Rare Acer miaotaiense discovered in northwest China's nature reserve

Researchers recently discovered a natural population of Acer miaotaiense, a wild plant under China's second-class state protection, in the Taibai Mountain National Nature Reserve in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Preliminary surveys show that the population consists of more than 30 individuals, including mature trees, saplings and seedlings. The population displays a complete age structure and healthy development, indicating a stable group.

Acer miaotaiense is endemic to China. It was first discovered in 1954 in Shaanxi's Miaotaizi Village, from which it derives its name.

The species has a very limited distribution range and highly specific habitat requirements. It is sensitive to environmental changes and has long been classified as a species with an extremely small population.

In 2021, Acer miaotaiense was included in China's List of National Key Protected Wild Plants.

As a relict species, its survival holds significant scientific value for studying the evolutionary history of the genus Acer, climate and environmental changes in geological history, and floristic relationships across several forest subregions.

(Cover: Acer miaotaiense. /Shaanxi Daily)