Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve

Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve

Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve is a provincial-level wetland nature reserve approved by the Heilongjiang Provincial Government in February 1997. It is located in the narrow strip along the Ussuri River south of the Muling River within Hulin City, covering a total area of 150 square kilometers. The Hukou Wetland Reserve features an undisturbed and intact original meadow swamp ecosystem. The area contains a complete range of pristine ecological types and almost encompasses all terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic biological species found on the Sanjiang Plain in Northeast China. Its primary conservation focus is the wetland ecosystem formed by the interrelated aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial organisms and their habitats. The reserve is home to over 600 species of higher plants, accounting for 20% of the total plant species in the Northeast region, belonging to 130 families. It also boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, including 52 species of birds and over 30 species of national first and second-class key protected animals. It is one of China’s best-preserved original wetlands and habitats for migratory birds, as well as an excellent destination for eco-tourism.

The reserve has a mid-temperate continental monsoon climate, characterized by long, harsh winters, short and hot, rainy summers, with an average annual temperature of 2.5°C. The flora belongs to the Changbai plant system. There are 600 species of higher plants, distributed across 130 families. Among them, there are four nationally protected endangered plant species: Amur cork tree, Manchurian ash, Manchurian walnut, and wild soybean. In the lowland island-like forests, there are dozens of tree species, as well as dozens of types of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, along with plants such as littleleaf linden, Carex schmidtii, and Carex meyeriana. The wildlife resources are abundant. Preliminary surveys have identified 52 species of birds, belonging to 13 orders and 27 families, including four species under national first-class protection: red-crowned crane, Siberian crane, white-tailed sea eagle, and white-headed eagle. The reserve is home to 235 species of mammals from 5 orders and 11 families, among which seven species are under national second-class protection: sika deer, moose, black bear, brown bear, lynx, otter, and snow hare. There are 45 species of fish in the reserve, belonging to 7 orders, 10 families, and 41 genera.