Conservation and development of the Daqishan Nature Reserve in Hubei Province, China

The Daqi Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve in eastern Hubei Province, China sustains a unique natural forest ecosystem. It is an important reserve for the conservation of several endangered species and is a native highland forest habitat in the mountainous region of central China. Global warming, biological invasions and human disturbance are seriously threatening some of its endemic species and the entire forest ecosystem. Some endangered species, including Chinemys reevesii, Hynobius chinensis, Paa boulengeri and Falco vespertinus, have experienced significant stresses and ecological challenges. In order better to protect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, some measures should be undertaken, including more research and ecological monitoring and the adoption of more reliable fire protection strategies and means of response. We hope that this study can provide useful information for the conservation and management of biodiversity in the forest ecosystems of central China.