Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Mulun National Nature ...

Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at 

Mulun National Nature Reserve, North Guangxi, 

China, 18 to 23 July 1998 

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden 

in collaboration with 

Guangxi Forestry Department 

Guangxi Institute of Botany 

Guangxi Normal University 

South China Normal University 

Xinyang Teachers' College 

June 2002 

South China Forest Biodiversity Survey Report Series: No. 13 

(Online Simplified Version)

Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Mulun National Nature 

Reserve, North Guangxi, China, 18 to 23 July 1998 

Editors 

John R. Fellowes, Michael W.N. Lau, Billy C.H. Hau, 

Ng Sai-Chit, Bosco P.L. Chan and Gloria L.P. Siu 

Contributors 

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden: Billy C.H. Hau 

John R. Fellowes 

Michael W.N. Lau 

Lee Kwok Shing 

Graham T. Reels 

Gloria L.P. Siu 

Bosco P.L. Chan 

Ng Sai-Chit 

Guangxi Forestry Department: Qin Wengang 

Tan Weining 

Xu Zhihong 

Guangxi Institute of Botany: Wei Fanan 

Wang Yuguo 

Wen Hequn 

Guangxi Normal University: Lu Liren 

Xinyang Teachers’College: Li Hongjing 

South China Normal University: Lu Pingke 

Voluntary consultant: Keith D.P. Wilson 

(BH) 

(JRF) 

(ML) 

(LKS) 

(GTR) 

(GS) 

(BC) 

(NSC) 

(QWG) 

(TWN) 

(XZH) 

(WFN) 

(WYG) 

(WHQ) 

(LLR) 

(LHJ) 

(LPK) 

(KW) 

Background 

The present report details the findings of a trip to the north of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous 

Region by members of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in Hong Kong and their 

colleagues, as part of KFBG's South China Biodiversity Conservation Programme. The overall 

aim of the programme is to minimise the loss of forest biodiversity in the region, and the 

emphasis in the first phase is on gathering up-to-date information on the distribution and status of 

fauna and flora. 

Citation 

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, 2002. Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Mulun 

National Nature Reserve, North Guangxi, China, 18 to 23 July 1998. South China Forest 

Biodiversity Survey Report Series (Online Simplified Version): No. 13. KFBG, Hong Kong SAR, 

ii + 26pp. 

Copyright 

© Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden Corporation 

Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong SAR 

June 2002 

- i -

Contents 

Objectives ……………………………………………………………………………….. 1 

Methods …………………………………………………………………………….…… 1 

Location and management …………………………………………………….………… 2 

Vegetation………………………………………………………………………….…….. 2 

Results …………………………………………………………….…………………..…. 3 

Flora …………………………………………………………………………..….. 3 

Mammals ………………………………………….………………….………….. 9 

Birds ……………………………………………………………..……………….. 10 

Reptiles and Amphibians …………………………………………..…………….. 13 

Fish ………………………………………………………………………………. 15 

Ants ……………………………………………………………………………… 16 

Dragonflies ………………………………………………………………………. 18 

Butterflies ………………………………………………………………………… 19 

Summary of flora and fauna …………………………………………………..…………. 21 

Threats and problems …………………………………………………………………… 22 

Opportunities and recommendations ………………………………………………….… 22 

Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………….…….. 22 

References …..………………………………………………………………………….. 23 

Figure 1. Map...…..………………………………………………………………………. 26 

Common geographical descriptions and their Chinese phonetics 

English meaning 

Chinese phonetics (pinyin) 

East 

dong 

South 

nan 

West 

xi 

North 

bei 

mountain 

shan 

range 

ling 

peak 

feng, ding 

valley 

keng, gu 

island 

dao 

river 

he, chuan, jiang 

stream 

xi, yong 

lake 

hu, chi 

sea 

hai 

harbour 

gang 

bay 

wan 

outlet 

kou 

city 

shi 

county 

xian 

village 

xiang, cun 

hamlet 

tun 

the Chinese system of geomancy feng shui 

- ii -

Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Mulun National Nature 

Reserve, North Guangxi, China, 18 to 23 July 1998 

Objectives 

The aims of the survey were to collect up-to-date information on the fauna and flora of Mulun 

National Nature Reserve, and to use this to help determine conservation priorities within South 

China. 

Methods 

On 16 July 1998 part of the team (LHJ, LPK) left Guangzhou with the South China Biodiversity 

Study vehicle, driven by Mr Cheng Jisheng (South China Institute of Botany, SCIB); they arrived 

in Guilin on 17 July. On the same evening six representatives of KFBG (BH, ML, JRF, LKS, 

GTR and GS) flew to Guilin from Hong Kong. The team was joined by colleagues from Guangxi 

Forestry Department (XZH) and Guangxi Normal University (LLR). On 18 July the team, joined 

by members of the Guangxi Institute of Botany (WFN, WHQ, WYG and driver Mr Liao Jinshu), 

drove to Huanjiang County in North Guangxi, staying at the County Town. Here they met 

officials of the County Forestry Bureau, including Department Deputy Director Mr Meng Guigen; 

they also met the Mulun Nature Reserve Director (QWG) and Deputy Director (TWN), both of 

whom accompanied the team during subsequent fieldwork at Mulun. 

During fieldwork visual searching for plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, ants, 

butterflies and dragonflies was conducted. Calls of birds and amphibians were also used to 

identify them. Some fish specimens, captured locally by residents, were purchased. The status of 

large and medium sized mammals (excluding Erinaceidae, Talpidae, Soricidae, Muridae and 

Chiroptera) was inferred on the basis of interviews and field observations and of a recent paper 

(Zhou F., 1995), itself basd on a combination of market and field surveys. In the present study 

one hunter, one reserve warden and two local residents were interviewed, with reference to colour 

photographs. For these purposes a list of South China mammals was compiled from various 

sources including Guangdong Forestry Department & South China Institute of Endangered 

Animals (1987), Corbet & Hill (1992) and Zhang et al. (1997). 

Plant records in the surveys were made or verified by WFN and edited by NSC, except in the case 

of orchids, which were made by GS. Mammal records were made by ML or BH. Records of birds 

were made or verified by LKS, reptiles and amphibians by ML, fish by BC, ants by JRF, 

butterflies by GTR, and dragonflies by GTR or KW. 

Nomenclature in the report is standardised based, unless otherwise stated, on the following 

references: 

Flora (Pteridophyta, Gymnospermae and Angiospermae, excluding Orchidaceae): Anon. 

(1959-2000); Anon. (1991); Anon. (1996-2000); Anon. (2001); The Plant Names Project 

(2001); 

Orchids (Angiospermae: Orchidaceae): Chen (1999); Lang (1999); Tsi (1999); 

Mammals (Mammalia): D.E. Wilson & Cole (2000); 

Birds (Aves): Inskipp et al. (1996); 

Reptiles & Amphibians (Reptilia and Amphibia): Zhao E. et al. (2000); 

Fish (Actinopterygii): Nelson (1994); Wu et al. (1999); 

- 1 -

Ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae): named species according to Bolton (1995); 

unnamed species with reference numbers according to the collection currently held by 

KFBG. 

Dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata): Schorr et al. (2001a, 2001b); 

Butterflies (Insecta: Lepidoptera): Bascombe (1995). 

Information on the global status of species is from IUCN publications, notably IUCN Species 

Survival Commission (2001). Certain taxa, including orchids, reptiles, amphibians, fish and 

invertebrates, have yet to be properly assessed for global status. National conservation status of 

orchids is based on Wang et al. (in press). Protected status in China is based on Hua & Yan (1993) 

for animals, and State Forestry Administration & Ministry of Agriculture (1999) for plants. 

Location and management 

Mulun National Nature Reserve is in Huanjiang Maonanzu Autonomous County, North Guangxi, 

at 107º54' to 108º05' E, 25º07' to 25º12' N. The reserve was established in 1991 to protect the 

subtropical limestone mixed evergreen-deciduous broadleaf forest ecosystem. It was upgraded to 

Autonomous-Regional (i.e. provincial) level in 1994 and approved as a National Nature Reserve 

in August 1998 (http://www.naturereserve.gov.cn/search/pages/jbqkcx_jieguo.asp). It has an area 

of 301 km 2 (Forestry Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 1993). The reserve is 

under the management of the provincial Forestry Department, with one management centre, three 

officials and several forest wardens. 

The area has a subtropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 19.3ºC and 

average annual precipitation of approximately 1,500 mm, which occurs mainly from April to 

August. The altitudinal range is from 400 to 1,000 m, with altitudes generally decreasing from 

northwest to southeast. The geology is predominantly soluble and porous limestone resulting in a 

karst landscape, characterised by sharp hills and peaks separated by lowland depressions, and 

with numerous holes and caves, but with extensive aboveground streams. The soil type is mainly 

rendzina, and soil cover is generally low especially on limestone hills where it is usually less than 

20%. Within the forest the litter is rich, and up to 60 mm deep. In the north it abuts the Maolan 

National Nature Reserve of Libo County, southern Guizhou, which has a similar landscape and 

vegetation (Ning et al., 1998). 

