Near Zhang Jia Jie, China Photograph by Scott Carr   Eastern Asia: Eastern China Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   256,200 square miles (663,600 square kilometers) -- about the size of Texas Critical/Endangered

· Luxuriant Forests
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Luxuriant Forests

The Jiannan Subtropical Evergreen Forests are in an extensive, low mountain region that supports luxuriant subtropical forest vegetation, as well as large amounts of important products such as tea, citrus, lychee fruit, and longan fruit. Hundreds of bird species migrate through the region, while threatened monkeys, pheasants, and the ancestors of several commercially important tree species continue to survive in the remote backcountry of this region. Many species here are endemic and are the focus of conservation efforts.

Special Features

The Jiannan Forests grow on hills that stretch between southern China's coastal plains, the Yangtze and Pearl River basins, and the Guizhou and Yunnan Plateaus. The Nanling Mountains found here tower nearly 5,000 feet (1,500 m) above the surrounding areas. Granite, sandstone, limestone, and shale create different soil conditions, making vegetation lush in some places and sparse in others. The climate is mild, but typhoons and monsoons are common.

	The Jiannan Forests contain the wild ancestors of trees that are often commercially raised, including the ancient lychee tree. Lychees are perfectly adapted to the cool, dry winters and warm, wet summers of the ecoregion. Some do so well that they can live nearly 100 years.

Wild Side

The Nanling Mountains are recognized as a center of plant diversity and endemism. Protected plants and mammals live here, including the subtropical conifer Cathaya argyrophylla, the tree fern Cyathea spinulosa, the white-headed leaf monkey, Francois’ leaf monkey, and the southern serow--a type of goat-antelope. Protected birds include the Cabot’s tragopan and black stork. Protected amphibians and reptiles include the giant salamander and green turtle. Bamboo is a diverse and important part of the forest.

Cause for Concern

The conversion of forests to agricultural land, along with hunting, the collection of rare species for sale, and inadequate management of existing protected areas, are the main threats to this region.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.