SHENZHEN has unveiled a plan aimed at enhancing the overall capabilities of its botanical gardens, with a special emphasis on the Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, according to Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

The initiative aligns with the national goal of establishing approximately 10 national-level botanical gardens by 2035.

The Fairy Lake Botanical Garden will collaborate closely with esteemed scientific research institutions and enterprises in Shenzhen, including the Southern University of Science and Technology, the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (AGIS), and BGI Research. Together, these organizations will focus on advancing plant genome research and cultivating new plant varieties.

In addition, the garden plans to establish a state-of-the-art industry-university-research collaboration platform to support plant diversity conservation and the sustainable deployment of plant resources.

By 2035, the garden aims to finalize the planning and development of its western area, spearhead the establishment of the Bujiuwo park area, and expand its off-site conservation greenhouse to 50,000 square meters. Its comprehensive plant conservation zone is set to encompass over 100 hectares.

Wang Sibo, from BGI Research, noted that Shenzhen’s abundant plant resources and advanced genetic technologies are unique strengths.

The garden will also introduce mangrove plants and related species, positioning itself as a global hub for the preservation of mangrove plant diversity. This effort will strengthen collaboration with Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan on plant diversity conservation.

The garden has successfully safeguarded 480 species of nationally protected wild plants through off-site conservation programs. Off-site conservation, or ex-situ conservation, involves preserving all levels of biological diversity outside of natural habitats by using various techniques.

Wang Hui, deputy director of the Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, stressed the crucial role of national-level botanical gardens in preserving plant biodiversity through off-site conservation efforts. The garden is pursuing its goal of becoming a global center for the off-site conservation of tropical and subtropical plants.

The garden is also home to the nation’s first National Cycad Germ-plasm Conservation Center. In early April, a critically endangered Cycas hongheensis blossomed, producing the world’s only known female cones.

Additionally, construction has begun on a 3.8-kilometer trail within the garden that has been designed to educate the public about plant science and share the fascinating stories of botanists.       (Wang Jingli)