Vegetation 

A report in the mid-1990s claimed almost 95% of the Mulun reserve area was forested, making it 

one of the best-preserved karst forests in China (Zheng, 1995). However this was based on a cited 

reserve size of 90 km 2 . The forested area of the nature reserve was about 85 km 2 (28% of the 

official reserve area), mainly around Hongtong, northwest Waitong and Dashapo. The Forestry 

Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (1993) cited 110 km 2 of karst forest at 

Mulun, or 37% of the reserve area. The figure is difficult to enumerate; during this survey in 1998 

much of the forest was in narrow and patchy stands, but still quite extensive. The zonal vegetation 

of the region is subtropical mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest. Under this zonal 

vegetation, the following vegetation types have been identified (Zhao T.L. & Ning, 1995): 

1) Limestone mixed evergreen and deciduous broadleaf forest was the dominant vegetation of the 

region. It was mainly distributed on limestone hillsides and ravines. The major associations 

found in this vegetation type included Cyclobalanopsis glauca-Boniodendron minius, 

Machilus pauhoi-Eurycorymbus cavaleriei, Platycarya strobilacea-Acer laevigata, Pteroceltis 

tatarinowii-Mysine kwangsiensis, Kmeria septentrionalis-Loropetalum chinense, 

Beilschmiedia kweichowensis-Illicium majus, Cleidion bracteosum-Handeliodendron 

- 2 -

odinieri, Itoa orientalis-Machilius pauhoi, and Dendrocnide urentissima-Mallotus 

microcarpa. 

2) Montane dwarf forest was found mainly above medium and high altitude. The major 

associations found in this vegetation type were Calocedrus macrolepis-Carpinus 

luochengensis and Quercus phillyraeoides-Platycarya strobilacea. 

3) Bamboo forest, composed mainly of Phyllostachys sulphurea, was uncommon and found only 

at Tonglai. 

4) Shrubland, composed mainly of Bauhinia sp., Alangium chinense, Vitex negundo and 

Alchornea trewiodes, was found mainly at low altitudes. It was formed after human 

disturbance such as deforestation. 

Vegetation types 1 and 2 are relatively primary, with a stable structure and composition as 

reflected by the heterogeneous age structure shown by the dominant species. Type 4 would 

gradually develop into secondary forest of type 1 if left undisturbed. 

Results 

Flora 

Nine hundred and fifteen species of vascular plants in 173 families have previously been 

identified in the Mulun area, including 64 fern species in 26 families, 11 gymnosperm species in 

six families, and 840 flowering plant species in 141 families (Wei F.N. et al., 1995). The plant 

communities are composed mainly of families with tropical to subtropical distribution, with 

subtropical species dominant. Compared with forests in nearby sites such as Jiuwanshan, the 

dominant flora at Mulun has a preponderance of limestone specialists, such as Cinnamomum 

saxatile, Boniodendron minius and Sapium rotundifolium. 

The present survey recorded 203 vascular plant species, including ten ferns in nine families, four 

gymnosperms in three families and 189 angiosperms in 70 families (Tables 1 and 2). The most 

speciose family was Orchidaceae (see Table 2), for which the findings are detailed below. Among 

the other species recorded, Garcinia paucinervis and Dendrocnide urentissima are globally 

Endangered. Amentotaxus argotaenia is globally Vulnerable. Zenia insignis and Eurycorymbus 

cavaleriei are at Lower Risk (Near-threatened) and under National Class II Protection. 

Handeliodendron bodinieri and Taxus wallichiana var. chinensis are under National Class I 

Protection; the former species is endemic to limestone areas of southern Guizhou and north to 

northwest Guangxi. Fokienia hodginsii is under National Class II Protection. While only about 

ten saplings of Garcinia paucinervis were found, at Dashapo, these constitute the northernmost 

record of the species. Dendrocnide urentissima, Handeliodendron bodinieri, Eurycorymbus 

cavaleriei and Zenia insignis are among the dominant tree species of Mulun. 

In addition to these threatened and protected species, eleven narrowly distributed or regionally 

rare species were recorded in the survey: Cryptocarya microcarpa (endemic to Mulun only), 

Pithecellobium multifoliatum (Mulun), Acer tonkinense ssp. kwangsiense (Guangxi), Phoebe 

calcarea (Guangxi), P. crassipedicella (Guangxi), Stephania mashanica (Guangxi), Oreocnide 

kwangsiensis (Guangxi), Hemiboea magnibracteata (South Guizhou and North to Northwest 

Guangxi), Ampelocalamus calcareus (South Guizhou and North to Northwest Guangxi), Mahonia 

flavida (Southeast Yunnan and Northwest Guangxi) and Machilius bonii (Guangxi and West 

Guangdong) and Rhapis multifida (Southeast Yunnan, North and West Guangxi). 

Certain species of conservation concern have previously been recorded at Mulun, though were 

not seen in the present survey. A large population of Calocedrus macrolepis, a globally 

Vulnerable species, was previously found to be locally abundant around Kutong and Zhonglun 

- 3 -

where its density was the highest recorded in Guangxi. Pinus kwangtungensis, a Class II 

Protected species, was known to be widespread and locally common at Mulun. Kmeria 

septentrionalis, a species endemic to northwest Guangxi and southeast Guizhou, was widely 

distributed in Mulun, and especially concentrated on a certain location. Small patches of 

Metabriggsia ovalifolia, a genus endemic to Guangxi, were also locally common as small patches 

over the NR (Jiang, 1995; Ning et al., 1998). 

Table 1. Vascular plants of Mulun National Nature Reserve. Including all plant species recorded on 19 to 

22 July 1998. Species which are Nationally Protected (Class I or II) (State Forestry Administration & Ministry 

of Agriculture, 1999), globally Threatened or Lower Risk (Near-threatened) (IUCN Species Survival 

Commission, 2001) or regionally restricted are indicated in notes. 

Family Species Notes 

PTERIDOPHYTA 

Aspleniaceae 

Dryopteridaceae 

Equisetaceae 

Lygodiaceae 

Osmundaceae 

Polypodiaceae 

Pteridaceae 

Sinopteridaceae 

Stenochlaenaceae 

Asplenium ensiforme Wall. ex Hook. & Grev. 

Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm. 

Equisetum debile Roxb. 

Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sw. 

Osmunda japonica Thunb. 

Pyrrosis lingua (Thunb.) Farw 

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. 

ex A. Heller 

Pteris vittata L. 

Aleuritopteris argentea (S.G. Gmel.) Fée 

Cyclosorus aridus (D.Don) Ching 

GYMNOSPERMAE 

Cupressaceae Fokienia hodginsii (Dunn) Henry & Thomas Protected II 

Gnetaceae Gnetum montanum Markgr. 

Taxaceae Amentotaxus argotaenia (Hance) Pilg. Vulnerable (IUCN) 

Taxus wallichiana Zucc. var. chinensis (Pilg.) Florin 

Protected I 

ANGIOSPERMAE 

Dicotyledonae 

Aceraceae 

Actinidiaceae 

Alangiaceae 

Amaranthaceae 

Anacardiaceae 

Annonaceae 

Apocynaceae 

Araliaceae 

Asclepiadaceae 

Balsaminaceae 

Begoniaceae 

Berberidaceae 

Bignoniaceae 

Acer oblongum Wall. ex DC. 

Acer tonkinense Lecomte ssp. kwangsiense (W.P. Fang & M.Y. endemic to Guangxi 

Fang) W.P. Fang 

Saurauia thyrsiflora C.F. Liang & Y.S. Wang 

Alangium chinense (Lour.) Harms. 

Cladostachys frutescens D. Don 

Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) B.L. Burtt et. A.W. Hill 

Pistacia chinensis Bunge 

Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley 

Artabotrys hongkongensis Hance 

Desmos chinensis Lour. 

Fissistigma polyanthum (Hook. f. & Thomson) Merr. 

Miliusa chunii W. T. Wang 

Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill. 

Aralia dasyphylla Miq. 

Brassaiopsis glomerulata (Blume) Regel 

Schefflera glomerulata H.L. Li 

Tetrapanax papyriferum (Hook.) K. Koch 

Secamone sinica Hand.-Mazz. 

Impatiens chlorosepala Hand.-Mazz. 

Begonia edulis H. Lév. 

Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng 

Mahonia flavida C.K. Schneid. 

endemic to SE 

Yunnan & N-NW 

Guangxi 

Radermachera sinica (Hance) Hemsl. 

- 4 -


Caesalpiniaceae Gleditsia sinensis Lam. 

Zenia insignis Chun 

Protected II, 

Lower Risk (IUCN) 

Capparaceae Crateva trifoliata (Roxb.) B.S. Sun 

Celastraceae Celastrus hindsii Benth. 

Clusiaceae Garcinia paucinervis Chun ex F.C. How Endangered (IUCN) 

Cornaceae Dendrobenthamia hongkongensis (Hemsl.) Hutch. 

