A wild population of Cycas szechuanensis, a critically endangered species under first-class national protection in China, has been discovered in Lianzhou, Qingyuan, Guangdong Province, the first wild cycad population recorded in the city.
Researchers from the Lianzhou Forestry Bureau and the School of Life Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University made the discovery during a joint field survey. They identified 15 mature plants growing on limestone cliffs, along with naturally regenerated seedlings, which they said indicates a healthy and stable wild population.
Often described as "living fossils," cycads originated about 300 million years ago and coexisted with dinosaurs. Cycas szechuanensis is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. The species grows in a narrow range of habitats and has strict ecological requirements.
Local forestry authorities said the discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Lianzhou's limestone ecosystems and reflects the effectiveness of ongoing conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring and stronger protection for rare wild species. They plan to continue monitoring the newly discovered population and to conduct research on its conservation and propagation.
Author | Huang Xinying
Photos | Qingyuan Fabu, Lianzhou Fabu
