Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park

Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park

Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Heilongjiang Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park is the most typical, well-preserved, large-scale, and biologically diverse national wetland park in the cold temperate zone and mountainous-to-plains transitional area of the eastern forest region of the Greater Khingan Mountains. It features a complete wetland system with a rich variety of types, and is also a comprehensive wetland park integrating scientific research, science education, wetland sightseeing, and eco-tourism.

I. Natural Conditions

Heilongjiang Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park is located on the southern slope of the Yilehuli Mountain range in the Greater Khingan Mountains, within the source area of the Nenjiang River. It is administered by the Jiagedaqi Forestry Bureau of the Daxing'anling Forestry Group Corporation, situated 66 kilometers from the urban area of Jiagedaqi and 30 kilometers from the Songling District. The park borders the Guyuan Forest Farm of the Songling Forestry Bureau to the north, adjoins the Dobicur Nature Reserve to the south, and neighbors the Guli Forest Farm to the east and west. The total area of the park is 28,702 hectares, divided into four functional zones: wetland conservation zone, education and exhibition zone, rational use zone, and management and service zone.

The wetland area within the park covers 15,846 hectares, accounting for 55.21% of the total area. The wetlands are categorized into four major types and six subtypes: marsh wetlands, river wetlands, lake wetlands, and artificial wetlands. Among them, marsh wetlands include herbaceous marshes, shrub marshes, and forested marshes; river wetlands mainly consist of permanent rivers; lake wetlands are primarily oxbow lakes; and artificial wetlands are reservoirs and ponds. Major rivers in the park such as the Daguli River, Xiaoguli River, and Majia River all belong to the Nenjiang River system. These three rivers stretch a combined length of 79.7 kilometers, with an average annual runoff of 649 million cubic meters, accounting for 12.1% of the Nenjiang River’s average annual runoff.

The park boasts abundant biological resources. There are 416 species of vascular plants, including one species under national first-class protection: bladderwort. Seven species are under national second-class protection: wild soybean, water milfoil, Manchurian ash, Dahurian alder, Amur corktree, black spikerush, and Amur corktree. Around 100 species are common medicinal plants. There are 231 species of birds, including 135 summer migratory birds, 6 winter migratory birds, 45 resident birds, and 45 passage birds. Six species are under national first-class protection: red-crowned crane, oriental stork, black-billed capercaillie, Siberian crane, white-naped crane, and golden eagle. Thirty-three species are under national second-class protection: whooper swan, tundra swan, greater white-fronted goose, mandarin duck, hazel grouse, Eurasian woodcock, northern goshawk, and Eurasian sparrowhawk. There are 47 species of mammals, including two under national first-class protection: sable and fisher. Five species are under national second-class protection: brown bear, gray wolf, roe deer, Eurasian otter, and snow hare. There are 30 species of valuable economic fish, such as lenok, taimen, and pike. Six amphibian species include the Siberian wood frog, Mongolian toad, Asiatic toad, Siberian salamander, and Japanese tree frog. Six reptile species are the multi-ocellated racerunner, Manchurian grass lizard, viviparous lizard, Chinese rat snake, red-spotted ratsnake, and Ussuri mamushi. There are 146 insect species.

The vast wetlands and well-preserved wetland ecosystems play a significant ecological role in regulating runoff, flood control, drought mitigation, climate regulation, and soil conservation, helping to maintain the water resource balance of the Nenjiang and Songhua River systems.

II. Construction Status

Heilongjiang Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park was established in January 2010. Since being approved as a national wetland park pilot site by the State Forestry Administration in February 2012, the Jiagedaqi Forestry Bureau has placed high importance on the project. With support and guidance from higher-level authorities, the bureau has adhered to the core principles advocated by the State Forestry Administration: “protection first, scientific restoration, rational use, and sustainable development.” Based on the “Overall Planning for Heilongjiang Daxing'anling Guli River National Wetland Park” prepared by the Heilongjiang Forestry Design and Research Institute and the evaluation opinions of the expert panel from the State Forestry Administration, the bureau has carried out various construction efforts tailored to the park’s unique advantages and characteristics. Over the years, investments totaling over 6 million yuan have been made. Key construction projects include: setting up boundary markers and stakes; maintaining patrol roads; renovating protection stations; constructing a new waterfowl monitoring station; building an education center, educational corridor, wildlife exhibition garden, and field publicity corridor; installing promotional signs, directional signs, and warning signs; comprehensively renovating the office building; and procuring various equipment. Currently, all work at Guli River National Wetland Park is progressing in an orderly manner, and the Guli River wetland has received more effective protection. A wetland park primarily focused on the protection of natural swamp wetland ecosystems has been preliminarily established. In June 2017, the park successfully passed the national acceptance inspection, marking a significant achievement in the ecological construction efforts of the Jiagedaqi Forestry Bureau and contributing further to China’s ecological civilization initiatives.