China's national nature reserves have demonstrated significant ecological recovery, according to a three-year assessment released this week by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The 2022-2025 evaluation, conducted across 474 protected areas, reveals measurable progress in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration since the program's launch.
Key findings show over 90% of reserves reported population growth among protected species, with 80% achieving increased biomass and carbon storage capacity. Forest coverage expanded in 76% of monitored areas, while wetland preservation improved in 68% of surveyed regions.
Notable success stories include the Yangtze finless porpoise population growing from 192 to 269 individuals across Anhui and Hubei reserves, and Shennongjia's golden snub-nosed monkey population increasing by 10% since 2022. Nearly all reserves (99%) met or exceeded conservation performance targets.
"These results demonstrate China's commitment to balancing ecological protection with sustainable development," stated a ministry spokesperson during the November 28 briefing. The assessment comes as China intensifies efforts to meet its 2035 biodiversity goals under the National Ecological Conservation Red Line initiative.
