A groundbreaking atlas documenting the rare wildlife of northwest China's Qilian Mountains has been released by the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology (NWIPB), offering unprecedented insights into one of Asia's critical ecological zones. Spanning Gansu and Qinghai provinces, the mountain range serves as a vital barrier for regional biodiversity and water security.
Science Meets Art
Edited by researcher Zhang Tongzuo, the atlas combines rigorous scientific data from China's second Qinghai-Xizang Plateau survey with striking photography. It marks the first systematic visual record of the region's wildlife, including elusive species like the Gansu red deer.
Ecological Significance
The publication underscores China's intensified conservation efforts in the Qilian Mountains, which host over 3,000 species of flora and fauna. Researchers emphasize the project's role in raising public awareness about sustainable development in ecologically fragile areas.
The NWIPB collaborated with local conservationists and international scientists to compile data over five years, creating a benchmark for future ecological studies across Asia's high-altitude regions.
