Photo shows Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, a first-class protected wild plant in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Fan Shucai)

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Cao Hua) news: Recently, the People's Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region issued the newly adjusted list of key protected wild plants in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (hereinafter referred to as “the list”), in which 138 species of wild plants were selected, including 49 species of autonomous region-level first-class protected wild plants and 89 species of autonomous region-level second-class protected wild plants.

Xinjiang is rich in wild plant resources, which is well known at home and abroad. In order to strengthen the protection of wild plant resources, Xinjiang issued a list of key protected wild plants in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (the first batch) in 2007, involving 129 species. In recent years, with the protection of some endangered wild plants, the degree of endangerment has been alleviated, but some wild plants are facing increased danger and risk due to changes in the living environment and over-utilization, so it is necessary to adjust the original list to eliminate adverse effects or threats.

In 2022, Xinjiang launched the selection of species for the new version of the list. Through the procedures of selection, demonstration and soliciting opinions and suggestions, a list covering the important and endangered protected wild plants in Xinjiang was formed, which was finally approved and released by the People's Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Compared with the original list, the new version of the list retains 53 species with their protection level staying unchanged, such as Xinjiang Lycium barbarum, Cistanche salsa, Xinjiang Lilium, etc., and 18 species with their protection level changed, such as Xinjiang Reaumuria soongonica, Ferula feruloides, Arnebia tschimganica, etc. Due to effective protection, the number of some species has recovered significantly, and 30 species have been cancelled from the original list, such as Calligonum taliense panted in the Taklimakan Desert, Haloxylon persicum, etc.; and 67 new species have been added to the list, such as Xinjiang garlic, Ferula foetida, Xinjiang Epipactis helleborin, etc.

It is worth noting that wild plants of Rhodiola rosea Linnaeus (12 species) and Saussurea gossipiphora D. Don (8 species) were all listed because of the serious illegal picking. In addition, all species of Orchidaceae are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As the habitat of Orchidaceae plants is special, some species are distributed in stenochory, and their living environment is fragile, so all species of Orchidae distributed in Xinjiang are on the list.

Photo shows staff members of the Forestry and Grassland Administration, in conjunction with the Market Supervision and Administration Bureau in Hotan Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, inspect agricultural markets, restaurants and dried fruit shops to crack down on illegal trade of wildlife. (Photo by Liu Fulin)

At present, Xinjiang has completed the publication of the list of national key protected wild plants in Xinjiang and the list of key protected wild plants in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The two lists further improve the protection system of key wild plants and lay a foundation for the protection of wild plants in Xinjiang in the new era. Xinjiang will strengthen the protection and restoration of the original habitat of wild plants, implement dynamic monitoring of wild animal and plant resources, improve the public's understanding of wild plants, and form a good situation for the whole society to protect wild plants by relying on nature reserves, the national forest germplasm resources preservation bank and the Xinjiang forest germplasm resources preservation bank (facility bank).

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