International Day of the Tropics: Ecological treasures and resilience

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June 29 marks International Day of the Tropics, established by the United Nations in 2016 to celebrate the ecological diversity of tropical regions, assess regional progress, share tropical stories and wisdom, and rally global attention to the unique challenges and opportunities faced by tropical nations.

Tropical areas, covering about 40 percent of the world's landmass, harbor nearly 80 percent of global biodiversity. They boast 95 percent of the world's mangrove resources and 99 percent of mangrove-endemic species. However, tropical forests and coral reefs now face severe threats from deforestation, ocean acidification, and climate change.

Hainan continues to restore mangroves and protect endangered rare ancient tree populations. /CMG

In 2021, Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea (commonly known as the purple-leaf plum) was officially listed as a first-class national protected plant in China. /CMG

Flowers in the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, Changjiang County, south China's Hainan Province, June 14, 2024. /VCG

Underwater "nurseries" in the Caribbean. /Scuba Diving

An aerial photo taken with a drone shows deforestation in the Ituri rainforest, an area of immense biodiversity in northeastern Congo, October 23, 2020. /VCG

African forest elephant in Lekoli River, Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Cuvette-Ouest Region, Republic of the Congo. /VCG

This photo collection focuses on two themes – "Tropical Ecological Barriers" and "Tropical Climate Resilience" – and showcases conservation efforts across the globe. Highlights include mangrove protection in Hainan, China, rare species in Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, underwater "nurseries" in the Caribbean, and the Congo Basin rainforest. These images reveal the immense value of tropical ecosystems and pathways to sustainable development, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard these vital natural treasures for future generations.