Abstract: China is one of the world’s richest countries in biodiversity, but at the same time, also one of the countries where biodiversity is under the most serious threat. In 1950s and 60s, a large-scale biodiversity survey was carried out, laying down a solid foundation for composition of a series monographs of the vegetation, flora and fauna of China. Since 1990s, surveys have been going on in key areas to investigate important resources. Besides, categories and criteria for Red List have been developed, endangeredness of wild animal and plant species evaluated and graded, and demonstrative evaluation of the grading of endangeredness of ecosystems carried out. Great progress has also been made in ex-situ and in-situ conservation of biodiversity, and a series of relevant conservation planning reports and documents issued. Based on the achievements in the field of investigation and conservation of biodiversity, a review from the aspects of biodiversity survey, grading and evaluation of endangeredness, in ex-situ and in-situ conservation, policies and planning for biodiversity conservation is presented of the progresses China has made in the past 20 years in researches related to investigation and conservation of biodiversity. In addition, orientation of future research is proposed in light of existing problems. The authors hold that a comprehensive biodiversity survey is a basic work and hence suggest that comprehensive investigation and evaluation of the background of the biodiversity be further carried out, and a biodiversity monitoring network system be established.

Key words: biodiversity investigation, in-situ conservation, ex-situ conservation, evaluation and grading of endangeredness, progress of the study