Publisher's Synopsis
China is a country of incredible diversity. Its altitude ranges from the world's highest peak of Qomolangma (Mount Everest) to the world's second lowest point in the depths of the Turpan Baisin, far below sea level. Its climate ranges from the tropical rainforests and mangroves of the south to the extremes of the permafrost of Manchuria and the cold, dry desert of the north-west. Its forests range from tropical to coniferous, and along the Mongolian border flow some of the world's most extensive natural grasslands. In this great variety of habitats can be found an enormous wealth of animals, birds and plants which make this country;This illustrated book portrays and describes the natural history of China's major regions. It explores the reserves where the Giant Panda is now protected; the alpine meadows that are a botanist's treasurehouse of floral species; the wetlands - home of a million birds; turtle islands and tigers' stalking grounds; the autumn beauty of the Fragrant Hills; the teeming yellow waters of the great Yangtze river. A population of over one billion has had a massive impact on this natural wealth. Huge areas of fromer forest are now farmland and the pressure on the remaining wild places for fuel or hunting is a challenge for conservation. Nevertheless, China has established over 500 nature reserves, including some of the largest in the world and its scenery has been paid homage by the country's traditional landscape painters. biologically one of the richest on our planet.
