Recommendations to Reinforce the Implementation of China's Updated National Key Protected Wild Plants List

Abstract

Besides global climate change and the pollution crisis, the global biodiversity crisis is one of the key challenges that must be overcome to secure the development and prosperity of human societies across the globe. China's commitment to resolving this crisis is reflected in the updated list of National Key Protected Wild Plants (NKPWP), which aims to provide a framework to protect all plant species occurring in China and to secure access to plant-derived natural resources in support of the transition toward an ecological civilization. While the updated NKPWP has addressed many previous challenges, further advances are achievable by considering several recommendations put forward in this opinion study: (1) Employ integrative taxonomy to resolve taxonomic ambiguities that hamper conservation actions; (2) implement adaptive conservation strategies integrating technological solutions and local community-based monitoring; (3) promote science-driven, sustainable utilization of plant resources; and (4) promote transboundary conservation by emphasizing international collaboration in conservation-oriented research and the implementation of conservation policies. Together with recommendations from other stakeholders, continued revisions to the NKPWP will be a key process for securing the successful protection of all species and associated plant resources.

Keywords

convention on biological diversity / cross-border conservation / implementation of conservation actions / Kunming–Montreal global biodiversity framework

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2025 The Author(s). Integrative Conservation published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG).