Biodiversity survey launched in Tibetan forest

A group of researchers and photographers have started a 15-day biodiversity survey in the virgin forest of southwest China's Tibet autonomous region.

The team will use cameras to record endangered species in Lulang Forest of Nyingchi prefecture in the southeast of Tibet, an area known for its rich biodiversity including all major vegetation of the northern hemisphere.

"We will trek to and around the Segrila Pass to take photos and notes of the plateau area's vegetation, birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals," explained Xu Jian, head of the expedition team, on Sunday.

Xu said he hoped their findings would prove helpful for the local nature reserve administration and forestry authorities in their future conservation efforts.

The survey was co-sponsored by two non-governmental organizations, the Biodiversity Image Survey to Tibet and the Images Bio-diversity Expedition.

The two organizations carried out three similar biodiversity surveys in Tibet from 2010 to 2011.

They recorded more than 850 wildlife species in the Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon and took photos of rare species including Zorotypus medoensis, a rarely seen insect, Asiatic wildcats and red gorals.

The team also completed anthropological surveys in 10 local villages.

An exhibition showcasing 120 photos of their travels has this year toured Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shanghai and Chengdu.