Comprehensive Wildlife Atlas of the Qilian Mountains Published

The Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has announced the release of a significant atlas focused on the wildlife inhabiting the Qilian Mountains, which serve as an essential ecological security barrier along the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces in northwest China. This atlas is notable for being the first of its kind in China to thoroughly present the wildlife of this region, achieving a balance between scientific accuracy and striking visual representation, as stated by the editor Zhang Tongzuo, who is also a researcher at the institute.

The foundation of the atlas is rooted in the comprehensive findings from China's second research survey of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, providing the public with an insight into the rich biodiversity of the Qilian Mountains. It thoroughly catalogs a total of 396 representative wildlife species, which includes an impressive 349 bird species classified into 59 families and 47 mammalian species spanning 17 families. Each species featured in the atlas is accompanied by one to three high-resolution color photographs, allowing readers to easily identify various animals by their unique physical characteristics.

In addition to visual representation, the atlas provides in-depth information on each species, including scientific nomenclature, taxonomical classification, defining features, ecological behaviors, distribution at the county level within the mountain range, and conservation status. The Qilian Mountains themselves are characterized by their towering heights, averaging over 4,000 meters, straddling several major plateaus, namely the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the Loess Plateau. This remarkable mountain range sustains a diverse vertical ecosystem, which ranges from glacier-covered summits to arid deserts, thereby nurturing a mix of meadows, forests, and wetlands that serve as crucial habitats for numerous rare flora and fauna.

Zhang emphasized that the Qilian Mountains play a vital role in the conservation of national biodiversity, helping to uphold ecological stability in western China while ensuring the overall ecological security of the nation. The creation of this atlas has involved extensive efforts over the years, contributing both academically and practically for various stakeholders, including scientists, forestry specialists, birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and educators. The atlas is expected to enhance awareness regarding biodiversity protection in the region, motivate conservation initiatives, assist in ecological preservation efforts in western China, and foster a better relationship between humans and nature.