Aug. 28, 2017 -- 19 scientific researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences went on an expedition to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to study the flora and fauna around Serling Tso Lake and Nagqu Lake areas, Xainza and other counties. The research team was divided into five groups, which respectively studied mammals, birds, fish, reptiles as well as ecology and vegetation.

Yang Yongping, head of the research team and researcher from Kunming Institute of Botany at Chinese Academy of Sciences, said a variety of rare plateau species were found around Serling Tso Lake area and in northern Tibet.

"This expedition aims to figure out the species, numbers and distributions of the flora and fauna on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and draw a distribution map, in order to provide scientific data and suggestions to national parks for natural protection and eco-tourism planning," he added.

The ecological environment in northern Tibet is getting better, which is consistent with the evaluation report previously released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, according to researchers.

According to the report, the wild animals and plants are recovering and the species of rare wild animals on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are increasing. 129 national protected animal species and 39 national protected plant species have been well-protected, and the numbers of Tibetan antelopes, black-necked cranes and wild yaks have increased to about 150,000, 7,000 and 10,000 respectively.