Hunan adds two ‘World’s Best Nature Reserves’
2023-07-17
Located in the northern border of Sangzhi County, Zhangjiajie City, Badagongshan National Nature Reserve encompasses three major forest areas: Tianping Mountain, Shanmujie, and Doupeng Mountain. It is the origin of the Lishui River in Hunan Province and the Qingjiang River in Hubei Province.
The reserve boasts a unique natural environment, diverse landforms, and abundant wildlife and plants, earning the reputations of “a natural museum,” “a genetic bank of species,” and “a natural oxygen bar.”
Situated in the northeastern part of the Wuling Mountains in Shimen County, Changde City, Hupingshan National Nature Reserve is the largest forest ecosystem nature reserve in Hunan Province. The reserve has a forest coverage rate of 90.2% and a vegetation coverage rate of 98.7%. It is home to over 9,120 recorded biological species.
The reserve is characterized by its ancient biogeography, rich biological resources, rare species of flora and fauna, and typical ecological systems. It holds great scientific research value and significance. It was listed as one of China’s 17 key areas of biodiversity with global significance in 1998 and one of the 200 globally important ecological regions in 2001.
