You can find them in mountains and beside rivers, in the rain or deep into the night. During four years of biodiversity surveys, they have recorded over 4,000 kinds of wild animals and plants. High-definition videos were filmed for national first-class protected animals, including Chinese forest musk deer, sika deer, and zibeths. Additionally, they even discovered a new amphibian species — Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov.
They are a group of young people engaging in biodiversity surveys. Here are some stories about their journey of discovery.
"Be careful. Snakes are out in this season," Huang Heqing said to his colleagues, leading the way in Chongqing's Wuling Mountain municipal natural reserve in Qianjiang District.
Huang is a senior engineer at the Institute of Ecology and Environment, Chongqing Research Academy of Environmental Science. In 2018, he graduated from the Department of Wildlife Protection and Utilization, Beijing Forestry University, and then returned to Chongqing, his hometown, to serve as a biodiversity protector.
Observation equipment is installed in the Yellow River Qinghe Forest. (Photo/ Geng Junyu)
Huang said, "Protecting biodiversity is safeguarding the home on which human beings depend for survival. I am proud to contribute all my learning to this great cause as a scientific researcher!"
From April to August each year, Dr. Huang and his colleagues will intensively conduct field surveys, mainly in nature reserves of different types at all protection levels. Usually, during this period, the temperature in such reserves rises, the air becomes moist, and the day/night temperature differential expands. Mosquito infestations are also common.
Their luggage contains a great variety of equipment and tools, such as infrared cameras, tapes, distance meters, hand spades, notebooks, and tags.
Huang Heqing, Huang Qian, and Xiang Qiujie set up Ma's net in the field. (Photo/ Geng Junyu)
Field surveys are dangerous. Dr. Huang and his colleagues might encounter downpours, hail, landslides, and other natural disasters. Attacks by leeches and vipers are also not rarely seen. "The surveys themselves, results, and the happiness brought by discovering new species are enough to support me to overcome all challenges," said Dr. Huang.
In August 2021, Dr. Huang and his colleagues found a new species of Leptolalax during their biodiversity survey in Qiyao Mountain municipal nature reserve in Yunyang county. "The survey was carried out at night. We were first attracted by the call of what appeared to be a national second-class protected animal, Boulenophrys baolongensis, which turned out to be a black Leptolalax. Based on morphology, we thought it was different from the species recorded in China. To be sure, the team returned to the creek the next day and tried to collect specimens from nearly 40-meter-long banks covered by dead branches and rotten leaves. With these specimens, everyone was excited over the fact that we might discover a new species," recounted Dr. Huang.
Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov. (Photo/Chongqing Institute of Eco-Environmental Sciences)
They took the specimens back to the laboratory for morphological and molecular biological identification. The conclusion confirmed that what the team found was a new species, and it was named Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov. The result has been accepted by Asian Herpetological Research, an internationally authoritative zootaxy journal.
Huang explained, "The discovery biogeographically reflects the specificity of amphibian distribution in the mountains of northeastern Chongqing. Moreover, it proves that Chongqing features an originally sound environment and remarkable fruits in environmental protection."
Among the 4,000-plus kinds of wild animals and plants recorded by Dr. Huang and his colleagues, more than 200 species are under national key protection. The team has also made at least 1,000 specimens of wild animals and plants.
Huang Qian and Xiang Qiujie both graduated from Southwest University and devoted themselves to biodiversity conservation. (Photo/Geng Junyu)
Field surveys and specimen collection are helpful for further understanding species' distribution ranges and habitat status. As a result, scientific protection can be better provided. "Discovery is for better protection. We will continue biodiversity surveys and perfect comprehensive biodiversity monitoring networks to contribute to this field," said Dr. Huang.