Balancing Conservation and Economic Development in China's Collective Forests

A Critically Endangered Species in China

The lush tropical and mountain forests of Southeast Asia are home to various gibbon species, including the Skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing). These small apes are highly sensitive to environmental changes and serve as indicator species for forest conservation. Sadly, all gibbon species face threats of habitat loss and degradation, with most now classified as endangered or critically endangered.

The Skywalker hoolock gibbon, named by Chinese scientists in 2017, is a quintessential arboreal forest dweller, relying primarily on ripe fruit for sustenance. A 2017 survey estimated that fewer than 200 individuals inhabit China, primarily in the Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve and parts of Yingjiang and Tengchong counties in Yunnan province.

The Lisu people, who have a traditional culture of protecting gibbons, play a crucial role in the survival of this species. Nearly half of China's Skywalker hoolock gibbon population inhabits collective forests near Lisu villages in Yingjiang and Tengchong. These forests, located about 45 kilometers from the Gaoligongshan nature reserve, serve as vital habitats for the gibbons and income sources for local villagers.

Cultivating Chinese black cardamom (Amomum tsaoko), a shade-loving plant, in these forests has become a significant economic activity for the communities. This time-honored agroforestry practice is widely embraced in Southeast Asia, with China accounting for 78% of global cardamom cultivation, primarily in Yunnan.

However, cardamom cultivation can have negative impacts on the gibbon's habitat. To optimize cardamom yield, farmers often fell trees and clear portions of the undergrowth, which can disrupt the forest ecosystem and reduce the availability of food and shelter for the gibbons. Finding a balance between economic development and conservation is crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of the Skywalker hoolock gibbon and other endangered species in China.