•  
  •  
 

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Keywords

China, Laos, community with a shared future for biodiversity, biodiversity loss, plant diversity, transboundary biodiversity conservation, Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

Laos is the first country to sign the bilateral cooperation document for construction of the community with a shared future with China. Over the years, Laos and China have established clear directions for cooperation in politics, economy, security, culture, and ecology, opening a new chapter in the development of China-Laos relations. At present, global environmental governance is facing severe challenges, and the biodiversity loss has become a major international issue of growing concern. Nevertheless, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development remain relatively limited. Laos shares a boarder with China and is characterized by complex natural environments with rich plant resource. Yet, the lack of coordination among plant diversity, conservation, and social development has seriously constrained the advancement of related disciplines. Therefore, the study systematically sorted out the current status and existing problems of plant diversity in Laos and proposed future perspectives. Further, it summarized the contributions made by Chinese scientists, especially the efforts of those from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (CAS) on plant diversity in Laos. These include upcoming joint scientific expeditions, transboundary biodiversity conservation, talents cultivation programs, and the compilation of the Flora of Laos. Through continued collaboration and joint efforts between Chinese and Laotian scientists, plant diversity in Laos is expected to become a model for regional biodiversity cooperation in Southeast Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative. Such collaboration will further enhance China’s leadership in global biodiversity conservation and contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese solution to build a China-Laos community with a shared future for biodiversity.

First page

1365

Last Page

1375

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

References

[1] Myers N, Mittermeier R A, Mittermeier C G, et al. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature, 2000, 403: 853-858.

[2] 孟宏虎, 宋以刚. 东南亚生物地理格局：回溯与思考. 生物多样性, 2023, 31(12): 23261.Meng H H, Song Y G. Biogeographic patterns in Southeast Asia: Retrospectives and perspectives. Biodiversity Science, 31(12): 23261. (in Chinese)

[3] Kooyman R M, Morley R J, Crayn D M, et al. Origins and assembly of Malesian rainforests. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 2019, 50: 119-143.

[4] Replumaz A, Tapponnier P. Reconstruction of the deformed collision zone between India and Asia by backward motion of lithospheric blocks. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 2003, 108(B6): 2001JB000661.

[5] Tapponnier P, Lacassin R, Leloup P H, et al. The Ailao Shan/Red River metamorphic belt: Tertiary left-lateral shear between Indochina and South China. Nature, 1990, 343: 431-437.

[6] Suraprasit K, Shoocongdej R, Chintakanon K, et al. Late Pleistocene human paleoecology in the highland savanna ecosystem of mainland Southeast Asia. Scientific Reports, 2021, 11: 16756.

[7] Hamilton R, Amano N, Bradshaw C J A, et al. Forest mosaics, not savanna corridors, dominated in Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Maximum. PNAS, 2024, 121: e2311280120.

[8] Morley C K, Wang Y. The Cenozoic hyper-oblique collision zone of Indochina: A re-appraisal of escape tectonics. Earth-Science Reviews, 2023, 243: 104453.

[9] 谭运洪. 老挝植物区系研究回顾. 人与生物圈, 2020, (3): 28-31. Tan Y H. Review of floristic research in Laos. Man and the Biosphere, 2020, (3): 28-31. (in Chinese)

[10] Kaislasalmi E. Comparative analysis of floristic diversity and stand structure in different forest categories and soco-ecological implications on forest in Laos. Helsinki: The University of Helsinki, 2024.

[11] Rao M, Johnson A A, Spence K, et al. Module 1. Introduction to Protected Areas in Lao PDR (Background, Presentation and Exercises). Vientiane: Wildlife Conservation Society & the National University of Laos, 2008.

[12] Zhu H. Floristic characteristics and affinities in Lao PDR, with a reference to the biogeography of the Indochina Peninsula. PLoS ONE, 2017, 12(6): e0179966.

[13] Vidal J. Les forêts du Laos. Bois Et Forets Des Tropiques, 1960, (70): 5-21.

[14] Vidal J. La végétation du Laos. Vientiane: Vithagna, 1972.

[15] Blasco F, Bellan M F, Aizpuru M. A vegetation map of tropical continental Asia at scale 1:5 million. Journal of Vegetation Science, 1996, 7(5): 623-634.

[16] Blasco F, Whitmore T C, Charles G. A framework for the worldwide comparison of tropical woody vegetation types. Biological Conservation, 2000, 95(2): 175-189.

[17] Loureiro J D. Flora Cochinchinense. Ulyssipone (Lisbon): Typis et Expensis Academicis, 1790.

