Biodiversity conservation in Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve, northeastern China: status, problem, and strategy

The Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve (CMBR) is the largest and one of the earliest natural reserves established in China. The continuous losses of species and ecosystems in the reserve since its establishment have raised numerous concerns within China and beyond, which also leads some people to question the function and efficiency of natural reserves in protecting biological and ecological resources. By collecting the published data, conducting field investigation, and interviewing local people, we present the current status of biological and ecological diversity/resources in the reserve and analyze the major factors causing biodiversity loss in the reserve in an ecological and socio-economic context. We found that the high human population pressure, mismanagement practices of resources, a poor resource evaluation system which underestimates the ecological value of the natural reserve, an inappropriate economic development policy, and rapid expansion of the tourist industry were the major causes leading to the biodiversity loss in the reserve in the past few decades. In order to manage the biological resources and biodiversity in the CMBR in a sustainable way, we recommend some strategies and measures which include balancing economic development and biological/ecological conservation, controlling human population in the reserve, encouraging collaboration within and outside the reserve, especially the areas around the reserve, enhancing governmental assistance and subsidy to the local residents, and promoting scientific research and biodiversity education in the local communities.