Restore Habitat for Cao Vit Gibbons

From July 5 to 11, 2026, the first forest survey on the sample plots of the Guangxi gibbon habitat restoration project was successfully carried out in Genglao Tun, Zhenyi Village, Renzhuang Town, Jingxi City, Baise, Guangxi. A team of seven volunteers, together with staff from Shanghai Roots & Shoots and local villagers, spent one week overcoming significant challenges posed by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and karst terrain. They completed measurements on approximately 320 trees across eight sample plots, while simultaneously conducting ecological surveys of nine sites with herb layers and four sites with tree and shrub layers. 

The tree growth survey focused on measuring key growth indicators such as tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), ground diameter, and crown width, in order to systematically assess the growth status of the planted trees. The Genglao Tun sample plots were just planted in February 2026, and this survey marked the first collection of growth data since planting, providing a crucial baseline for future growth monitoring.

The ecological surveys were designed to evaluate changes in vegetation structure following reforestation efforts. As this is the first year of planting, all collected data will serve as baseline information for long-term comparative analysis in the future.

To help with species identification and nature education for local schools, the volunteers also prepared plant specimens and recorded the plant species found within the sample plots.

The survey period coincided with the end of a typhoon, and the region was experiencing its typical hot, humid, and rainy summer weather. The muddy, slippery slopes and the rugged karst limestone terrain made the fieldwork very difficult. Despite these harsh conditions, the volunteers maintained close collaboration throughout, and successfully completed all the survey tasks.