Swida parviflora (S.S. Chien) Holub 

Torricellia angulata Oliv. var. intermedia (Harms) Hu 

Corylaceae Carpinus rupestris A. Camus 

Daphniphyllaceae Daphniphyllum calycinum Benth 

Ebenaceae Diospyros saxatilis S.K. Lee 

Elaeocarpaceae 

Euphorbiaceae 

Fagaceae 

Flacourtiaceae 

Elaeocarpus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. 

Bridelia fordii Hemsl. 

Cleidion bracteosum Gagnep. 

Macaranga adenantha Gagnep. 

Mallotus microcarpus Pax & K. Hoffm. 

Mallotus philippinensis (Lam.) Mull. Arg. 

Mallotus repandus (Willd.) Müll.-Arg. var. chrysocarpus (Pamp.) 

S.M. Hwang 

Sapium rotundifolium Hemsl. 

Cyclobalanopsis austroglauca Y.T. Chang ex Y.C. Hsu & H.W. 

Jen 

Cyclobalanopsis glauca (Thunb.) Oerst. 

Itoa orientalis Hemsl. 

Xylosma longifolium Clos 

SE Yunnan & W. 

Guangxi 

Gesnariaceae Hemiboea magnibracteata Y.G. Wei & H.Q. Wen endemic to limestone 

areas of S Guizhou & 

N-NW Guangxi 

Hydrangeaceae 

Icacinaceae 

Illiciaceae 

Iridaceae 

Juglandaceae 

Lardizabalaceae 

Lauraceae 

Hydrangea villosa Rehder 

Gomphandra tetrandra (Wall.) Sleum. 

Iodes cirrhosa Turcz. 

Illicium majus Hook. f. & Thomson 

Iris japonica Thunb. 

Engelhardtia roxburghiana Wall. 

Platycarya strobilacea Siebold & Zucc. 

Stauntonia hexaphylla Decne. fo. urophylla (Hand.-Mazz.) Wu 

Actinodaphne cupularis Gamble 

Beilschmiedia kweichowensis Cheng 

Cinnamomum appelianum Schewe 

Cinnamomum austrosinense H.T. Chang 

Cinnamomum saxatile H.W. Li 

Cryptocarya microcarpa F.N. Wei 

Lindera communis Hemsl. 

Lindera megaphylla Hemsl. 

Litsea elongata (Nees) Benth. et Hook. f. 

Machilus bonii Lecomte 

Machilus multinervia H. Liu 

Machilus versicolora S.K. Lee & F.N. Wei 

Phoebe calcarea S. Lee & F.N. Wei 

Phoebe crassipedicella S. Lee & F. N. Wei 

Phoebe kwangsiensis H. Liu 

Phoebe sheareri (Hemsl.) Gamble 

Linaceae Tirpitzia sinensis (Hemsl.) Hallier F. 

Lythraceae Lagerstroemia caudata Chun & F.C. How ex S.K. Lee & L.F. 

Lau 

Magnoliaceae Magnolia paenetalauma Dandy 

endemic to Guangxi, 

Mulun 

endemic to Guangxi & 

NW Guangdong 

endemic to limestone 

areas of Guangxi 



- 5 -


Melastomataceae Oxyspora paniculata (D. Don) DC. 

Meliaceae Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss. 

Cipadessa cinerascens (Pellegr.) Hand.-Mazz. 

Dysoxylum hongkongense (Tutcher) Merr. 

Toona sinensis (Juss.) Roem. 

Menispermaceae Cocculus laurifolius DC. 

Diploclisia glaucescens (Blume) Diels 

Stephania mashanica H.S. Lo & B.N. Chang 

Mimosaceae 

Moraceae 

Myrsinaceae 

Myrtaceae 

Papilionaceae 

Piperaceae 

Pittosporaceae 

Polygalaceae 

Ranunculaceae 

Rhamnaceae 

Rosaceae 

Rubiaceae 

Rutaceae 

Sabiaceae 

Sapindaceae 

Sapotaceae 

Saururaceae 

Schisandraceae 

Simarubaceae 

Staphyleaceae 

Sterculiaceae 

Thymelaeaceae 

Ulmaceae 

Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. 

Bauhinia brachycarpa Wall. ex Benth. var. cavaleriei (H. Lév.) 

T.C. Chen 

Pithecellobium multifoliatum H.Q. Wen 

Ficus cyrtophylla Wall. ex Miq. 

Ficus oligodon Miq. 

Ficus tsiangii Merr. ex Corner 

Maesa japonica (Thunb.) Moritzi et Zoll. 

Decaspermum esquirolii (H. Lév.) H.T. Chang & R.H. Miau 

Millettia pachycarpa Benth. 

Sophora prazeri Prain 

Piper hancei Maxim. 

Pittosporum tonkinense Gagnep. 

Polygala caudata Rehder & E.H. Wilson 

Anemone hupehensis (Lemoine) Lemoine 

Clematis chingii W.T. Wang 

Chaydaia rubrinervis (H. Lév.) C. Y. Wu ex Y. L. Chen 

Gouania javanica Miq. 

Laurocerasus australis T.T. Yu & L.T. Lu 

Laurocerasus spinulosa (Siebold & Zucc.) C.K. Schneid. 

Photinia serrulata Lindl. 

Rubus pinfaensis H. Lév. & Vaniot 

Canthium dicoccum (Gaertn.) Teysmann et Binnedijk 

Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. var. tomentosa (Blume) Hand.- 

Mazz. 

Sinoadina racemosa (Siebold & Zucc.) Ridsdale 

Evodia trichotoma (Lour.) Pierre 

Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack 

Zanthoxylum armatum DC. 

Sabia dielsii H. Lév. 

Boniodendron minius (Hemsl.) T.C. Chen 

Eurycorymbus cavaleriei (H. Lév.) Rehder & Hand.-Mazz. 

Handeliodendron bodinieri (H. Lév.) Rehder 

Sinosideroxylon wightianum (Hook. & Arn.) Aubrév. 

Houttuynia cordata Thunb. 

Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A.C. Sm. 

Kadsura heteroclita (Roxb.) Craib 

Schisandra viridis A.C. Sm. 

Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn. 

Turpinia affinis Merr. & L.M. Perry 

Pterospermum heterophyllum Hance 

Reevesia pubescens Mast. 

Sterculia euosma W.W. Sm. 

Sterculia lanceolata Cav. 

Daphne papyracea Wall. ex Steud. 

Aphananthe aspera (Thunb.) Planch. 

Boehmeria dolichostachya W.T. Wang 

Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim. 



endemic to Guangxi, 

Mulun 

Protected II, Lower 

Risk (Nt) (IUCN) 

Protected I, endemic 

to S Guizhou & N-NW 

Guangxi 

- 6 -


Urticaceae Dendrocnide urentissima (Gagnep.) Chew Endangered (IUCN) 

Verbenaceae 

Vitaceae 

Oreocnide frutescens (Thunb.) Miq. 

Oreocnide kwangsiensis Hand.-Mazz. 

Callicarpa longifolia Lam. var. floccosa Schauer 

Clerodendrum mandarinorum Diels 

Cissus assamica (G. Lawson) Craib 

Tetrastigma obtectum (Wall. ex Lawson) Planch. ex Franch. 

endemic to N-NW 

Guangxi 

Monocotyledonae 

Araceae 

Epipremnum pinnatum (L.) Engl. 

Areaceae Guihaia grossefibrosa (Gagnep.) J. Dransf., S. K. Lee & F. N. 

Wei 

Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea persimilis Prain & Burkill 

Orchidaceae (see Table 2) 

Poaceae Ampelocalamus calcareus C.D. Chu & C.S. Chao endemic to S Guizhou 

& N-NW Guangxi 

Indocalamus longiauritus Hand.-Mazz. 

Phyllostachys nidularia Munro 

Zingiberaceae Alpinia kwangsiensis T.L. Wu & S.J. Chen 

Orchids have been previously surveyed at Mulun Nature Reserve; an intensive survey from 19 

August to 3 September 1993, following the trails Mulun-Leyi-Kutong-Waitong-Changtong- 

Waitong-Zhonglun-Mulun-Shecun-Limingguan-Shecun, recorded 45 orchid species in 20 genera 

(Wei F.N. et al., 1995). The present rapid survey, covering Yaomengcun-Jiucun-Xiazaicun- 

Jiucun-Yaomengcun, Dashapo and Leyi-Hongtong-Waitong (Xiagenghuatong), recorded 47 

species in 24 genera (Table 2). Of these 20 were not recorded in 1993. Malaxis calophylla has not 

previously been recorded from Guangxi. Together the two surveys recorded 65 species in 27 

genera. Most are subtropical species. In adjacent Maolan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou, 85 

species in 32 genera have been recorded (Wei L.M. et al., 1997), making Orchidaceae the most 

speciose family in both reserves. 

Table 2. Orchids recorded in Mulun National Nature Reserve, Guangxi from 19 to 22 July 1998. *Species 

not previously recorded (Wei F.N. et al. 1995). 

Species Habitat Remarks 

Anoectochilus elwesii (Clarke ex Hook. f.) forest floor with rich humus terrestrial 

King & Pantl. 

