Zhalong Nature Reserve

--Zhalong Nature Reserve is the largest reed wetland in the world and the hometown of Red Crowned Crane. The scenic spot is a natural paradise for waterfowl and other birds to inhabit and breed.

--June to September is the best time to watch cranes, when there are more red crowned cranes. The flying performance of the crane group is a special feature of Zhalong scenic spot, with about 20-30 red crowned cranes flying each time.

Heilongjiang Zhalong National Nature Reserve

synonym

Zhalong Nature Reserve generally refers to Heilongjiang Zhalong National Nature Reserve

Zhalong National Nature Reserve in Heilongjiang Province is a rare waterfowl distribution area dominated by cranes and other large waterfowl in China, and is the largest breeding place of Red Crowned Crane in the world.

Located in the west of Heilongjiang Province, the Songnen Plain in the southeast of Qiqihar city and the marsh reed grass zone in the lower reaches of Wuyuer River, the geographical coordinates are 123 ° 47 '～ 124 ° 37' e and 46 ° 52 '～ 47 ° 32' n. the boundary plane is irregular olive shaped from northeast to southwest, 80.6 km long from north to south, 58.0 km wide from east to west, with a total area of 210000 hectares. It is a nature reserve of wetland ecosystem type. Zhalong wetland is the world-famous wetland in the nature reserve. Zhalong wetland is the first in Asia, the fourth in the world and the largest reed wetland in the world. In 1992, it was listed in the list of international important wetlands. There are 15 species of cranes in the world, 9 in China and 6 in Zhalong; there are less than 2000 red crowned cranes in the world and more than 400 in Zhalong.

Historical evolution

In June 1976, on the basis of the investigation of rare and precious animal resources in the whole province organized by the Provincial Forestry Bureau, according to the suggestions of bird experts from the Institute of zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qiqihar forestry bureau established the Preparatory Office of Zhalong Nature Reserve according to the requirements of the provincial forestry Bureau.

In 1979, the people's Government of Heilongjiang Province approved the establishment of Zhalong Nature Reserve in Heilongjiang Province and set up the administration of Zhalong Nature Reserve.

In April 1987, the State Council approved Zhalong Nature Reserve to be promoted to a national nature reserve.

In 1992, China joined the Convention on Wetlands of international importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat, and Zhalong Nature Reserve was listed in the list of wetlands of international importance.

In 2001, Zhalong National Nature Reserve joined the human and biosphere organization of China.

geographical environment

geographical position

Zhalong National Nature Reserve is located 30 kilometers southeast of Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province. Its geographical coordinates are 123 ° 47 ′～ 124 ° 37 ′ E and 46 ° 52 ′～ 47 ° 32 ′ n. It is a wetland ecosystem type nature reserve.

Geology and geomorphology

The reserve is located in the west of Songnen Plain, which is a depression basin formed since Late Mesozoic. The main geomorphic type is the impact geomorphic type of river and lake facies in plain area. The river valley, river channel and sand are not obvious. The water flow is slow, and there are aeolian sand dunes and sandy land.

hydrologic condition

The water sources of the reserve include Wuyuer River, Shuangyang River, xinnenjiang canal and Bayi happy canal, among which Wuyuer river is the dominant factor to form and maintain the wetland ecosystem of the reserve. The annual precipitation of Wuyuer river basin is quite different. The average annual precipitation in the upper reaches is 550-600mm, and that in the lower reaches is about 400mm. The annual water demand in the lower reaches is 16.6 × 108m3, of which the natural precipitation is 6.6 × 108m3, the new Nenjiang canal makes up 7 × 108m3, and the water diversion from Nenjiang River and Wuyuer River in the north is 3 × 108m3. The water consumption in this area is about 10 × 108m3 for evaporation, 2 × 108m3 for water supplement project of Lianhuan lake, and 4.6 × 108m3 for infiltration and irrigation. Due to years of drought and the impact of water conservancy projects in the upper reaches of Wuyuer River and Shuangyang River, the annual water shortage of Zhalong Nature Reserve in 2010 was about 3 × 108 cubic meters.

Soil type

Zhalong wetland soil consists of six types, namely chernozem, meadow soil, alkaline soil, saline soil, swamp soil and sandy soil, mainly chernozem, meadow soil and swamp soil.

Water quality: the water quality of Zhalong Nature Reserve belongs to class V, and its chemical property is pH = 7.0, slightly alkaline.

Water depth, fluctuation and constancy of water depth: the water depth of Zhalong Wetland varies greatly. In the year of abundant rainfall, the water depth of swamp is generally 75 cm, and the average water depth of lake is 1-2 m; in the year of drought, the water depth of wetland is particularly shallow.

climatic conditions

The nature reserve is located in the mid latitude zone, belonging to the mid temperate continental monsoon climate. The annual average temperature is 3.5 ℃. The coldest month is January, the average temperature is - 19.2 ℃, and the extreme minimum temperature is - 39.5 ℃. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 22.8 ℃ and an extreme maximum temperature of 39.9 ℃. The annual evaporation is 1506.2 mm and the average annual relative humidity is 62%.

