China’s Fourth National Report on Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity Ministry of Environmental Protection November 2008 Table of Contents Executive Summary................................................................i Chapter I Status and Trends of, and Threats to Biodiversity in China ............. 1 1.1 Status of Biodiversity in China ...................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Forest biodiversity............................................................................................................1 1.1.2 Agricultural biodiversity ..................................................................................................2 1.1.3 Inland waters biodiversity................................................................................................2 1.1.4 Marine and coastal biodiversity .......................................................................................3 1.1.5 Grasslands biodiversity ....................................................................................................3 1.1.6 Desert biodiversity ...........................................................................................................4 1.2 Trends in Biodiversity of China..................................................................................................5 1.2.1 Change in ecosystem structure and function....................................................................5 1.2.2 Threats to species .............................................................................................................5 1.2.3 Loss of genetic resources .................................................................................................5 1.3 Analysis of Causes of Biodiversity Loss.....................................................................................6 1.3.1 Direct causes of biodiversity loss.....................................................................................6 1.3.2 Constraints on biodiversity conservation in China...........................................................7 Chapter II Current Status of Implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans..................................................................... 8 2.1 Overview of Biodiversity-Related Strategies and Action Plans..................................................8 2.1.1 Strategies..........................................................................................................................8 2.1.2 Plans and Programs..........................................................................................................9 2.2 Integration of 2010 Target into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans .................15 2.3 Main Activities Undertaken to Implement National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans20 2.4 China’s Achievements in Biodiversity Conservation ...............................................................27 2.5 Funding .....................................................................................................................................29 2.6 Experiences ...............................................................................................................................29 2.7 Lessons......................................................................................................................................31 Chapter III Integration of Biodiversity Conservation into Sectoral and Cross-Sectoral Strategies and Plans............................................................ 33 3.1 Agricultural Sector....................................................................................................................33 3.2 Forestry Sector ..........................................................................................................................34 3.3 Urban and Rural Development Sector ......................................................................................36 3.4 Marine Sector............................................................................................................................37 3.5 Water Resources Sector ............................................................................................................39 3.6 Education Sector .......................................................................................................................39 3.7 Science and Technology Sector ................................................................................................40 3.8 Poverty Alleviation and Development Sector ...........................................................................41 3.9 Other Sectors.............................................................................................................................42 3.10 Implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)................................................................................................................43 3.11 Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).....44 I 3.12 Implementation of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention on Wetlands) ...................................................................46 3.13 Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)......................................................................................................................................47 3.14 Adoption and Employment of the Ecosystem Approach in Related Sectors ..........................48 3.15 Integration of Biodiversity Conservation into Environmental Impact Assessments...............49 Chapter IV Progress Towards the 2010 Target and Implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Convention............................................................... 51 4.1 Evaluation Indicators for the 2010 Target.................................................................................51 4.2 Statistical Analysis of the Evaluation Indicators for the 2010 Target.......................................53 4.2.1 Reduce the rate of biodiversity loss ...............................................................................53 4.2.2 Maintain ecosystem integrity and ecosystem goods and services..................................57 4.2.3 Reduce threats to biodiversity........................................................................................61 4.2.4 Promote sustainable use .................................................................................................66 4.2.5 Ensure access to genetic resources and equitable benefit sharing..................................69 4.2.6 Increase financial support...............................................................................................69 4.2.7 Promote public awareness..............................................................................................70 4.2.8 Application of the evaluation indicators for assessing progress towards the 2010 Target .................................................................................................................................................71 4.3 Progress Towards the 2010 Target............................................................................................72 4.4 Progress Towards Achieving Goals and Objectives of the Strategic Plan................................74 4.5 Conclusions...............................................................................................................................76 4.5.1 Contribution of CBD implementation to biodiversity conservation and ecological conservation in China..............................................................................................................76 4.5.2 Experiences and lessons from the CBD implementation ...............................................76 4.5.3 Future priorities and capacity-building needs ................................................................76 Appendix I Information Concerning Reporting Party and Preparation of National Report.........79 Appendix II Progress Towards the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and the Programme of Work on Protected Areas.................................................................................................................85 Annex III Information to be Submitted by Parties through National Report as Required by COP 8 Decisions......................................................................................................................................97 II Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations CAS Chinese Academy of Sciences CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CCICED China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora COD Chemical Oxygen Demand COMRA China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association COP Conference of Parties CSPA China Strategy for Plant Conservation EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ESIEMO Endangered Species Import and Export Management Office (of China) GAC General Administration of Customs GEF Global Environment Facility GSPC Global Strategy for Plant Conservation IAS Invasive Alien Species IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IUCN World Conservation Union ISA International Seabed Authority