Comprehensive database of historical relics

We developed a comprehensive database that encompasses a diverse range of historical relics across China, including 307,666 heritage trees, 8,155 traditional villages, 5,060 nationally protected cultural heritage sites, and 42,401 religious sites (Fig. 1). These four categories were selected because they represent the most significant types of historical landmarks in China. Each type has clear definitions and classification criteria established by government authorities, and they have been systematically investigated, assessed, and announced. Moreover, previous research has highlighted their critical roles in forest and biodiversity conservation. These relics, often persisting for centuries, provide enduring protection for local forest landscapes, making them ideal subjects for this study. The spatial distribution of these relics is uneven, with higher concentrations in northern and southern China and comparatively lower densities in the northwestern and Qinghai-Tibet regions. This pattern reflects the historical and cultural development trajectories of different regions within the country.