sinensis)
- The giant salamanderAndrias davidianus)
- The white dolphin of China (Sousa chinensis)
We recommend you meet more Animals in greater danger of extinction in Asia.
If you want to read more articles similar to Flora and fauna of China, we recommend that you enter our Biodiversity category.
