By Wang Fengjuan

China and Myanmar Conduct Joint Biodiversity Survey

By Wang Fengjuan

Researchers from both countries work together to chronicle Myanmar's plant and animal species, many of which are under threat

Oreoglanis hponkanensis, acranthera burmanica, neottia nujiangenisis, triplophysa xichouensis, bulbophyllum putaoensis...... Confused? All are scientif i c names for rare fl oral and fauna species newly discovered by researchers with the China-Myanmar joint fi eld biodiversity surveys conducted in central and northern Myanmar.

Unknown Species Shelter

After nearly a month of hard work in the wild from April 28 to May 26, members of the China-Myanmar Joint Field Biodiversity Survey Team had only a short break before they began to work on the identif i cation and research of newly-found species.

“From this survey, we discovered that northern Myanmar is a region with rich biological diversity. A large number of endangered species are preserved in the region, which can be referred to as a rare species shelter unique to this part of the world,”explained Li Ren, secretary of the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (SEABRI) based in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. However, traditional ways of hunting, fi shing, slash-and-burn cultivation and deforestation have been very harmful to the natural ecological environment of the region, posing a signif i cant threat to the region’s biodiversity.

Expedition team members observe birds in the jungle.

At the invitation of Myanmar’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), the survey was led by Quan Ruichang, a researcher and assistant director at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The expedition team consisted of 25 representatives from CAS’s botanical institute, zoological institute and international cooperation department, as well as Myanmar’s MONREC. They explored Mount Victoria, Hponkanrazi Wildlife Sanctuary and Hkakaborazi National Park, marking the fi fth joint survey of its kind.

On their expedition, the team witnessed traces of slashand-burn cultivation in fi ve locations. With crackling and burning, thousands of acres of trees were cut down and burnt to ash.

Myanmar’s biodiversity is under threat. What’s more, little is known about the extent and diversity of Myanmar’s fl ora and fauna, which poses a great obstacle in protection of the country’s biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. Therefore, a biodiversity survey was greatly needed, the aim of which was for researchers to complete a comprehensive list of Myanmar’s fl ora and fauna and provide foundational evidence for future Myanmar biodiversity conservation.

Not an Easy Job

The expedition team had to overcome all kinds of difficulties and hardships to survive and work in the wild. The expedition was carried out during the monsoon season, and the weather in the mountains was changeable. The terrain was tricky, with dangerous roads and deep trenches. The team members struggled forward on the muddy, winding mountainroads without proper medical support. They frequently encountered snakes. Mosquitoes, leeches and small insects were a nuisance in the forest, leaving red welts and swelling on the researchers’arms and legs.

Traffic was inconvenient in sparsely populated areas. Logistical support for the team was very difficult, and food was not easy to preserve. When the weather was fi ne, the team cooked rice on a portable stove. When it rained, their meals would simply be a few bites of convenience food under their raincoats.

Acranthera burmanica, a newly discovered rare species.

The expedition team relaxes during a lunch break.

Harsh conditions did not prevent the team from achieving their overall objectives. During the expedition, the researchers carried out extensive collection of the research materials of a number of unique species. They made observational records of the diversity of birds at dif f erent elevations along the route and collected various animal specimens. The team used 30 infrared cameras to take pictures of animals. They also collected a large number of specimens of invertebrates.

Initial analysis of the results shows that a new family of angiosperms, triuridaceae, a new genus of orchidaceae, nine to 12 suspected new plant species and nine new genera were discovered during the expedition. At present, the researchers are carrying out indepth analysis.

Cooperation in Scientif i c Research

“We look forward to more joint surveys like this in the future. From the survey, we have learned a lot from our Chinese friends,” said U Kyaw Win Muang, director of the Wood Research Department at the Myanmar Forest Research Institute. “We also hope that China will help train our young researchers and help us improve our scientif i c research equipment.”

U Kyaw Win Muang took part in the latest joint survey and said he would like to visit China for study in the future.

Myanmar is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots rarely covered by international academia and media. As a project of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s CAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Myanmar’s MONREC in March 2016. In accordance with the MOU, the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden worked with its Myanmar partner to establish SEABRI in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

SEABRI has been part of CAS’ef f orts to “go global”. At present, the institute has completed the construction of four joint laboratories in Nay Pyi Taw for in-depth analysis of fi eld survey results. Five young Myanmar researchers are employed there, participating in the laboratories’research operations.

“The establishment of SEABRI has brought new enthusiasm to Myanmar’s biodiversity research,” said U Khin Maung Yee, Permanent Secretary of MONREC. U Khin Maung Yee said he hopes that SEABRI will train a team of scientif i c researchers who will contribute to Myanmar’s future. He also hopes that China’s advanced science and technology can be applied in Myanmar to promote its economic and social development.

After fi ve successive largescale fi eld biodiversity surveys, the expedition team that began with eight members has grown to include 25 researchers. Over the course of their surveys, they have traveled about 2,000 kilometers and recorded nearly 10,000 species of plants and animals, 10 of which are newly discovered species. With that, the team has found some foundational evidence for future biodiversity conservation in Myanmar.