*Anoectochilus zhejiangensis Z. Wei & Y.B. 

Chang 

forest floor with rich humus terrestrial; endemic to 

China; Endangered 

unknown sp. 2 (cf. Anoectochilus 

on forest floor with rich humus terrestrial 

moulmeinensis) 

Acampe rigida (Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.) P.F. on rock beside road 

epiphytic 

Hunt 

*Bletilla formonsana (Hayata) Schltr. grassy slope with rocks beside terrestrial; Endangered 

stream 

Bulbophyllum andersonii (Hook. f.) J.J. Sm. on rock in forest & roadside epiphytic 

Bulbophyllum sp.1 on rock, epiphytic 

Bulbophyllum sp.2 on rock with humus in forest epiphytic 



*Cheirostylis sp.1 

on rock covered with rich humus terrestrial 

in forest 

*Cheirostylis sp.2 

forest floor with rich humus beside terrestrial 

road 

Cymbidium cyperifolium Wall. ex Lindl. forest floor with rich humus terrestrial 

Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Sw. forest floor with rich humus terrestrial; Endangered 

Cymbidium lancifolium Hook. forest floor with rich humus terrestrial 

- 7 -

Species Habitat Remarks 

*Dendrobium officinale Kimura & Migo on large rock beside stream epiphytic; endemic to 

China; Endangered 

Dendrobium sp.1 (cf. fimbriatum) 

rock crevice with humus in forest, epiphytic; Vulnerable 

*Eria clausa King & Pantl. on rocks in forest epiphytic 

Eria corneri Rchb. f. on rock in forest beside path epiphytic 

*Eria coronaria (Lindl.) Rchb. f. on rock with rich humus in forest terrestrial 

*Eria rhomboidalis T. Tang & F.T. Wang on rocks in forest epiphytic; endemic to 

Guangxi, Yunnan and 

Hainan 

Habenaria ciliolaris Kraenzl. on forest floor with rich humus terrestrial; endemic to 

China 

*Habenaria dentata (Sw.) Schltr. 

grassy slope along stream & road terrestrial 

*Liparis bootanensis Griff. 

on mossy rock in forest beside the epiphytic 

road 

*Liparis distans C.B. Clarke 

on rock with rich humus on forest epiphytic 

floor and beside path 

Liparis nervosa (Thunb. ex Murray) Lindl. on forest floor with rich humus terrestrial 

beside road 

Liparis viridiflora (Blume) Lindl. on rock in forest beside path epiphytic 

Liparis sp.1 on rock in forest epiphytic 

Liparis sp.2 on rock surface with rich humus epiphytic 

*Malaxis calophylla (Rchb. f.) Kuntze forest floor with rich humus terrestrial; new to 

Guangxi 

*Malaxis sp.1 forest floor with rich humus terrestrial or semiterrestrial 

Nervilia fordii (Hance) Schltr. on rock with humus terrestrial; Endangered 

Oberonia sp.1 on rock in forest, epiphytic 

*Paphiopedilum micranthum T. Tang & F.T. 

Wang 

on rock with rich humus 

*Pecteilis susannae (R. Br.) Raf. grass lawn beside road terrestrial 

*Peristylus sp.1 grassy slope beside road terrestrial 

Phaius columnaris C.Z. Tang & S.J. Cheng forest floor with rich humus beside 

path 

Phaius flavus (Blume) Lindl. forest floor with rich humus terrestrial 

Phaius tankervilliae (Banks ex L’ Herit.) grass lawn & shrubs beside path terrestrial 

Blume 

Phaius sp. on forest floor terrestrial 

*Pholidota chinensis Lindl. on rock in forest epiphytic 

Pholidota sp.1 on rocks in forest epiphytic 

Podochilus khasianus Hook. f. on rock in the forest epiphytic 

terrestrial or semiterrestrial; 

endemic to 

Guangxi, Yunnan & 

Guizhou; Vulnerable 

terrestrial; endemic to N 

Guangdong, S Yunnan, S 

Guizhou & N Guangxi; 

Endangered 

*Tropidia angulosa (Lindl.) Blume 

on forest floor with rich humus and terrestrial 

beside road 

*Vanda sp. 

on tree trunk in forest beside path epiphytic 

*Vandopsis gigantea (Lindl.) Pfitzer on rock near road epiphytic 

Vanilla sp. 

on tree trunk and on rock in forest epiphytic; one individual 

bearing a green capsule 

unknown sp.1 on rock in forest epiphytic 

Paphiopedilum micranthum (Bubblegum Slipper Orchid) was listed as globally Endangered by 

Walter & Gillett (1998). Six species recorded in the present survey (Anoectochilus zhejiangensis, 

Bletilla formonsana, Cymbidium ensifolium, Dendrobium officinale, Nervilia fordii and Phaius 

columnaris) are considered Endangered in China and one (Paphiopedilum micranthum) as 

Vulnerable (Wang et al., in press). All are threatened by over-collection for medicinal and 

ornamental uses, and habitat destruction. Some species are restricted to certain limestone areas: 

Phaius columnaris (only in N. Guangdong, S. Yunnan, Maolan N.R. in Guizhou and Mulun), 

- 8 -

Eria rhomboidalis (N-NW Guangxi, SW Yunnan and Hainan) and Paphiopedilum micranthum 

(in Guangxi, Yunnan and Guizhou). National protection status is still under review, but 

Paphiopedilum micranthum is listed in CITES Appendix I, and all other orchid species are listed 

in CITES Appendix II. 

Forest condition, particularly between Leyi, Hongtong and Waitong, was good, and reflected in 

the high frequency of forest-dependent terrestrial orchids (e.g. Anoectochilus spp., Cymbidium 

lancifolium, Eria rhomboidalis and Habenria ciliolaris); 51% of species found were terrestrial. 

Mammals 

Only one mammal species was directly recorded during the survey: a Pallas’s Squirrel 

Callosciurus erythraeus seen at the edge of a young forest near Hongtong on 21 July. In addition 

two tails of this squirrel and a skin of Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista philippensis were 

observed in a farmer's hut on the way from Waitong to Tonglai. From other reports, Mulun is 

believed to support a high number of mammal species (Table 3). 

Table 3. The status of mammals (excluding Insectivora, Chiroptera and Muridae) at Mulun National 

Nature Reserve, Guangxi, based on interviews with residents and on Zhou F. (1995). Sequence and names 

follow D.E. Wilson & Cole (2000). 

Scientific name English name Hunter Reserve Zhou F. Probable 

warden & (1995) status 

villagers 

Tupaia belangeri Northern Tree Shrew +++ +++ present 

Macaca assamensis Assam Macaque +++ +++ present 

Macaca mulatta Rhesus Monkey - +++ + insecure 

Macaca arctoides Stump-tailed Macaque - + insecure or 

extirpated 

Macaca thibetana Père David’s Macaque - - + insecure or 


Vulpes vulpes Red Fox - - + insecure or 


Nyctereutes procyonoides Raccoon Dog - - + insecure or 


Catopuma temminckii Asiatic Golden Cat - - + insecure 

Prionailurus bengalensis Leopard Cat - +++ + present 

Panthera pardus Leopard - - + insecure or 


Herpestes javanicus Javan Mongoose - +++ present 

Herpestes urva Crab-eating Mongoose - + insecure 

Arctonyx collaris Hog Badger - - + insecure 

Melogale moschata Chinese Ferret-badger + +++ + present 

Mustela kathiah Yellow-bellied Weasel - +++ + present 

Mustela sibirica Siberian Weasel - - + insecure 

Mustela strigidorsa Black-striped Weasel ? ? uncertain 

Ursus thibetanus Asiatic Black Bear - + + insecure 

Paguma larvata Masked Palm Civet + +++ + present 

Prionodon pardicolor Spotted Linsang - + + insecure 

Viverra zibetha Large Indian Civet - - + insecure 

Viverricula indica Small Indian Civet - + + insecure 

Sus scrofa Wild Boar + + + present 

Moschus berezovskii Chinese Forest Musk Deer - + + insecure 

Elaphodus cephalophus Tufted Deer - - + insecure 

Muntiacus muntjak Indian Muntjac - - + insecure 

Muntiacus reevesi Reeves’s Muntjac - + + insecure 

Naemorhedus sumatraensis Serow - - + insecure 

Naemorhedus caudatus Chinese Goral - - + insecure 

Manis pentadactyla Chinese Pangolin - + + insecure 

Callosciurus erythraeus Pallas's Squirrel - +++ + present 

- 9 -

Scientific name English name Hunter Reserve 

warden & 

villagers 

Zhou F. 