Typical natural events: a great flood occurred in 1998 and a serious wildfire occurred in 2001.

Regional scope

The reserve is 65 kilometers long from north to South and 37 kilometers wide from east to west, covering a total area of 210000 hectares, including 70000 hectares of core area, 67000 hectares of buffer area and 73000 hectares of experimental area.

The reserve is composed of a large permanent seasonal freshwater swamp and numerous small shallow lakes in the lower reaches of Wuyuer river. The maximum depth of swamp is 0.75 m, and the maximum depth of lake is 5 m. The wetland is surrounded by grassland, farmland and artificial fish ponds. Six species of cranes breed and stop here every year, accounting for 40% of the world's crane species. The nature reserve has many rivers, lakes and swamps, and the wetland ecology is well maintained.

Protection target

Protected objects

The main protected objects are rare birds such as Red Crowned Crane and wetland ecosystem, which is the most complete, original and open wetland ecosystem in the same latitude area of northern China.

plant resources

There are 468 species of higher plants in the nature reserve, belonging to 67 families. There are no endemic species in this region. Except for the world species and the species widely distributed in the mainland, the flora of Mongolia accounts for 15.2%; the flora of dawuli accounts for 14.5%; the flora of Manchuria accounts for 12.7%; and the flora of North China accounts for 4.1%. According to the biological and abiotic factors such as species, topography, water condition, community structure and appearance, soil species, the vegetation in Zhalong area can be divided into four types.

Animal resources

There are 46 species of fish belonging to 9 families. Amphibians and reptiles are relatively poor. There are four families and six species of amphibians, namely, Hynobius davidianus, Bufo gargarizans, Bufo raddei, Rana marmorata, Rana nigromaculata, Rana heilongjiangensis; there are two species of reptiles, namely, Trionyx sinensis and lizard. There are 21 species of mammals belonging to 5 orders and 9 families. There are 277 species of insects belonging to 11 orders and 65 families.

There are about 260 species of birds, belonging to 17 orders and 48 families. Among them, there are 35 species of national key protected birds, the most famous of which is crane. There are 15 species in the world and 9 species in China. There are 6 species of Red Crowned Crane, white crane, white headed crane, white pillow crane and Demoiselle Crane in this area, which is worthy of being the "hometown of crane" in the world. Among them, four species are breeding birds. There are 2000 red crowned cranes in the world. There are 346 breeding birds in this area, accounting for 17.3% of the total number of red crowned cranes in the world. Now they are listed as endangered species in the world. There are 34 white naped cranes, grey cranes first found their nests in 1986, and more than 50 Demoiselle Cranes. There are 35 species of national first and second class protected birds, and the first class includes Red Crowned Crane, white pillow crane, white spoonbill, etc. Bustard is common on the edge of swamp and near farmland. In addition to the abundant bird resources, there are 20 kinds of mammals, including wolves, red foxes, roe deer, badgers and yellow sheep; four kinds of amphibians, including Rana chensinensis, Rana nigra, Rana variegata and Bufo gargarizans; three kinds of reptiles, including lizards and freshwater turtles; 40 kinds of aquatic fish, crucian carp is the most abundant.

Management organization

Zhalong Nature Reserve has a Reserve Management Bureau, which is located in the west of the central part of the reserve. Its main task is to protect wetlands, research and breed waterfowl and cranes. Several small islands are inhabited.

tourist resources

The "Zhalong lake bird watching tourist area" in Zhalong Nature Reserve is 8 km long and 9 km wide, covering an area of 1550 hectares

At yushugang, birdwatchers can listen to the introduction, watch videos and movies about Zhalong Nature Reserve and cranes, climb the crane tower, overlook the wetland landscape where cranes and other waterfowls live and breed, and visit the exhibition hall and crane breeding farm;

Longpaozi (Zhalong South Lake), dapaozi (Zhalong North Lake), xigouzi (a natural river course) and Zhalong fish pond. Birdwatchers can observe many wild geese and ducks, Yangji, gulls and small wading birds in the meadow near the water;

Jiujianfang and dachangzi are reed grass swamp landscapes. Bird watchers can enjoy the nesting areas of egrets and ibis, wading birds such as cranes and storks, and swamp raptors;

In tukexigang, a large number of birds can be seen in farmland and residential areas;

In Zhalong nursery and its adjacent meadow steppe, forest birds, grassland wild birds, great bustard and Demoiselle Crane can be observed. In the "Zhalong Lake birdwatching tourist area", visitors can watch videos and movies of the reserve and cranes, climb the tower to view the wetland landscape, visit the breeding farm, and observe forest birds and grassland wild birds in the nursery and forest farm.

transport line

Chinese PinYin : Zha Long Zi Ran Bao Hu Qu