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<p>The illegal trade of endangered plant species through e-commerce platforms poses an emerging threat to biodiversity conservation, yet empirical research quantifying this phenomenon remains limited. This study investigated the online trade of endangered <i>Taxus</i> species in China by systematically analyzing listings on Taobao.com, the country’s largest e-commerce platform. We mapped the current distribution patterns of four native Chinese <i>Taxus</i> species and analyzed 969 online product listings between January 2024 and January 2025. Results revealed extensive trading of raw materials, including leaves (9,223 pieces), bark (4,425 pieces), and cones (3,669 pieces), with significant geographical overlap between seller locations and natural <i>Taxus</i> habitats. The trade was particularly concentrated in provinces with historical wild populations, such as Anhui, Jilin, Jiangxi, and Shaanxi, suggesting the exploitation of wild rather than cultivated sources. Despite comprehensive legal protection for <i>Taxus</i> species in China, including their designation under the National Protected Wild Plants List, the digital marketplace facilitates continued illegal trade through inadequate verification mechanisms and enforcement challenges. This research provides&#xa0;the first quantitative assessment of online <i>Taxus</i> trading patterns in China, highlighting urgent needs for enhanced digital surveillance, cross-platform monitoring, and strengthened enforcement protocols to protect these endangered species from exploitation through e-commerce channels.</p>

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Mapping the Online Trade of Endangered Taxus (Yew): Implications for Conservation in China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月4日

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  • Chunping Xie,
  • C. Y. Jim

摘要

The illegal trade of endangered plant species through e-commerce platforms poses an emerging threat to biodiversity conservation, yet empirical research quantifying this phenomenon remains limited. This study investigated the online trade of endangered Taxus species in China by systematically analyzing listings on Taobao.com, the country’s largest e-commerce platform. We mapped the current distribution patterns of four native Chinese Taxus species and analyzed 969 online product listings between January 2024 and January 2025. Results revealed extensive trading of raw materials, including leaves (9,223 pieces), bark (4,425 pieces), and cones (3,669 pieces), with significant geographical overlap between seller locations and natural Taxus habitats. The trade was particularly concentrated in provinces with historical wild populations, such as Anhui, Jilin, Jiangxi, and Shaanxi, suggesting the exploitation of wild rather than cultivated sources. Despite comprehensive legal protection for Taxus species in China, including their designation under the National Protected Wild Plants List, the digital marketplace facilitates continued illegal trade through inadequate verification mechanisms and enforcement challenges. This research provides the first quantitative assessment of online Taxus trading patterns in China, highlighting urgent needs for enhanced digital surveillance, cross-platform monitoring, and strengthened enforcement protocols to protect these endangered species from exploitation through e-commerce channels.