A report on investigation and assessment of biodiversity in Laoshan Mountain, Qingdao was recently unveiled. Initiated by a team for vegetation ecology and biodiversity protection under School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, the project also involved the participation of Ocean University of China and Qingdao Academy of Environmental Protection Science.

The team took nearly 30 months to investigate and assess in a systemic, complete and well-regulated manner ecosystems, terrestrial higher plants, terrestrial vertebrates, insects, aquatics and macro fungi in areas where biodiversity protection is prioritized, as well as other conventional groups. Thanks to historic data, the team has sorted out a total of 3,081 species or subspecies, which are composed of 1,671 species of terrestrial higher plants, 257 species of terrestrial vertebrates, 431 species of insects, 476 species of aquatics and 246 species of macro fungi. The discovery is a testament that Laoshan Mountain serves as an important ecological shelter and a habitat of a myriad of living beings in China’s warm temperature zone.

The investigation has found the presence of more than 50 key state-protected species in Laoshan Mountain. Among them, there are 16 key state-protected wild plant species, comprising two first-class state-protected plant species such as ginkgo (semi-wild) and metasequoia, and 14 second-class state-protected plant species ranging from Zoysia sinica, Qingdao lily, Glycine soja, and Foeniculum vulgare. Terrestrial vertebrates that have been discovered consist of black storks, oriental white storks and greater spotted eagles, three first-class key state-protected wild bird species, and 30 second-class key state-protected wild bird species such as smews, crested goshawks and Chinese sparrowhawks.    

The report has also published many new species or new species recordings. Among them, Dicranoptycha shandongensis is a new species first reported in the world. Through the first systemic and comprehensive survey, a total of 202 macro fungi species have been discovered in Laoshan Mountain.  (Wang Shifeng)

Qingdao lily.