Dongsheng Nature Reserve

Dongsheng Nature Reserve

Dongsheng Nature Reserve is located in the northeastern part of Baoqing County, Heilongjiang Province, at the confluence of the Nali River, Tong River, and Xiaonali River. Its geographical coordinates are E:132°16′34″–132°45′21″, N:46°20′06″–46°51′20″. The total area of the reserve is 19,244 hectares, including a core zone of 6,968 hectares, a buffer zone of 6,568 hectares, and an experimental zone of 5,708 hectares.

The main conservation focus of Dongsheng Nature Reserve is the inland wetland ecosystem. It plays a vital role in protecting wetland biodiversity and ensuring effective management of the wetland nature reserve.

Located in the heart of the Sanjiang Plain, Dongsheng Nature Reserve features a typical landscape of marshy lowland plains. The geological structure of the reserve is part of the Tongjiang inland fault depression. The area has relatively abundant water resources, with rivers all belonging to the Ussuri River system. The Nali River, Tong River, and Xiaonali River constitute the main surface water sources in the region. The area lies in the mid-latitude zone and has a temperate continental monsoon climate. The annual average temperature is 3.6°C, the accumulated annual active temperature is 2,500–2,700°C, the frost-free period is 146 days, and the average annual precipitation is 503 mm.

The vegetation in Dongsheng Nature Reserve belongs to the Changbai plant flora. There are a total of 404 species of higher plants, distributed across 69 families. Nationally protected second-class plants include wild soybean, lotus, and Ussuri watermilfoil. The reserve is home to 282 species of vertebrates. Nationally protected mammal species include the snow hare and black bear, while 25 species of birds under national first- and second-class protection include the red-crowned crane, oriental white stork, whooper swan, and mandarin duck.