Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve in Jinping County, Honghe
Overview
Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve (金平分水岭国家级自然保护区) is located in the southeastern part of Jinping County (金平县), Honghe (红河) Prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省), China. The reserve covers a total area of 42,026.6 hectares and was upgraded to a national nature reserve on June 1, 2001. It aims to protect rare and endangered species such as the black gibbon (黑长臂猿) and honey monkey (蜂猴), as well as the forest ecosystem. The reserve is home to China’s largest and most intact primitive montane moss evergreen broadleaf forest, which plays a crucial role in forest and water source conservation.
Key Details
- Location: Jinping County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (云南省东南部金平县境内)
- Climate: Marginal tropical humid climate
- Area: 42,026.6 hectares
- Status: National Nature Reserve
- Protected Species: Black gibbon, honey monkey, etc.
- Type: Forest ecosystem protection area
- Approval Date: March 20, 1986
- Approval Document: National Office Document [2001] No. 45
Historical Development
- December 11, 1956: The Dawaishan Forest Area was designated as a logging prohibition zone.
- 1959: Establishment of the Dawaishan Forest Farm.
- October 10, 1958: The Jinping Fenshuiling Forest Area was included in Yunnan Province’s nature reserve planning.
- 1959: The establishment of Jinping Fenshuiling Forest Farm.
- November 6, 1981: The Fenshuiling Nature Reserve was included in the plan by the Yunnan Provincial Government to establish nature reserves.
- March 20, 1986: Official establishment of the Fenshuiling provincial nature reserve.
- June 2001: Approval from the State Council to establish the Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve.
Geographic Environment
- Location: The reserve is situated in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州) in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County (金平苗族瑶族傣族自治县). The geographic coordinates are approximately 102°31′36” to 103°31′50” E and 22°26′26” to 22°57′44” N.
Topography
The highest peak in the Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve is Hétóu Dàshān (河头大山), with an elevation of 2,597 meters, and the lowest elevation is 990 meters, giving a significant relative height difference of 2,084.3 meters.
Climate
The climate within the reserve is categorized as a marginal tropical humid climate. The elevation ranges from 105 meters to 3,074 meters. The Tropic of Cancer crosses through the area, leading to mild temperatures and abundant rainfall, with an average annual sunlight exposure of 2,000 hours and average annual temperatures ranging from 16 to 20°C. The reserve experiences a pronounced vertical climate gradient.
Hydrology
The reserve features a mountainous canyon landscape, with the Ailao Mountain Range (哀牢山脉) extending from north to south. This forms the natural watershed between the Hong River (红河) to the northeast and the Tengjiao River (藤条江) to the southwest. The area is characterized by deep canyons, with a relative height difference of 1,577 meters and an annual precipitation of 2,303 mm, making it one of the rainiest areas in southern Yunnan. Major rivers in the region include Mala River (骂腊河), Bai River (白河), and Jinping River (金平河).
Regional Scope
The reserve is divided into:
- Core Area: 32,378 hectares (57.5% of total area) with strict protection measures prohibiting human interference and destruction.
- Experimental Area: 23,947 hectares (52.5% of total area), which is further divided into a tourism sub-area covering 2,638 hectares (4.6% of total area). The experimental area allows for non-consumptive sustainable activities (e.g., educational practices, scientific research, ecological tourism) with prior approval.
Conservation Goals
Protected Species
The main conservation targets of Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve include rare and endangered species like:
- Black Gibbon (黑长臂猿)
- Honey Monkey (蜂猴)
Plant Resources
As of 2001, the reserve had more than 700 species of higher plants across 140 families. Notable prehistoric plants and endemics, such as the primordial lotus fern (原始莲座蕨) and tree ferns, are present. The vegetation types primarily consist of:
- Monsoon Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
- Montane Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
- Alpine Shrubland
The complex terrain and vertical climate create a diverse ecosystem, with numerous wild tea trees found primarily at altitudes between 1,500-2,300 meters, with some estimated to be over 500 years old.
Animal Resources
The reserve is home to a diverse array of fauna from subtropical and tropical zones, including:
- Mammals: Commonly found species include primates, carnivores, ungulates, lagomorphs, and rodents.
- Birds: Numerous species from subfamilies like turdinae, cuculidae, estrildidae, ioridae, and railidae.
As of 2001, the reserve reported:
- Mammals: 120 species from 29 families across 9 orders, with 32 species classified as rare or endangered.
- Amphibians and Reptiles: 91 species
- Birds: 338 species, with 58 species listed as nationally protected.
Nationally Protected Species
- First-Class: Black Gibbon, Honey Monkey, Peacock Pheasant, Giant Monitor Lizard, Python
- Second-Class: Pangolin, Black Bear, Water Deer, Large Civet, White Pheasant
Management Measures
Current Management Status
The wild tea trees in the reserve face varying degrees of damage. The Jinping County Nature Reserve Management Bureau, Jinping Forestry Bureau, and Forest Public Security Bureau work together to patrol and monitor key routes within the reserve. Since March 2007, over 1,000 personnel and 80 vehicles have been deployed, resulting in 700 penalties issued to offenders. The reserve administrators are committed to enhancing management efforts and protecting wild tea trees in accordance with local government directives.
Management Structure
The management bureau of Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve consists of several departments, including:
- Office
- Protection and Education Division
- Research Division
- Community Management and Multi-Operation Division
- Forest Police Division
It has four protection stations and eight management points.
Protective Measures
- Development of management plans and ecological tourism plans.
- Training programs to enhance staff capabilities since 1996, with 62 personnel trained in relevant natural reserve management.
- Establishment of a monitoring and patrol system, divided into 16 patrol lines totaling 239 km.
- Segregation of the reserve into core and experimental zones based on relevant regulations.
- Community co-management initiatives to improve local livelihoods and conservation awareness.
How to Get There
To reach Fenshuiling National Nature Reserve, visitors can travel to Jinping County by road or train from major cities in Yunnan Province, such as Kunming (昆明). The reserve is approximately a 3-hour drive from Kunming.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit the reserve is from April to October when the weather is pleasant and conducive for outdoor activities.
- Permits: Ensure to obtain necessary permits for entry, especially if planning to engage in research or tourism activities.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining a guided tour to explore the reserve and gain insights from local experts.
- Respect Wildlife: Follow all conservation guidelines to protect the unique flora and fauna within the reserve.
