Beijing released its first white paper on the capital's biodiversity protection on Thursday, aiming to provide a blueprint for the sector in megacities and offer a model of best practices for other urban areas.

According to field surveys conducted between 2020 and 2024, Beijing has documented a total of 7,121 species across various categories, said Liu Xianshu, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, at the press conference.

These 7,121 species include algae, higher plants, vertebrates, insects, large fungi, and macroinvertebrates, showcasing the rich ecological tapestry within the city.

The city has also preserved 56,000 crop samples and 15,000 livestock genetic materials. Additionally, Beijing has safeguarded 47 essential species of natural forest germplasm resources, according to the bureau.

"Beijing is now one of the world's most biodiverse metropolises," said Liu.