Chinese Poems Help Track Extinction of Rare Finless Dolphin

An international team of scientists has reconstructed the range dynamics of the unique Yangtze River finless dolphin over the past 14 centuries using ancient Chinese poetry as a source of data. The results of the study, published in the journal Current Biology, show a 65% reduction in the species’ habitat, with the most dramatic decline occurring in the 20th century.

Finless dolphins, which have a distinctive "smile," are endemic to the Yangtze and once inhabited its entire waters. Scientists analyzed more than 700 poems written since 618 AD to trace the history of the species. Poems from the Ming and Qing dynasties describe the habits of these mammals and confirm their former prevalence not only in the main river but also in its tributaries and lake systems.

As it turned out, the critical decline in the population began in the last century due to active hydroelectric construction. The construction of dams disrupted migration routes and fragmented the dolphins' habitat.

The authors of the work emphasize that the poetic texts not only became a tool for environmental retrospective, but also reflected the deep connection of Chinese culture with nature. The poems capture a respectful attitude towards animals, which, according to scientists, is relevant for modern environmental initiatives.

The researchers hope their approach will inspire colleagues to study historical and cultural sources to reconstruct environmental changes, which could be key to developing strategies for preserving biodiversity in the face of anthropogenic pressure.

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