(1995) 

Probable 

status 

Tamiops maritimus Maritime Striped Squirrel +++ +++ + present 

Dremomys pernyi Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrel - - + insecure 

Dremomys pyrrhomerus Red-hipped Squirrel - +++ + present 

Belomys pearsonii Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel +++ _ insecure 

Petaurista alborufus 

Red and White Giant Flying - - + insecure 

Squirrel 

Petaurista elegans (P.clarkei) Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel ? ? + insecure 

Petaurista philippensis Red Giant Flying Squirrel - +++ + present 

(P. petaurista, P. yunnanensis) 

Hystrix brachyura Malayan Porcupine - - + insecure 

Rhizomys sinensis Chinese Bamboo Rat - - + insecure 

Lepus sinensis Chinese Hare - +++ insecure 

Lepus capensis Brown Hare ? ? + present 

In addition to these Zhou F. (1995) reported Asian House Shrew Suncus murinus, Indochinese 

Shrew Crocidura attenuata, Little Japanese Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus cornutus, Great 

Roundleaf Bat Hipposideros armiger, Japanese Pipistrelle Pipistrellus abramus, Common 

Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Edwards’s Long-tailed Giant Rat Leopoldamys edwardsi (as 

Rattus edwardsi), House Mouse Mus musculus, Chestnut White-bellied Rat Niviventer fulvescens 

(as Rattus fulvescens huang), Chinese White-bellied Rat Niviventer confucianus (as Rattus 

niviventer), House Rat Rattus rattus flavipectus (as R. flavipectus), Lesser Rice-field Rat Rattus 

losea and Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus. Zhou F.’s (1995) record of Brown Hare Lepus capensis 

at Mulun may be the southernmost record of this species in China. 

Among the mammal species whose recorded range includes North Guangxi, some were 

unfamiliar to all the respondents at Mulun, and not reported by Zhou F. (1995). These species 

included Grey Wolf Canis lupus, Dhole Cuon alpinus, Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula, 

Eurasian Badger Meles meles, Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra, Oriental Small-clawed Otter Amblonyx 

cinereus, Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa, Tiger Panthera tigris, Chinese Water Deer 

Hydropotes inermis, Sambar Cervus unicolor and Asiatic Brush-tailed Porcupine Atherurus 

macrourus. These species may be absent, locally extinct or overlooked. 

Of the species reported to occur at Mulun, Assam Macaque Macaca assamensis is globally 

Vulnerable and Class I protected in China; Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides, Asiatic 

Black Bear Ursus thibetanus, Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis and Chinese Goral 

Naemorhedus caudatus are globally Vulnerable and Class II protected. Malayan Porcupine 

Hystrix brachyura is globally Vulnerable. Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla, Rhesus Monkey 

Macaca mulatta, Asiatic Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii and Chinese Forest Musk Deer 

Moschus berezovskii are globally Near-threatened and Class II protected in China; Hairy-footed 

Flying Squirrel Belomys pearsonii is also globally Near-threatened. Père David’s Macaque 

Macaca thibetana, Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica and Spotted Linsang Prionodon 

pardicolor are Class II protected nationally. 

Birds 

Seventy bird species were recorded at Mulun during this survey (Table 4). The most frequently 

encountered species were Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis, Chestnut 

Bulbul Hemixos castanonotus, Grey-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe morrisonia, Black-browed Barbet 

Megalaima oorti, Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps, Hainan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis hainanus 

and Collared Finchbill Spizixos semitorques. 

- 10 -

Table 4. Birds recorded at Mulun, Guangxi, 19-23 July 1998. Sequence follows Clements (2000). 

Scientific name 

Egretta garzetta 

Ixobrychus cinnamomeus 

Dupetor flavicollis 

Aviceda leuphotes 

Spilornis cheela 

Accipiter trivirgatus 

Hieraaetus fasciatus 

Spizaetus nipalensis 

Falco subbuteo 

Bambusicola thoracica 

Amaurornis akool 

Chalcophaps indica 

Clamator coromandus 

Cuculus poliocephalus 

Surniculus lugubris 

Centropus bengalensis 

Apus pacificus 

Collocalia brevirostris 

Alcedo atthis 

Megalaima virens 

Megalaima oorti 

Blythipicus pyrrhotis 

Hirundo rustica 

Hirundo daurica 

Motacilla alba 

Pericrocotus solaris 

Spizixos semitorques 

Pycnonotus sinensis 

Pycnonotus aurigaster 

Pycnonotus jocosus 

Hemixos castanonotus 

Hypsipetes mcclellandii 

Hypsipetes leucocephalus 

Chloropsis hardwickii 

Prinia atrogularis 

Prinia rufescens 

Prinia hodgsonii 

Prinia inornata 

Prinia flaviventris 

Cettia fortipes 

Bradypterus seebohmi 

Orthotomus cuculatus 

Niltava macgrigoriae 

Cyornis hainanus 

Rhyacornis fuliginosus 

Garrulax pectoralis 

Garrulax chinensis 

Garrulax canorus 

Garrulax sannio 

Pomatorhinus ruficollis 

Napothera brevicaudata 

Pnoepyga pusilla 

Stachyris ruficeps 

Leiothrix lutea 

Alcippe morrisonia 

Yuhina castaniceps 

Aegithalos concinnus 

Parus major 

Parus spilonotus 

English name 

Little Egret 

Cinnamon Bittern 

Black Bittern 

Black Baza 

Crested Serpent Eagle 

Crested Goshawk 

Bonelli's Eagle 

Mountain Hawk Eagle 

Eurasian Hobby 

Chinese Bamboo Partridge 

Brown Crake 

Emerald Dove 

Chestnut-winged Cuckoo 

Lesser Cuckoo 

Drongo Cuckoo 

Lesser Coucal 

Fork-tailed Swift 

Himalayan Swiftlet 

Common Kingfisher 

Great Barbet 

Black-browed Barbet 

Bay Woodpecker 

Barn Swallow 

Red-rumped Swallow 

White Wagtail 

Grey-chinned Minivet 

Collared Finchbill 

Light-vented Bulbul 

Sooty-headed Bulbul 

Red-whiskered Bulbul 

Chestnut Bulbul 

Mountain Bulbul 

Black Bulbul 

Orange-bellied Leafbird 

Hill Prinia 

Rufescent Prinia 

Grey-breasted Prinia 

Plain Prinia 

Yellow-bellied Prinia 

Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler 

Russet Bush Warbler 

Mountain Tailorbird 

Small Niltava 

Hainan Blue Flycatcher 

Plumbeous Water Redstart 

Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush 

Black-throated Laughingthrush 

Hwamei 

White-browed Laughingthrush 

Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler 

Streaked Wren Babbler 

Pygmy Wren Babbler 

Rufous-capped Babbler 

Red-billed Leiothrix 

Grey-cheeked Fulvetta 

Striated Yuhina 

Black-throated Tit 

Great Tit 

Yellow-cheeked Tit 

- 11 -

Scientific name 

Aethopyga christinae 

Dicaeum concolor 

Dicaeum ignipectus 

Dicaeum cruentatum 

Zosterops japonica 

Lanius collurioides 

Lanius schach 

Urocissa erythrorhyncha 

Dendrocitta formosae 

Lonchura striata 

Melophus lathami 

English name 

Fork-tailed Sunbird 

Plain Flowerpecker 

Fire-breasted Flowerpecker 

Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 

Japanese White-eye 

Burmese Shrike 

Long-tailed Shrike 

Red-billed Blue Magpie 

Grey Treepie 

White-rumped Munia 

Crested Bunting 

The following species are apparently new records for the reserve: Black Bittern Dupetor 

flavicollis, Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes, Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis, Bonelli’s 

Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus, Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo 

Clamator coromandus, Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis, Great Barbet Megalaima virens, 

Grey-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris, Black-throated Laughingthrush Garrulax chinensis, 

Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii, Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens, Brownish-flanked 

Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes, Russet Bush Warbler Bradypterus seebohmi, Mountain Tailorbird 

Orthotomus cuculatus, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae, Firebreasted 

Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum, 

Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides and Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae. 

In addition to the above species, Zhou F. (1995) reported Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus, 

Common Teal Anas crecca, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter 

soloensis, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis, 

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Chinese Francolin Francolinus 

pintadeanus, Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica, Blue-breasted Quail Coturnix chinensis, Silver 

Pheasant Lophura nycthemera, Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus, Yellow-legged 

Buttonquail Turnix tanki, Slaty-legged Crake Rallina eurizonoides, Slaty-breasted Rail 

Gallirallus striatus, Eurasian Coot Fulica atra, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Eurasian 

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola, Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus, Common Sandpiper Actitis 

hypoleucos, Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica, Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia 

orientalis, Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis, Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides, 

Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus, Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, Asian Emerald Cuckoo 

Chrysococcyx maculatus, Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis, Grass Owl Tyto capensis, Collared 

Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena, Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides, Grey Nightjar 

Caprimulgus indicus, Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus, White-throated Kingfisher 

Halcyon smyrnensis, Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata, Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis, 

White-browed Piculet Sasia ochracea, Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major, Greycapped 

Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus, Fairy Pitta Pitta nympha, Forest Wagtail 

Dendronanthus indicus, Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi, Olivebacked 

Pipit Anthus hodgsoni, Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos, Scarlet 

Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus, Brown-breasted Bulbul Pycnonotus xanthorrhous, Blue 

Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus, Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina, Japanese 

Thrush Turdus cardis, Pale Thrush Turdus pallidus, Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula, Zitting 

Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus, Yellow-streaked Warbler 

Phylloscopus armandii, Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis, Yellow-browed Warbler 

Phylloscopus inornatus, Pallas's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus, Chestnut-crowned 

Warbler Seicercus castaniceps, Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica, Asian Brown 

Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica, Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui, Verditer 

Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina, Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis, Hill Blue 

- 12 -

Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas, Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane, Orange-flanked Bush Robin 

Tarsiger cyanurus, Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis, Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus 

auroreus, Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri, White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti, 

Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea, Lesser Necklaced 

Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger, Moustached Laughingthrush Garrulax cineraceus, Spotbreasted 

Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis, Chinese Babax Babax lanceolatus, 

Chestnut-headed Babbler, Dusky Fulvetta Alcippe brunnea, White-bellied Yuhina Yuhina 

zantholeuca, Spot-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis guttaticollis, Black-naped Oriole Oriolus 

chinensis, Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus, Tiger Shrike Lanius tigrinus, Black Drongo Dicrurus 

macrocercus, Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus, Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus, 

Black-billed Magpie Pica pica, Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos, Crested Myna 

Acridotheres cristatellus, Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus, Russet Sparrow Passer 

rutilans, Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata, Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila, Little 

Bunting Emberiza pusilla, Yellow-throated Bunting Emberiza elegans, Black-faced Bunting 

Emberiza spodocephala and Slaty Bunting Latoucheornis siemsseni. The combined total is some 

169 bird species. 

Fairy Pitta is a globally Vulnerable species, and Class II protected in China. Brown-breasted 

Flycatcher and Slaty Bunting are globally Near-threatened. Black Baza, Bonelli’s Eagle, 

Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela, Crested Goshawk Accipiter 

trivirgatus, Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Chinese Sparrowhawk, 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Japanese Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Silver Pheasant, 

Grass Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Asian Barred Owlet, Greater Coucal and Lesser Coucal are 

Class II protected species in China. 

The presence of many forest-dependent species (e.g. Mountain Hawk Eagle, Emerald Dove, Redheaded 

Trogon, Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii, and various barbets, 

woodpeckers, babblers and flycatchers) indicates that the remaining forests at Mulun are of high 

integrity. 

Reptiles and Amphibians 

Fourteen species of amphibians, five species of lizards and four species of snakes were recorded 

at Mulun National Nature Reserve and the surrounding area during the rapid survey (Table 5). 

The most frequently encountered species were Rana limnocharis and Polypedates megacephalus, 

in the paddy fields. Megophrys tadpoles were common but the species could not be identified due 

to the lack of adults. A blue-tailed skink (either Eumeces quadrilineatus or E. elegans) was seen 

but could not be positively identified. 

- 13 -

Table 5. Amphibians and reptiles of Mulun National Nature Reserve. Sequence follows Zhao E.-M. & 

Adler (1993). 

Species 

Habitat 

AMPHIBIA 

Echinotriton asperrimus seepage pool , tadpoles 

Megophrys sp. stream tadpoles 

Bufo cryptotympanicus forest 

Rana guentheri pool , tadpoles 

Rana latouchii stream 

Rana limnocharis 

pool 

paddy field 

 

 

Philautus odontotarsus pool 

Polypedates megacephalus bamboo 

shrubland 

paddy field 

 

 

 

Polypedates dennysi pool 

Polypedates sp. water container tadpoles 

Microhyla butleri pool 

Microhyla heymonsi seepage pool tadpoles 

Microhyla pulchra 

agricultural field 

 

paddy field 

 

Microhyla ornata paddy field 

REPTILIA 

Acanthosaura lepidogaster forest 

Eumeces sp. shrubland 

Sphenomorphus indicus ? forest edge 

Tropidophorus guangxiensis seepage 

Platyplacopus intermedius forest 

Takydromus sexlineatus abandoned field 

Amphiesma optata agricultural field / 

shrubland 

 

 

Amphiesma stolata abandoned field 

Ptyas korros shrubland / 

abandoned field 

 

 

Xenochrophis piscator abandoned field 

New records for the reserve included Echinotriton asperrimus, Megophrys sp., Bufo 

cryptotympanicus, Rana latouchii, Microhyla heymonsi, Tropidophorus guangxiensis and 

Platyplacopus intermedius. Of these, B. cryptotympanicus and T. guangxiensis are highly 

restricted and had previously been reported from two and one localities respectively (Zhao E.-M. 

& Adler, 1993; Fellowes & Hau, 1997). 

The presence of Echinotriton asperrimus, Megophrys sp., Bufo cryptotympanicus, Acanthosaura 

lepidogaster, Tropidophorus guangxiensis and Platyplacopus intermedius indicated that the 

forests and the streams at Mulun are of high integrity. 

In addition to the species listed above, Zhou F. (1995) reported Bufo andrewsi (as Bufo bufo 

andrewsi), Bufo melanostictus, Rana boulengeri, Rana livida, Rana schmackeri, Rana shini, 

Rana spinosa, Rana rugulosa, Polypedates mutus (as Rhacophorus mutus), Calotes versicolor, 

Japalura szechwanensis, Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi (as Eublepharis lichtenfelderi), 

Sphenomorphus indicus, Ramphotyphlops braminus (as Typhlops braminus), Python molurus, 

Achalinus ater, Achalinus rufescens, Calamaria pavimentata, Calamaria septentrionalis, 

Dinodon flavozonatum (as Dinodon septentrionalis), Elaphe carinata, Elaphe moellendorffi, 

Elaphe porphyracea, Elaphe radiata, Elaphe taeniura (as Elaphe rufodorsata), Sinonatrix 

aequifasciata (as Natrix aepuifasciata), Sinonatrix percarinata (as Natrix percarinata), 

- 14 -

Amphiesma popei (as Natrix popei), Rhabdophis subminiatus (as Natrix subminiata), Oligodon 

chinensis, Oligodon formosanus, Oligodon lungshenensis (as O. guizhouensis), Cyclophiops 

major (as Opheodrys major), Opisthotropis balteata, Opisthotropis latouchii, Pseudoxenodon 

bambusicola, Ptyas mucosus, Sibynophis chinensis, Boiga kraepelini, Ahaetulla prasina (as 

Dryophis prasinus), Enhydris plumbea, Bungarus multicinctus, Calliophis macclellandi, Naja 

atra (as Naja naja), Ophiophagus hannah, Trimeresurus albolabris, Trimeresurus stejnegeri, 

Trimeresurus monticola and Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus. 

Fish 

A total of 39 species of freshwater fish were recorded at Mulun; 26 were recorded during the 

survey and a further 13, believed to have been caught locally, were bought from villagers (Table 

6). Some species await specialist verification. The diversity of habitat types (e.g. sandy and rocky 

streams) and geology (e.g. limestone and alluvium) may contribute to the high diversity of 

freshwater fishes. The most frequently encountered species were Zacco platypus, Opsariichthyes 

bidens, Yaoshanicus arcus, Acrossocheilus beijiangensis, Pseudorasbora parva, Schistura 

fasciolata and Rhinogobius duospilus. Sinocyclocheilus lateristriatus? appears to be a new record 

for Guangxi. 

Table 6. Freshwater fish species recorded at Mulun and surrounding areas. “P” = purchased from 

villagers. Sequence of genera follows Nelson (1994). “#” = nomenclature follows Yue et al.(2000). 

Species Habitat Yaomengcun 

/ 

Dashapo Hongtong 

/ Waitong 

Jiucun 

Zacco platypus stream + 

Opsariichthys bidens stream + 

Yaoshanicus arcus stream + + 

Nicholsicypris normalis stream + + 

Pseudohemiculter hainanensis purchased P 

Paracheilognathus meridianus stream + + 

- 15 -

Species Habitat Yaomengcun 

/ 

Jiucun 

Dashapo Hongtong 

/ Waitong 

Acheilognathus barbatulus stream + + 

Capoeta semifasciolata stream + 

Spinibarbus hollandi purchased P P P 

Sinocyclocheilus lateristriatus? cave seep pool + 

Acrossocheilus beijiangensis # stream + + 

Acrossocheilus parallens stream + 

Onychostoma gerlachi stream + 

Rectoris posehensis purchased P P 

Parasinilabeo assimilis purchased P P 

Discogobio tetrabarbatus purchased P P 

Pseudorasbora parva stream + 

Microphysogobio sp. (cf. kiatingensis) sp. purchased P P P 

Pseudogobio guilinensis # purchased P P 

Cyprinus carpio # purchased P P 

Oreonectes platycephalus stream + + 

Leptobotia zebra stream + 

Misgurnus anguillicaudatus purchased P P 

Schistura fasciolata stream ++ + 

Triplophysa sp. stream + 

Mystus macropterus purchased P P 

Silurus asotus stream + 

Glyptothorax fukiensis fukiensis purchased P P 

Clarias fuscus stream + 

Oryzias sp. stream + 

Mastacembelus armatus purchased P P P 

Siniperca scherzeri stream + + 

Rhinogobius duospilus stream + 

Rhinogobius yaoshanensis stream + 

Rhinogobius (cf. brunneus) sp. 1 stream + 

Rhinogobius sp. 2 stream + 

Macropodus opercularis stream + 

Channa maculata purchased P P 

Pseudogobio guilinensis, Rectoris posehensis and Leptobotia zebra are endemic to the West 

River (Xijiang) drainage system. Rhinogobius yaoshanensis is endemic to Guangxi, and was 

thought to be restricted to Yaoshan district (Zhu, 1995). A number of unidentified species were 

collected (e.g. Rhinogobius spp.), some of which may prove to be of high scientific and 

conservation interest. Species richness was very high, with many restricted species such as 

Triblophysa sp., Paracheilognathus meridianus and Sinocyclocheilus lateristriatus?, and the 

presence of predatory species such as Siniperca scherzeri and Channa maculata indicated that the 

streams of Mulun are of very high ecological integrity. 

