Laojunshan: A window into China’s wild southwest – news.cgtn.com

Conservation Report: Laojunshan National Nature Reserve and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 15

This report outlines the pivotal role of the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, China, in advancing global conservation objectives, with a specific focus on its alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

Establishment and Strategic Importance for SDG 15

The Laojunshan National Nature Reserve represents a targeted national effort to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems. Its establishment and operational mandate directly support the targets of SDG 15.

• Founded: 2000
• Designated National Status: 2011
• Primary Mandate: The first protected area in China created specifically for the conservation of a pheasant species, the Sichuan Partridge. This focused approach is critical for halting biodiversity loss (SDG Target 15.5).

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Protection

Located within the Hengduan Mountains biodiversity hotspot, the reserve is a crucial sanctuary for numerous species, demonstrating a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding mountain ecosystems (SDG Target 15.4).

Key Protected Species

• Sichuan Partridge: The reserve is home to over 400 individuals, constituting approximately 20% of the known global population of this rare, endemic species.
• Flagship Species: The reserve also protects iconic animals such as the giant panda and the red panda.
• Vertebrate Species: Over 370 vertebrate species have been documented, highlighting the reserve’s rich biodiversity.

The protection of this wide array of wildlife underscores the reserve’s contribution to maintaining the genetic diversity and ecological balance essential for achieving SDG 15.

Alignment with National Conservation Strategies and Global Goals

The success of Laojunshan is indicative of China’s broader commitment to science-based conservation and the integration of sustainable development principles into national policy. These efforts are fundamental to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Expansion of Protected Areas: The establishment of reserves like Laojunshan contributes directly to SDG Target 15.1, ensuring the conservation of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
2. Enhanced Wildlife Monitoring: Systematic monitoring programs within the reserve provide critical data for informed conservation actions, aligning with the scientific and research-oriented aspects of sustainable ecosystem management.
3. Habitat Restoration: Investment in restoring native habitats within and around the reserve is a key action for combating land degradation and reversing biodiversity loss.

The recognition of Pingshan County as the “Hometown of the Sichuan Partridge” by the China Wildlife Conservation Association further illustrates how conservation efforts can be integrated with local development, fostering community engagement and support for the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to SDG 15: Life on Land. The entire text is focused on the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The core theme of the article is the protection of the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, a terrestrial ecosystem in the Hengduan Mountains. It details efforts to conserve wildlife, specifically the Sichuan Partridge, and halt biodiversity loss. The article explicitly mentions the reserve “shelters an extraordinary variety of wildlife,” including “Giant pandas, red pandas and more than 370 vertebrate species,” which directly aligns with the goal of protecting life on land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Several targets under SDG 15 are directly relevant to the conservation efforts described in the article:

1. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
   • Explanation: The establishment of the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve in 2000 and its designation as a national reserve in 2011 is a direct action to ensure the conservation of a mountain forest ecosystem, as mentioned in the article: “Nestled within the Hengduan Mountains biodiversity hotspot, it shelters an extraordinary variety of wildlife.”
2. Target 15.4: By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.
   • Explanation: The article specifically identifies the reserve’s location in the “Hengduan Mountains biodiversity hotspot.” The conservation efforts are focused on this mountain ecosystem and its unique species, thereby contributing directly to this target.
3. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Explanation: This is the most prominent target addressed. The article highlights that the reserve is the “cornerstone of efforts to conserve this elusive bird [the Sichuan Partridge],” which is described as “one of the world’s rarest pheasants.” The reserve’s purpose is to protect this threatened species and its habitat, directly aligning with the goal of preventing extinction and halting biodiversity loss.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains both quantitative and qualitative information that can serve as indicators for the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 15.1 & 15.4 (Conservation of ecosystems): The existence and status of the protected area itself. The article states, “Founded in 2000 and designated a national nature reserve in 2011, Laojunshan is China’s first protected area created specifically for pheasant conservation.” This designation serves as an indicator of the proportion of important biodiversity sites that are protected.
• Indicator for Target 15.5 (Protecting threatened species): The article provides specific population data for the key species. It states that “Over 400 Sichuan Partridges live within the reserve, accounting for roughly one-fifth of the species’ known global population.” This number is a direct indicator of the status of a threatened species.
• Indicator for Target 15.5 (Halting biodiversity loss): The article mentions the overall biodiversity of the reserve: “Giant pandas, red pandas and more than 370 vertebrate species roam its forests.” The number of species protected within the reserve is an indicator of its effectiveness in halting biodiversity loss.
• Indicator of National Policy and Planning: The article implies progress on a national level by stating, “Laojunshan’s story also reflects China’s broader shift toward science-based conservation. In recent years, the country has expanded protected areas, strengthened wildlife monitoring programs and invested in restoring native habitats.” This statement acts as a qualitative indicator of national strategies being implemented to protect biodiversity.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.cgtn.com