Cangshan Mountain's Hidden World: A Quarter of Yunnan's Plants Found

For four decades, the biodiversity of Cangshan Mountain remained largely unknown. A comprehensive three-year scientific census has concluded, revealing the mountain range, which comprises only 0.25 percent of Yunnan's land, hosts nearly a quarter of the province's plant species. This systematic study, the most thorough since the 1980s, confirms Cangshan as a critical biodiversity hub.

Researchers meticulously documented over 4,600 plant species, alongside 578 vertebrates and several species previously unknown to science. The census also established a detailed vegetation classification system, identifying types such as monsoon evergreen broadleaf forests. These findings underscore the intricate ecological balance maintained by each species within the mountain's ecosystem.

Beyond its rich flora and fauna, the survey highlighted Cangshan's vital role in supporting Erhai Lake, a major regional freshwater body. Advanced isotope analysis indicated that more than 65 percent of the lake's water originates from the mountain's surface and groundwater systems. Furthermore, the study observed a general increase in vegetation coverage since the late 1980s, with two-thirds of the area now in good or excellent ecological health.