State Forestry Administration Inspects the Work of the 4th National Giant Panda Census in Sichuan

From September 8 to IS, 2012, experts from the Office of the Lead Group of the 4th National Giant Panda Census of the State Forestry Administration inspected the work of the field investigation that was carried out by the 4A Census survey team in Sichuan.

The inspection team was composed of five people; Wang Zhichen; Director of the Planning and Design Institute of the State Forestry Administration, senior engineer Yu Baocheng, and experts Li Xiaohong, Dang Xiaowei, and Jiu Qiang who are from Gansu and Shaanxi. Yang Xuyu, the leader for the 4 Census team; and his deputies Gu Xiaodong and Dai Bo accompanied the inspection team. They also reviewed the investigation work in Mao County and Wenchuan County.

The experts inspected the field investigation work through debriefing; examining source materials and checking samples of the survey data. 133 data sheets were randomly reviewed and 11 transect lines were checked in Mao County and 8 in Wenchuan County:

All experts put a premium on the hard work the survey team has done and the achievements made in the 4th Census in Sichuan. Compared with Shaanxi and Gansu, the investigation team in Sichuan was faced with the most challenging working conditions. The capable and seasoned members of the survey team were able to hold up despite the hardship while out in the field. The well-organized team applied innovative and practical methods. The planned investigation transects, as well as the completed ones were scientifically arranged. All records were complete and in accordance with technical standards. The materials were well preserved. The experts expressed their hope that Sichuan could make further progress and accomplish the 4th Census in Sichuan as planned.

 

Director Zhang Xiwu Visits Surveyors of the 4th National Giant Panda Census

On October 13, 2012, Zhang Xiwu, Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Management of the State Forestry Administration (SFA), Zhang Dehui, Director of the Administration Office of the Giant Panda of SFA, and Wang Mengjun, an engineer from the Kunming Survey and Design Institute of SFA, accompanied by Jiang Chu, Vice-director of the Forestry Department of Sichuan Province, Wang Hongjia, Director of the Conservation Department, Yang Xuyu, the leader of the survey team of the 4 Census in Sichuan, and his deputy Gu Xiaodong, travelled to Xiaohe Village, Songpan County, Aba Autonomous Prefecture, to visit the surveyors of the 4th Census in Sichuan.

On behalf of the vice-director of SFA Yin Hong, Director Zhang conveyed warm greetings to the surveyors, and fully recognized their achievements during field investigations throughout the past year.

From November 19 to 24, 2012, experts of the Office of the Lead Group of the 4th National Giant Panda Census of the State Forestry Administration conducted a second inspection of the field investigation work carried out by the survey team in Sichuan.

The panel of experts was made up of Gong Minghao from the Planning and Design Institute of the State Forestry Administration, senior engineer Yu Baocheng, Professor Li Xiaohong from Tianshui Normal University, Gansu, Dang Xiaowei from Qingmuchuan Nature Reserve, Shaanxi, and Jiu Qiang from Huangbaiyuan Nature Reserve, Shaanxi. The experts inspected the investigation work through debriefing and examining source materials. Then they were divided into four groups and inspected the field work. 13 transect lines and 200 survey sheets were reviewed in Beichuan County. 120 transect lines for animals and 30 transect lines for vegetation were reviewed in Songpan County; while 40 transect lines for animals and 10 transect lines for vegetation in Beichuan County were examined.

The experts fully recognized the work that has been done in the 4 Census in Sichuan.