From July 5 to 11, 2026, the first volunteer survey of the Guangxi gibbon habitat restoration plot trial project was successfully carried out in Genglao Tun, Zhenyi Village, Renzhuang Township, Jingxi City, Baise, Guangxi. A team of seven volunteers, together with staff from Shanghai Roots & Shoots and local forest rangers, 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 surveys of nine herbaceous quadrats and four tree-shrub quadrats.
The survey consisted of three core tasks: standing tree survey, herbaceous quadrat survey, and tree-shrub quadrat survey.
The standing tree 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 woodland trees. The Genglao Tun sample plots were just planted in February 2026, and this survey marked the first collection of standing tree data since planting, providing a crucial baseline for future growth monitoring.
The herbaceous and tree-shrub quadrat 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 facilitate species identification and educational display, the volunteers also prepared plant specimens and recorded the plant species found within the sample plots.
The survey period coincided with the tail 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 added considerable difficulty to the fieldwork. Despite these harsh conditions, the volunteers remained undaunted, maintained close collaboration throughout, and successfully completed all field tasks.
We hereby extend our sincere gratitude to all the volunteers, the Shanghai Roots & Shoots team, and the dedicated forest rangers who worked on the front line. It is precisely through your hard work and commitment that valuable first-hand data have been accumulated for the Guangxi gibbon habitat restoration plot trial.