As a botanical “living fossil,” Cathaya argyrophylla in the Bamianshan Nature Reserve faces severe survival challenges. The extreme drought of 2022 pushed its communities to the brink of withering, exacerbated by habitat fragility, necessitating systematic conservation measures. In 2024, the Bamianshan Nature Reserve launched a specialized protection project for Cathaya argyrophylla. Through labeling individuals, establishing permanent sample plots and monitoring sites, the project systematically investigates population structure and habitat characteristics. These efforts accurately delineate the age composition of Cathaya argyrophylla, assess its natural regeneration capacity, and provide a scientific basis for targeted conservation and climate change adaptation.