Core Viewpoint - The discovery of the critically endangered plant species, Hoya leaf fern, in the Three Gorges Reservoir area highlights the ongoing efforts in biodiversity conservation and the need for protective measures for rare species [1][2]. Group 1: Discovery and Significance - The research team from the Yangtze River Economic Belt Ecological Environment National Engineering Research Center has found wild populations of Hoya leaf fern in Chongqing's Wanzhou and Shizhu regions, marking the second discovery since April 2023 [1][2]. - This newly discovered population is the largest recorded so far, consisting of over 100 individual plants located in remote cliff and canyon areas [2]. Group 2: Habitat and Characteristics - Hoya leaf fern is a unique plant endemic to the Three Gorges Reservoir area, thriving in thin soil layers on sandstone or limestone cliffs, with strict requirements for humidity, ventilation, and light [2]. - The species has a narrow distribution and low individual numbers, significantly impacted by human activities, leading to its classification as a national key protected wild plant and its assessment as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) [2]. Group 3: Future Research and Conservation Strategies - The research team plans to conduct further studies on the population structure and habitat adaptation mechanisms of Hoya leaf fern, aiming to develop both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies to support the long-term protection and recovery of this species [4].