Jilin Wangqing Gaya River National Wetland Park

Jilin Wangqing Gaya River National Wetland Park

Jilin Wangqing Gaya River National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Jilin Wangqing Gaya River National Wetland Park is located in Barenou Forest Farm in the northern part of Tianqiaoling Forestry Bureau, Wangqing County, Yanbian Prefecture. It borders the planned Jilin Tianqiaoling Northeast Tiger Reserve to the north, connects to the northern part of Xiangshui Village, Tianqiaoling Town, to the south, and is mainly bounded by roads and farmland to the east and west. The area includes parts of compartments 6, 10, 11, 26, 18, 38, 23, 48, 49, 64, 63, 71, 72, 77, 81, 84, 85 in the Nanshi Forest District. Its geographical coordinates are between 43°47′44″N to 43°54′47″N and 129°48′33″E to 129°51′38″E, with a total area of 1,161.0 hectares. It is mainly divided into three categories: riverine wetlands, marsh wetlands, and artificial wetlands, encompassing eight types: permanent rivers, forested swamps, shrub swamps, herbaceous swamps, swampy meadows, aquaculture farms, reservoirs/ponds, and rice paddies.

The wetland park is primarily part of the Tumen River system. The Gaya River is the main river within the park, originating near Caomaoziding Mountain on the northern side of Wangqing. It has a drainage area of 6,242 km² and flows into the Tumen River after joining the Hailan River. As a first-order tributary of the Tumen River, it stretches 108.7 km in length, with a width of 15–25 m, a depth of 1.2 m, and a flow speed of 0.6 m per second. Within the park, the Gaya River spans 14.4 km, and the long-term average annual surface water resources of its basin total 2.687 × 10⁸ m³.

Based on the heterogeneity of wetland landscapes, the soils in the wetland park are divided into two main types: flooded soils and non-flooded soils. (1) Flooded soil types generally include meadow soil, meadow swamp soil, and underwater sediments. (2) Non-flooded soil types mainly consist of gray-brown forest soil, alluvial soil, and paddy soil.

The flora in this area is quite complex, with abundant wild plant resources. According to preliminary surveys, there are a total of 308 species of wild plants in the wetland park, including 12 species of wetland bryophytes from 4 families and 4 genera; 296 species of wetland vascular plants belonging to 60 families, 149 genera, comprising 13 species of ferns from 6 families and 8 genera; and 283 species of seed plants from 54 families and 141 genera, which include 5 species of gymnosperms from 1 family and 4 genera, and 278 species of angiosperms from 53 families and 137 genera.

The wetland park is rich in wildlife resources. The Gaya River, which runs vertically through the park, has abundant water resources and forms large areas of herbaceous swamps, shrub swamps, forested swamps, and swampy meadows. The unique terrain and diverse vegetation types create a complex and varied ecological environment, providing suitable breeding and habitat conditions for wildlife. Field investigations and data research indicate that the area is home to 206 species of vertebrates, accounting for 35.2% of the total known vertebrate species in Jilin Province. These are distributed across 5 classes, 30 orders, and 71 families. This includes 22 fish species (20.2% of Jilin Province’s total fish species), belonging to 5 orders and 6 families; 10 amphibian species (62.5% of the provincial total) across 2 orders and 5 families; 11 reptile species (61.1% of the provincial total) in 2 suborders and 4 families; 132 bird species (37% of the provincial total) from 16 orders and 41 families; and 32 mammal species across 6 orders and 15 families.

Among the 206 species of wild vertebrates in the wetland park, 26 are classified as nationally protected wildlife, including 2 species under Class I national protection—golden eagle and sable—and 24 Class II protected species, consisting of 20 bird species such as greater white-fronted goose, mandarin duck, black kite, cinereous vulture, white-headed buzzard, eastern marsh harrier, japanese sparrowhawk, eurasian sparrowhawk, northern goshawk, northern harrier, greater spotted eagle, red-footed falcon, hazel grouse, collared owlet, rusty-cheeked scimitar-babbler, besra, spotted nutcracker, long-tailed thrush, and others, as well as 3 mammal species—black bear, Eurasian otter, and sika deer. There is also 1 species of nationally protected aquatic animal—the lenok.

With its beautiful natural wetland landscape, rich biodiversity, and profound cultural heritage, Jilin Wangqing Gaya River National Wetland Park serves as an ideal site for wetland education, scientific research, and eco-tourism. It allows visitors to experience the beauty of wetlands and forests while intuitively understanding the importance of wetland conservation and gaining knowledge about wetland ecology. This promotes the gradual formation of a public atmosphere for wetland protection and plays a significant role in advancing the comprehensive development of wetland preservation. Additionally, it helps more people understand wetlands, experience wetland culture, and learn about the importance of protecting wetlands, their wildlife, and the natural ecological environment. It fosters ecological values and ethics that emphasize harmony between humans and nature, and enhances environmental awareness and the sense of responsibility to protect nature. Furthermore, it contributes to enhanced communication between enterprises and the outside world, improves operational and investment environments, and elevates corporate social image.

Source: Jilin Provincial Forestry Department