Guaxi Alsophila Natural Reserve

Guaxi Alsophila Natural Reserve

The Guaxi Alsophila Provincial Nature Reserve in Fu’an City was established in March 1996 with the approval of the Fu’an Municipal People’s Government, and was designated as a provincial-level nature reserve in February 1999 by the Fujian Provincial People’s Government. In May 1999, the Management Office was approved by the Fu’an Municipal Organization Committee, and in December 2011, with the consent of the Ningde Municipal Organization Committee, the Guaxi Alsophila Provincial Nature Reserve Management Office was designated as a fully government-funded public institution, classified as a sub-department-level unit under our bureau. It includes two administrative offices: the General Office and the Conservation Division. The office has been allocated six full-budgeted public service positions. The management office has set up two forest patrol checkpoints at Guaxi and Tongkengli. Since the establishment of the Reserve Management Office, the management of the Guaxi Alsophila Nature Reserve has been strengthened. Infrastructure construction projects within the reserve have been implemented, and efforts have begun to relocate residential buildings located in the core area and geological hazard zones, effectively protecting the natural habitat of Alsophila.

The reserve is located in the southwestern part of Fu’an City, at the junction of Xitan Town and Gantang Town in Fu’an, with geographical coordinates between 119°31′10″ to 119°33′06″ east longitude and 26°59′10″ to 26°56′23″ north latitude. It spans two towns, seven administrative villages, and 36 natural villages, covering 816 households and a total population of 3,613 people. The reserve covers an area of 1,438 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 77.29%. The vast forest area nurtures rich biodiversity typical of the central subtropical zone. The dominant tree species belong to the Fagaceae family, and the natural vegetation includes six types: evergreen coniferous forests, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, shrubs, grasslands, and bamboo forests, comprising 138 families, 322 genera, and 436 species. Notably, the reserve not only hosts thousands of Alsophila spinulosa trees of various ages and sizes, but also features the “King of Alsophila,” which stands 7.5 meters tall with a diameter of 19 centimeters at breast height. The Alsophila here is found at a latitude of 26°58', one of the highest in China. Especially within an area of about 400 hectares, there are over 4,000 ancient Alsophila plants dating back to the Silurian and Lower Devonian periods of the Paleozoic era. Such a large area with such a high concentration of these plants is extremely rare in China.

The reserve boasts a rich variety of plant species and beautiful scenery, featuring natural attractions such as Couple Waterfall, Gourd Waterfall, Red Army Pool, Mandarin Duck Pool, and Water Curtain Cave, making it a highlight of eco-tourism in eastern Fujian and even the entire province. The favorable habitat provides a reliable environment for wildlife. The reserve is home to 157 species of terrestrial wild vertebrates from 54 families across 27 orders, including 23 species of mammals (from 15 families and 8 orders), accounting for 20.9% of Fujian Province’s total mammal species; 71 species of birds (from 27 families and 14 orders), making up 13.1% of Fujian’s bird species; 14 species of reptiles (from 8 families and 3 orders), representing 12.2% of Fujian’s reptile species; 6 species of amphibians (from 4 families and 2 orders), accounting for 12.2% of Fujian’s amphibian species; 38 species of freshwater fish; and 203 species of insects (from 45 families and 9 orders). Among them, the nationally protected species include four Class I protected animals: clouded leopard, white-necked long-tailed pheasant, and python, as well as fourteen Class II protected animals: pangolin, large Indian civet, Chinese giant salamander, serow, and mandarin duck.