China Red Data Book

Introduction

Throughout the world, experts and lay-people alike have increasingly become concerned about the tragic losses of wild species from their former ranges. Each volume of China Red Data Book is a warning sign, alerting us to the danger of the loss of numerous wild species from our country. It is our hope that these volumes will not only provide a warning, but will also provide a tool to help efforts to set these species on the road to recovery, and to ensure their continued existence in the wild in China.

The information contained in these volumes represents the collective views and knowledge of many scientists and experts. Although the Red Data Books have no official legal function, they may aid in the formulation of new legislation and in enforcement of existing laws. For example, species which are Class 2 Protected in our country can be captured and traded once quotas have been set, but how are these quotas to be set without scientific information about the status of these species? These books should also serve as the basis for setting priorities for conservation action, help in the formulation of conservation action plans and assist in the implementation of conservation programs. It is our hope that the book will also increase awareness among the general public, and among the leaders and experts responsible for setting wildlife policies. Finally, the books should provide direction and incentive for researchers, who are the ones we must rely onto fill the many gaps in our knowledge about these rare and endangered species.

China is a vast county with complex topography, climate and palaeo-history. As a result, China covers numerous biogeographic regions with varied ecosystems, and these serve as habitats for an enormous diversity of animal species. Because of the sheer numbers of species and because many of them live only in remote regions, information about most of China's species is very scanty. This is the reasons that it has taken many years to compile these volumes, and the reason for their limited scope. These first four volumes cover only China's vertebrates, which together comprise a small proportion of the total biodiveristy of animal species in China. A final list of species of conservation concern will be much longer, as it must also include the multitude of invertebrate species. Even among the vertebrate species covered in these first four volumes, there are many gaps and no doubt errors as well. These four volumes should not be considered to be the final word, but they represent a beginning of an important endeavor that should continue.

These volumes represents the contributions and efforts of many organizations and individuals. The work was initiated and supported by the China National Environmental Protection Agency, and organized by the China Scientific Authority of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The information these volumes contain represent the work not only of the compilers, but also of numerous specialists from research institutes, universities, nature reserves, and government agencies from throughout China. Both Chinese and international experts contributed.

The criteria of categories of species included in these volumes deserves some mention. Six categories are included; extinct, extirpated, endangered, vulnerable, indeterminate and rare. The categories are basically based on the criteria set out by the IUCN-Species Survival Commision for its global Red List. However, there are some important differences. The category "Extirpated" includes those species which experts believe have been lost from China, although they may be secure in other countries. The use of the category "Rare" has been discontinued by the IUCN-SSC, however it is used here for those species that have always been rare in China are not necessary to be vulnerable or endangered.

The expert reader will no doubt discover many gaps in our knowledge about many species. It is the editor's and the compilers' hope that future editions of this book will benefit from the reader's own contributions. Further efforts should be made to increase sharing of information and cooperation across disciplines, so that future editions of the Red Data Books can provide an even stronger foundation for efforts to save China's rich and diverse natural heritage of wild animals.

The China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals is a joint publication of China National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Scientific Commission, P.R.C (ESSC). We are very grateful to NEPA as well as their officials concerned for generously providing the financial support which made the project possible. We would also like to thank the State Councillor, Dr. SONG Jian, for his kind concern of the project. Finally, sincere thanks are due also to the coraborative compilers and working staff from the institutions involved during the years of compilation.

WANG Sung
Executive Vice Chairman,
Endangered Species Scientific Commission, P.R.C.