Biodiversity conservation is of great importance in constructing ecological civilization and concerns the future and well-being of humankind. Getting to know and understand our “friends” living on the same planet is both meaningful and most interesting.

Yunnan has the richest biodiversity among all of China’s provinces and is one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots globally with the most diverse and most threatened living species. It is renowned as the “Kingdom of Plants”， “Kingdom of Animals” and “Gene Bank of Species”. This book has more than 60 stunning ecological photographs taken in Yunnan， some of which are published for the first time， introducing 60 species that are endemic or unique to the province. The ecological photographers document the beauty of these living species. Even though they are just a drop in the ocean among Yunnan’s rich biodiversity， the life forms behind the still photographs still speak of the wonder of nature， our awe towards life， and the beauty of biodiversity.

This book takes readers into the snow-capped mountains， plateaus， valleys， rainforests， and wetlands of southern Yunnan， penetrating this land of vitality and rich biodiversity： here， fungi coexist with wondrous orchids， bumblebees help pollinate plants at the peaks of snow-capped mountains， and creatures evolve unique wisdom necessary for survival through mimicry or camouflage. Here， every living thing blossoms， becoming an integral part of the ecological balance， forming an animated world pulsating with life.

The book is divided into six sections： “Fungi/Lichens”， “Plants”， “Birds”， “Mammals”， “Amphibians/Reptiles”， and “Insects/Spiders”. It introduces species that are endemic to Yunnan Province or have unique characteristics， including 60 rare species like Chlorociboria sp.， Amanita hemibapha （half-dyed slender Caesar）， Lethariella cladonioides （locally known as “snow tea”）， Hichennophalia hudsonian， Rheum nobile （Sikkim or noble rhubarb）， Saussurea obvallata （Brahma Kamal）， Saussurea medusa （snow lotus）， Eriophyton wallichii， Sinopodophyllum hexandrum （Himalayan may apple）， Meconopsis， Pachylarnax sinica， Sapria himalayana， Cypripedium yunnanense， Porpax ustulata， green peafowl， great hornbill， greater flameback， yellow bittern， crested serpent eagle， takin， black-and-white snub-nosed monkey， Asian elephant， mountain weasel， leopard cat， emerald dragon lizard， emperor newt， Zhangixalus feae （Fea’s tree frog）， blue carpenter bee， orchid mantis， Macracantha arcuata （long-horned orb-weaver）， Rhyothemis fuliginosa （butterfly dragonfly）， Catacanthus incarnates （man-faced stink bug）， Iotaphora admirabilis， Stichophthalma mathilda， Fulfora candelaria， and Camponotus nicobarensis. It also records their intelligence and struggle in survival and endearing qualities. The photographs present the beauty of Yunnan’s natural ecology and biodiversity vividly.

Nearly 40 ecological photographers and scholars from institutes and associations like the China Photographers Association， Yunnan Photographers Association， Kunming Institute of Botany， and Kunming Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have traveled to the ancient land of Yunnan — from the peaks of snow-capped mountains at an altitude of nearly 5，000 meters to the hidden and magical tropical rainforests; from rocky and barren mountains to reedy wetlands; from dry and hot river valleys to the icy fringes of screes... They recorded Yunnan’s diverse species and the rich habitats in which they live —these precious records will serve as proof of the Earth’s rich biodiversity.

“Are there any plants without chlorophyll in the world？” “Can a woodpecker get a concussion？” “What is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly？” “Asian elephants are narcissistic， vegetarian， and highly intelligent.”... This book presents science in a rigorous yet enjoyable way for everyone， allowing readers to learn the survival strategies and wisdom of different organisms under different environments and assimilate knowledge in a fun and easy way. This is the beauty and allure of biological diversity.

The Convention on Biological Diversity classifies biodiversity into three levels： genetic diversity， species diversity， and ecosystem diversity， and this book introduces organisms and habitats that help one deeply appreciate the beauty of Yunnan’s biodiversity.

Rigorously reviewed by a team of scientific advisors and scholars

The team of scientific advisors for the book consists of Han Lianxian， a zoologist and secretary-general of the Yunnan Wildlife Conservation Association; Liu Guangyu， a science writer and the recipient of the “Guiding Star” Award from the Federation for Internet-based Public Science Education; Wang Lisong， a lichen biologist and researcher at the Kunming Institute of Botany， CAS （Chinese Academy of Sciences）; and Shi Jun， a doctor at the Institute of Botany， CAS， and a member of the Committee on Education and Popular Science of the Botanical Society of China. Many scholars from the Kunming Institute of Botany， Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming Institute of Zoology， CAS; Chengdu Institute of Biology， CAS; Nanjing Zijin Mountain Insect Museum; Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden， CAS; and Southwest Forestry University reviewed and gave advice on its scientific articles.