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Considerations on conserving biodiversity are presently of central concern to ecologists and are also frequently debated among aquatic biologists and resource use scientists. In this paper we provide an overview of the state of knowledge on the biodiversity, mainly of fish species in the upper Yangtze River system and their level of endangered status as well as some overall data on other taxa (primarily of the benthos). Habitat issues are briefly addressed while also options for biodiversity management are discussed. Of specific concern is the Chinese paddlefish. Also, new hydro dams are being constructed, requiring further mitigation measures. An expanded concept of creating a new much more comprehensive reserve complex within which and the existing natural reserve is included, maintained and adjusted for a better and additional protection of the upper Yangtze River fish bioresources is introduced in this paper. It is clear that no reserve installation can fully compensate the loss of habitat and ecosystem structures caused by damming, however, it is hoped that the mitigation effect is substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]