China

This biosphere reserve is located in the northwestern part of Fujian Province in south-east China. The designated area includes a range of vegetation types, with differences largely varying according to elevation (200 to 2,158 meters above sea level). Probably the most extensive and important vegetation type is the evergreen broad-leaved forest, which includes some of the largest tracts of humid sub-tropical forests in the world. Habitats of special interest for conservation are Taxus chinensis communities and the middle mountain dwarf forest.

Mount Wuyi, inscribed on the World Heritage List, is a landscape of great beauty that has been protected for more than twelve centuries and it contains several exceptional archaeological sites. About 2,450 people live on a permanent basis in the buffer zone and some 8,955 people in the transition area of the biosphere reserve (1999). They are mainly living from tea and Mao bamboo plantation and its processing. Eco-tourism is developing quickly and there are now about 20,000 visitors per year in the biosphere reserve (1999). To increase public awareness and environmental education, a programme has been set up including a museum and a wildlife resource center. A Joint Committee for Conservation tries to promote the participation of local people in the management of the biosphere reserve.