Coverage and distribution of national key protected wild species in China’s nature reserves

Aims: Nature reserves are essential venues for the conservation of wild flora and fauna, and the coverage of species protection by nature reserves has always been a focal point.Methods: This study utilized GBIF data, literature sources, and scientific research data from nature reserves, drawing on the List of National Key Protected Wild Animals (2021 Edition) and the List of National Key Protected Wild Plants (2021 Edition), to analyze the coverage and distribution of national key protected wild species within nature reserves in China. Results:The results indicate that 78.12% of the national key protected wild species are conserved within nature reserves.Specifically, the coverage for key protected wild animals is found to reach 85.58%, while for key protected wild plants, it is 71.95%.The spatial density distribution of wild species within nature reserves is uneven, displaying adecreasing trend from southwest to northeast.At the family level, the highest protection coverage is observed for Orchidaceae, followed by Fabaceae, Lycopodiaceae, and Pinaceae.In terms of provincial distribution, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guangdong have the highest number of national key protected wild species.Conclusion: Overall, the majority of national key protected wild species are effectively conserved within nature reserves, and nature reserves play an important role in protecting biodiversity in China and fulfilling the commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.