[18] Vidal J. Noms Vernaculaires de Plantes (Lao, Mèo, Kha) en Usage au Laos. Paris: Ecole Française d’Extrême-Orient, 1959.

[19] Lecomte H, Hunbert H, Gagnepain F. Flore générale de l’Indo-Chine (9 vols). Paris: Masson & Cie Editeurs, 1907-1951.

[20] Aubréville A, Tardieu-Blot N L, Vidal J E. Flore du Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam. Paris: Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 1960.

[21] Callaghan M. Checklist of Lao Plant Names: Lao Plants Listed by Botanical, Common and Regional/Asean names with Lao Names & Lao Script. Vientiane: Self-publication, 2004.

[22] Newman M, Ketphanh S, Svengsuksa B, et al. A Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Lao PDR. Scotland: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 2007.

[23] Averyanov L V, Vislobokov N A, Nuraliev M S, et al. Aspidistra congestiflora (Asparagaceae, Convallarioideae), a new species from central Laos. Phytotaxa, 2025, 710(2): 184-190.

[24] Zhang Z, Averyanov L V, Nguyen K S, et al. Ficus flavifolia (Moraceae), a new climbing fig tree from central Laos. Phytotaxa, 2025, 701(1): 105-114.

[25] Schuiteman A, Bonnet P, Svengsuksa B, et al. An annotated checklist of the Orchidaceae of Laos. Nordic Journal of Botany, 2008, 26(5-6): 257-316.

[26] Ding H B, Yang B, Zeng X D, et al. Jasminanthes laotica (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), the first new species of Jasminanthes described from Laos. Phytotaxa, 2019, 393(3): 297-300.

[27] Ding H B, Maw M B, Yang B, et al. An updated checklist of Begonia (Begoniaceae) in Laos, with two new species and five new records. PhytoKeys, 2020, 138: 187-201.

[28] Ding H B, Xiong K C, Yang B, et al. New species and taxonomic notes of Aspidistra (Asparagaceae) for the flora of China and Laos. Taiwania, 2021, 66(3): 439-449.

[29] Yang B, Zhu R B, Ding H B, et al. A new species and two new records of Goniothalamus (Annonaceae) from Lao PDR. PhytoKeys, 2020, 138: 17-25.

[30] 刘博, 孙静, 马克平.老挝植物多样性编目及保护. 人与生物圈, 2020, (3): 32-33. Liu B, Sun J, Ma K P. Inventory and Conservation of Plant Diversity in Laos. Man and the Biosphere, 2020, (3): 32-33. (in Chinese)

[31] Van Sam H, Nanthavong K, Kessler P J A. Trees of Laos and Vietnam: A field guide to 100 economically or ecologically important species. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants, 2004, 49(2-3): 201-349.

[32] Meng H H, Zhou S S, Li L, et al. Conflict between biodiversity conservation and economic growth: Insight into rare plants in tropical China. Biodiversity and Conservation, 2019, 28(2): 523-537.

[33] 朱洪革, 拿萨冲, 蔡颖莉, 等. 老挝天然林资源保护及可持续经营对策. 中国林业经济, 2022, (2): 126-130. Zhu H G, Na S C, Cai Y L, et al. Protection of natural forest resources and sustainable management strategies in Laos. China Forestry Economics, 2022, 173(2): 126-130. (in Chinese)

[34] Paxoumphone K. 老挝森林生态保护政策的效果评价及优化研究. 哈尔滨: 东北林业大学, 2024. Paxoumphone K. Research On Effect Evaluation and Optimization of Forest Ecological Protection Policy in Laos. Harbin: Northeast Forestry University, 2024. (in Chinese)

[35] Meng H H, Zhou S S, Jiang X L, et al. Are mountaintops climate refugia for plants under global warming? A lesson from high-mountain oaks in tropical rainforest. Alpine Botany, 2019, 129(2): 175-183.

[36] 孟宏虎, 高晓阳. “一带一路”上的全球生物多样性与保护. 中国科学院院刊, 2019, 34(7): 818-826. Meng H H, Gao X Y. Global biodiversity and conservation along the Belt and Road Initiative. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019, 34(7): 818-826. (in Chinese)

[37] 王林, 王利繁, 易晓燕, 等. 生物圈的跨境保护——以西双版纳世界生物圈保护区为例. 中国科学院院刊, 2025, 40(9): 1606-1613. Wang L, Wang L F, Yi X Y, et al. Transboundary conservation of biosphere: Case study from Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2025, 40(9): 1606-1613. (in Chinese)

Download
Request a Copy

Share

COinS