Ants 

Seventy-two ant species were recorded from the Mulun area (Table 7). The most frequently 

encountered species were Crematogaster sp. 3, Polyrhachis tyrannica, Pristomyrmex pungens, 

Dolichoderus sp. 9, Lepisiota rothneyi, Pachycondyla sp. 7, Pachycondyla sp. 2, Pachycondyla 

sp. 14, Pheidole (cf. noda) sp. 1 and Rhoptromyrmex sp. 1. Some species, including Anochetus sp. 

4, Lepisiota sp. 4, Polyrhachis sp. 23 and Polyrhachis sp. 25 are believed to be new to science. 

Table 7. Ant species recorded at Mulun. 

Species 

Habitat, altitude 

Acanthomyrmex (cf. crassispinus) sp. 1 low closed forest 

Aenictus (aratus group) sp. 5 

low forest, fields 

Aenictus (ceylonicus group) sp. 1 paddy fields, open shrubland 

Aenictus (laeviceps group) sp. 2 fields 

- 16 -

Species 


Anochetus (cf. yunnanensis) sp. 4 low closed forest 

Aphaenogaster (cf. feae) sp. 7 

open low forest/ shrubland 

Camponotus (cf. aethiops vitiosus) sp. 21 open shrubland 

Camponotus albosparsus 

grassland/ low pine plantation 

Camponotus (cf. fuscivillosus) sp. 28 paddy/low shrub 

Camponotus (cf. jianghuaensis) sp. 15 shrubland 

Camponotus (cf. mitis) sp. 11 

fields, shrubland, forest 

Camponotus nicobarensis 

fields, shrubland, low forest 

Camponotus rufoglaucus 

open plantation/ agricultural 

Cataulacus granulatus 

open low vegetation 

Cerapachys sulcinodis 

open forest/ shrubland, fields 

Crematogaster (cf. biroi) sp. 4 

shrubland/ grassland 

Crematogaster (cf. dohrni) sp. 8 low shrubland/paddy 

Crematogaster (cf. laboriosa) sp. 3 forest, shrubland, fields 

Crematogaster (cf. travancorensis) sp. 2 shrubland, low forest 

Cryptopone sp. 1 

forest 

Dilobocondyla (cf. fouqueti) sp. 1 low shrubland/ grassland 

Dolichoderus sp. 9 

grassland, shrubland, open forest 

Dolichoderus sp. 6 

open low forest, fields 

Gnamptogenys bicolor 

open shrubland 

Gnamptogenys binghami 

low forest/ shrubland 

Hypoponera (cf. excoecata) sp. 2 open low forest 

Lepisiota (cf. opaca) sp. 4 

not recorded 

Lepisiota rothneyi 

shrubland, grassland 

Leptogenys kitteli 

open shrubland, fields 

Monomorium chinense 

fields, shrubland 

Monomorium destructor 

open shrubland, fields 

Odontomachus monticola 

forest, shrubland 

Odontoponera (cf. denticulata) sp. 1 low forest, shrubland, fields 

Oligomyrmex (cf. hunanensis) sp. 3 open forest/ shrubland 

Pachycondyla (cf. astuta) sp. 14 grassland, shrubland, low forest 

Pachycondyla (javana group) sp. 1 low forest & fields 

Pachycondyla (cf. luteipes) sp. 2 forest, fields 

Pachycondyla rufipes 

fields, shrubland, forest 

Pachycondyla (cf. sauteri) sp. 7 

shrubland, forest 

Pachycondyla (cf. sharpi) sp. 12 open low forest 

Pachycondyla (cf. nigrita) sp. 17 open shrubland 

Paratrechina (cf. bourbonica) sp. 4 fields, shrubland 

Paratrechina longicornis 

grassland, low shrubland 

Paratrechina sauteri 

shrubland/ grassland 

Paratrechina (nr. indica) sp. 9 

open forest/ shrubland 

Pheidole (cf. noda) sp. 1 

shrubland, grassland 

Pheidole sp. 3-A 

low forest 

Pheidole (cf. simoni) sp. 7 

shrubland 

Pheidole sp. 11 


Pheidologeton (cf. melasolenus) sp. 8 shrubland, low forest 

Plagiolepis (cf. alluaudi) sp. 3 

shrubland 

Polyrhachis dives 


Polyrhachis lamellidens 

open low forest 

Polyrhachis (cf. sculpturata) sp. 5 shrubland, forest 

Polyrhachis tyrannica 

shrubland, fields 

Polyrhachis vigilans 


Polyrhachis (Myrma) sp. 23 

agricultural/ shrubland 

Polyrhachis (Myrma) sp. 25 


Prenolepis (cf. emmae) sp. 1 

open forest/ shrubland, fields 

Prenolepis magnocula 


Prenolepis sp. 3 

low closed forest 

Pristomyrmex pungens 

fields, open shrubland 

Pseudolasius sp. 1 


Recurvidris sp. 1 

low shrubland/ grassland 

Rhoptromyrmex (cf. wroughtonii) sp. 1 shrubland, fields 

- 17 -

Species 

Tapinoma sp. 1 

Technomyrmex sp. 2 

Tetramorium (cf. kraepelini) sp. 4 

Tetraponera nipponense 

Tetramorium (cf. tonganum) sp. 12 

Tetramorium sp. 22 

Tetraponera allaborans 

Vollenhovia (cf. pyrrhoria) sp. 10 


Shrubland 

tall open shrubland 

open shrubland/grassland 



low shrubland/paddy 

? (missing data) 

open forest/ shrubland 

Vollenhovia (cf. pyrrhoria) sp. 10 is currently known only from Mulun. Prenolepis sp. 3 may be 

dependent on primary forest, while some 24 species recorded (33%) are dependent on forest 

habitat. Although the core forest of Mulun was not reached during this survey, the high species 

richness and large number of rare species indicates that the forest is of high importance for ant 

(and probably overall insect) biodiversity. 

Dragonflies 

Thirty-seven dragonfly species were recorded in the Mulun area (Table 8). The most frequently 

encountered were Matrona basilaris, Rhinocypha perforata, Euphaea decorata, Prodasineura 

verticalis, Orthetrum pruinosum, O. sabina, Pantala flavescens and Sympetrum eroticum. 

Ischnura sp. could not be identified due to taxonomic confusion regarding the I. rufostigma 

group to which the Mulun specimen belongs (K.D.P. Wilson & Reels, in prep.). 

Table 8. Dragonflies recorded at Mulun, 19 to 22 July 1998. 

Species name 

Calopteryx atrata 

Matrona basilaris 

Neurobasis chinensis 

Rhinocypha perforata 

Indocypha katharina 

Aciagrion tillyardi 

Agriocnemis femina 

Agriocnemis lacteola 

Agriocnemis pygmaea 

Ischnura sp. (rufostigma Selys 1876 group) 

Euphaea superba 

Euphaea decorata 

Dysphaea basitincta 

Philosina buchi 

Coeliccia cyanomelas 

Prodasineura verticalis 

Copera marginipes 

Polycanthagyna erythromelas 

Chlorogomphus papilio 

Anisogomphus koxingai 

Burmagomphus vermicularis 

Nihonogomphus lieftincki 

Gomphidia krugeri fukienensis 

Crocothemis servilia 

Orthetrum albistylum 

Orthetrum pruinosum 

Orthetrum sabina 

Orthetrum triangulare 

Palpopleura sexmaculata 

Pantala flavescens 

Pseudothemis zonata 

Rhyothemis variegata 

Sympetrum parvulum 

Sympetrum eroticum 

- 18 -

Species name 

Trithemis aurora 

Trithemis festiva 

Zygonyx iris insignis 

The male of Indocypha katharina is previously undescribed. A description has now been made, 

based partly on the material collected at Mulun in the present survey (K.D.P. Wilson & Reels, in 

prep.). Prior to this, the status of I. katharina as a good species was unconfirmed. Euphaea 

superba and Prodasineura verticalis are new records for China, the former previously known 

only from Vietnam, and the latter known from India, Burma, Laos and East Malaysia. Dysphaea 

basitincta was recorded from mainland China for the first time in May 1998 (Kadoorie Farm and 

Botanic Garden, 2002b); it is also known from Hainan and Vietnam. 

