Biodiversity in the Wuyi Mountains and its importance in China
论武夷山在中国生物多样性保护中的地位

The Wuyi Mountains are located in northwestern Fujian Province,and contain the Huanggangshan, the highest peak in southeastern China, at an elevation of 2158 m. In this mountainous district, withwarm and moist climate , the species diversity is high. The known species of higher plants reaches 2615, andanimals 5249. The endemic, ancient, relic, and rare species are plentiful. Some of them distributed here emerge variations.It is famous for large number of animal type specimens.So it is an important center for speciation, as well as "refuge" in southeastern part of China. Ecosystems are also diverse. Some old and famoustrees, aged more than 200, even 1000 years can be found. Therefore, in China's Biodiversity: A CountryStudy, the Wuyi Mountains are listed as one of the eleven terrestrial critical regions for bioidiversity conservation in China. Besides, on the bank of Giuqu Stream, there exists two steles recording the proclamations ofEmperors Kangxi and Qianlong, which laid prohibitions againsting felling trees and fishing in the stream. Itindicates that this is one of the regions with old tradition to protect biodiversity.