Beijing's Chaoyang District has been actively exploring the construction of a beautiful home featuring green waters, lush mountains, singing birds, fragrant flowers, and the harmonious symbiosis between humans and nature.

To provide a secure "home" for small animals, Chaoyang District has already built 12 biodiversity conservation communities, with plans to build three more this year.

Biodiversity conservation communities are designated areas within urban green spaces, suburban parks, affiliated green areas, or other artificially created environments or natural habitats, intended to maintain or enhance biodiversity. Since 2021, Chaoyang District has been utilizing existing plain ecological forests to establish biodiversity conservation communities. So far, 12 biodiversity conservation communities have been established, covering a total area of approximately 1,200 mu. These communities consist of small and micro wetlands, Benjes hedges, and insect inns, and have over 1,000 newly planted food-source plants such as ginkgo trees and Chinese scholar trees.

The soil in the middle of the Benjes hedge allows local plants to thrive, while the dry branches and rocks on the outer edges provide nesting spots for small wildlife and allow them to feed on the plants that grow out of the hedges. During winter, when the fallen leaves start to ferment, the temperature within the hedges varies, allowing insects to choose a overwintering space with the most suitable temperature. In this way, Benjes hedges can continuously provide fresh food for herbivores, attracting animals to make homes in the woodlands.

In addition to Benjes hedges, the woodlands also feature 20 insect inns, 20 artificial bird nests, and five small and micro wetlands, providing food, water sources, and shelters for wildlife to inhabit and breed.

(Source: People's Daily App)