Butterflies 

Ninety-one species of butterfly were recorded at Mulun over the period 19-22 July 1998 (Table 9). 

The most frequent included Papilio nephelus, Neptis hylas and Precis almana. Twelve species 

are apparently new provincial records, not recorded from Guangxi by Chou (1994) or Bascombe 

(1995). 

Table 9. Butterflies recorded at Mulun, 19-22 July 1998. Sequence of families follows Bascombe (1995). 

Species Habitat Notes 

Aeromachus dubius river, farmland new Guangxi record 

Aeromachus sp. 

river, farmland 

Bibasis gomata farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Pelopidas agna 


Polytremis lubricans farmland, forest ?new Guangxi record 

Pseudocoladenia dan 

farmland, forest 

Tagiades litigiosus 


Telicota/ Potanthus sp. 


Thoressa submacula farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Graphium agamemnon 


Graphium sarpedon 

river, shrubland 

Graphium (Paranticopsis ) macareus river, shrubland 

Graphium (Paranticopsis) xenocles farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Graphium (Pathysa) antiphates river, shrubland 


Lamproptera meges 



Papilio bianor 



Papilio castor 


Papilio helenus 



Papilio memnon 



Papilio nephelus 




Papilio paris 




Papilio polytes 



Papilio protenor 



Papilio xuthus 


Troides sp. 


Appias lyncida 


Delias pasithoe 


- 19 -


Eurema blanda 


Eurema laeta 


Abisara echerius 


Acytolepis puspa 



Ancema ctesia 


Curetis dentata 


Heliophorus ila 


Jamides bochus 


Rapala sp. (nissa?) 


Tongeia filicaudis farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Zemeros flegyas 



Apatura (Rohana) parisatis 


Argyreus hyperbius 


Ariadne ariadne 


Athyma cama 


Athyma jina farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Athyma nefte 



Athyma perius 



Athyma selenophora 



Cethosia biblis 


Cethosia cyane 


Charaxes bernardus river, shrubland ?new Guangxi record 

Charaxes marmax 


Danaus genutia 



Discophora sondaica 


Euploea midamus 


Euploea mulciber 


Euthalia pratti farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Faunis aerope 



Hestina assimilis 


Hypolimnas bolina 


Ideopsis similis 


Kallima inachus 


Lethe confusa 


Lethe (Neope) muirheadii river, shrubland ? new Guangxi record 

Limenitis (Bhagadatta) austenia farmland, forest 

Limenitis (Parathyma) sulpitia 



Melanitis leda 



Melanitis phedima 


Mycalesis gotama 



Mycalesis zonata 


Neptis clinia farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Neptis hylas 




Neptis miah 


Neptis nata (?) 


Neptis (Phaedyma) columella 


Polygonia c-aureum 


Polyura arja 


Polyura athamas 


- 20 -


Polyura eudamippus 


Polyura narcea 


Polyura nepenthes 


Precis (Junonia) almana 



Precis (Junonia) iphita 


Precis (Junonia) orithya 



Pseudergolis wedah farmland, forest new Guangxi record 

Stibochiona nicea 


Stichophthalma sp. 


Symbrenthia hypselis 


Symbrenthia lilaea 



Thaumantis diores 



Ypthima baldus 


Ypthima lisandra 


Ypthima sp. 


The relatively higher species counts (40 and 45 species) inside the reserve on 21 and 22 July may 

be attributed to the better forest encountered there, as indicated by the presence of the nymphalids 

Bhagadatta austenia, Euthalia pratti, Kallima inachus, Stibochiona nicea and Stichophthalma sp., 

and of the lycaenid Tongeia filicaudis. 

Summary of flora and fauna 

The vegetation of the Mulun area is predominantly limestone mixed evergreen and deciduous 

broadleaf forest and montane dwarf forest. The karst forest in the reserve is the best preserved in 

Guangxi. Only limited parts of the reserve could be visited in the present survey, due to time 

limitations and adverse weather. Two hundred and three plant species were recorded. Orchid 

species richness was relatively high (47 species) and half the orchid species recorded were 

terrestrial. A high proportion of them were forest-dependent species (such as Anoectochilus spp. 

and Cymbidium lancifolium), indicating the healthy condition of the forest. The plant community 

contained a high proportion of limestone specialists as well as regionally restricted species, for 

instance Hemiboea magnibracteata, Cryptocarya microcarpa, Pithecellobium multifoliatum, 

Phaius columnaris and Paphiopedilum micranthum. Sixteen globally or nationally threatened or 

protected plant species were found including the globally Endangered Garcinia paucinervis and 

Dendrocnide urentissima, and six nationally Endangered orchids (Anoectochilus zhejiangensis, 

Bletilla formonsana, Cymbidium ensifolium, Dendrobium officinale, Nervilia fordii and Phaius 

columnaris). With the neighbouring Maolan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou, Mulun is 

among the most important refuges in China for primary and secondary karst forest flora (Zhou 

Z.X., 1987). 

Fauna of conservation concern include the Vulnerable Fairy Pitta and a number of species of 

restricted distribution, such as the lizard Tropidophorus guangxiensis, the snake Amphiesma 

optata, the toad Bufo cryptotympanicus and the fish Triblophysa sp., Paracheilognathus 

meridianus and Sinocyclocheilus lateristriatus. The terrestrial animal groups studied, like the 

plants, were diverse, and the composition indicated the high integrity of the forest ecosystem. The 

aquatic fauna also reflected high stream integrity, and the spring-fed stream water supported 

species requiring cool, clean water. A number of animal species were found that are thought to be 

new to science, and the reserve is likely to harbour more undiscovered species. 

- 21 -

Threats and problems 

The karst landscape generally has impoverished soil derived from limestone, with low soil 

coverage and porous bedrock. Thus karst forest is particularly susceptible to degradation 

following deforestation and disturbance, and recovery is slow. In the past the Mulun vegetation 

was protected from human disturbance by poor accessibility and low population density. But 

improved communication and transport have led to some changes. At the time of the survey all 

the flat land visited had been deforested and turned into agricultural fields. Much of the lowland 

within the reserve is now under cultivation, although some fields have been abandoned. Trees 

over a large area had been cut down for plantations of edible Amorphophallus species. Besides 

this habitat destruction, the pressure to harvest natural resources was substantial. Villagers still 

collected firewood from the reserve and caused a certain degree of deforestation and disturbance. 

Increased awareness of the economic value of plants and animals, combined with the gradual 

increase of populations at the edge of the reserve, has put increasing pressure on the reserve’s 

biodiversity. Various plants such as Picrasma quassioides, Machilius pauhoi and Calocedrus 

macrolepis were felled in large quantities for production of medicinal plasters, glue and farming 

tools, respectively. Orchids and other medicinal herbs, such as Paphiopedilum micranthum and 

Dysosma versipellis, were also collected in large quantities to meet market demands. 

Opportunities and recommendations 

The importance of Mulun has been recognised in the awarding of National Nature Reserve status. 

Reserve staff are also enthusiastic for their conservation role, and this should be developed with 

capacity building initiatives. 

There has already been a concerted effort to reduce consumption of forest resources. With 

funding from Guangxi Forestry Department and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, reserve 

management authorities have replaced 'tiger stoves' used by villagers with energy-efficient stoves. 

A longer-term solution may be the introduction of systems based on biogas or appropriate solar 

technology as it becomes available. The possibility of relocating villagers from the edge of the 

core area has been raised. Whether or not the residents are moved, non-exploitative means of 

using the forest resources should be promoted. Residents should also receive benefits from 

protecting, and not depleting, biodiversity. 

For certain threatened species, active conservation measures may be required. In situ conservation 

of the orchid Paphiopedilum micranthum has been identified as a priority due to the healthy 

populations occurring locally (Li, 2001). Generally, an ecosystem approach would be most 

beneficial, and emphasis should be placed on protecting and restoring the karst forest. In some 

areas at least, lowland forests should be re-established by planting native tree species in 

abandoned cultivated fields. This could be achieved through establishing small-scale tree 

nurseries in the villages, with training provided by regional experts such as staff of the Guangxi 

Institute of Botany. The funding requirements for such nurseries would not be high. 

Although the porous limestone reduces the prevalence of aboveground streams, those streams 

examined at Mulun were found to be exceptionally rich in fish, and supported good dragonfly 

assemblages. The freshwater habitats should be protected from disturbance, including overfishing. 

Further research is also needed on the limestone stream and cave fauna. 

Acknowledgements 

The editors wish to thank the Guangxi Forestry Department for their cooperation and assistance, 

and all participants of the survey team, including field staff at Mulun National Nature Reserve. 

- 22 -

We also thank staff at KFBG, particularly Joanne Loi, and our voluntary helper Sukh Mantel, for 

data input. This work has been funded by KFBG. 

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- 25 -

Figure 1. Map showing location of Mulun National Nature Reserve, North Guangxi, China. 

- 26 -

Report of a Rapid Biodiversity Assessment at Mulun National Nature ...

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