As the second National Ecology Day is celebrated on August 15^th, the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province reveals that the province's forest coverage rate has reached 53.03%, with its forest stock volume,nature protected area, and the diversity of wild flora and fauna leading China's ecological indicators.

To date, Guangdong has meticulously enhanced the quality of its forests across 3.5799 million acres and planted 21.082 million saplings across counties, towns, and villages. These efforts have not only met but surpassed the ecological targets set by the Green and Beautiful Guangdong Campaign in advance of schedule. Guangdong has also seen a significant increase in the number of people participating in voluntary tree-planting activities, with over 196,000 events reported online, involving 1.255 million participants and resulting in the planting of more than 3.75 million trees, a substantial rise compared to the same period last year.

The verdant landscapes of southern Guangdong are being revitalized, with the harmonious integration of forests and urban areas steadily advancing.

This year, Guangdong continues to intensify the construction of demonstration sites for a green and beautiful Guangdong, managing and improving the existing 193 demonstration sites. The province is also fostering new sites centered around suburban and mountain parks, creating a cohesive network that includes demonstration forests, public welfare forest zones, and nature protected area, injecting new green momentum and advantages into the high-quality development of Guangdong.

All 21 prefecture-level cities in Guangdong have embraced the "National Forest City" initiative , with 27 counties (cities, districts) such as Shixing County in Shaoguan City joining the national forest city (county) initiative. The collective enhancement of the national forest city cluster is accelerating, fostering greater connectivity and coordinated growth among forest cities. Guangdong is also dedicated to crafting idyllic, eco-friendly, and business-friendly villages, with a focus on preserving natural ecosystems and revitalizing the use of ancient trees and red cultural resources. This year has seen the establishment of 17 forest villages, eight villages showcasing ancient trees in harmony with greenery, and eight villages that blend greenery with the legacy of the red culture in Guangdong.

Guangdong, renowned for its rich biodiversity, hosts 6,658 species of wild higher plants and 1,052 species of terrestrial vertebrates on record. It also leads the country with over 12,000 recorded insect species. Since 2020, the province has made remarkable discoveries, with over 60 new species of animals and plants added to its ecological ledger, including the Boulenophrys elongata , V. chaozhouensis , Camellia zijinica , Odorrana concelata , and the Calamaria arcana .

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

四年新记录物种逾60种！广东生态指标居全国前列

今年8月15日是第二个全国生态日。记者从省林业局获悉，广东省森林覆盖率达53.03%，森林蓄积量、自然保护地和野生动植物物种数量等关键生态指标居全国前列。

截至目前，广东已完成森林质量精准提升357.99万亩，县镇村绿化种植苗木2108.2万株，绿美广东生态建设两项关键指标提前超额完成；全省通过全民义务植树网上报义务植树活动超1.96万场次，参与人数125.5万人次，植树超375万株，较去年同期大幅增长。

片片新绿妆点南粤大地，林城相依的格局正在逐步深化。

今年，广东持续加大绿美广东生态示范点建设力度，建好管好现有193个示范点，推动各地新建一批以郊野公园、山地公园为主体的示范点，并把示范点与示范林场、公益林示范区和自然保护地有机串联，为广东高质量发展注入绿色新动能、增添新优势。

目前，广东全省21个地市都加入了“创森”行列，韶关始兴等27个县（市、区）加入了国家森林城市（县城）创建行列，国家森林城市群品质提升建设加快，有效促进森林城市间的互联互通、协调发展。广东还着力建设宜居宜业和美乡村，聚焦保护好自然生态，活化利用古树、红色文化等资源。今年以来，广东已建设森林乡村17个、绿美古树乡村8个、绿美红色乡村8个。

作为全国生物多样性最丰富的省份之一，广东历史记录分布有野生高等植物6658种，陆生脊椎野生动物1052种；记录分布昆虫超1.2万种，居全国之最。据不完全统计，2020年以来，广东省发现动植物新种超过60种，包括莲峰角蟾、潮州堇菜、紫金短柱茶、苔斑臭蛙、岭南两头蛇等。

文、图｜记者 张爱丽 通讯员 林荫
翻译 | 史洋溢
英文审校 | 赵凡