Yangjifeng Nature Reserve

Yangjifeng Nature Reserve

Yangjifeng Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve.

Jiangxi Yangjifeng Nature Reserve is situated on the western mid-section of the Wuyi Mountain Range, right at the bend of the Wuyi Mountains, acting as a crucial ecological corridor linking different sections of the mountain range. It has the following important values: First, the reserve protects a well-preserved typical mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystem on the western mid-section of the Wuyi Mountains. The natural evergreen broad-leaved forests within the reserve cover a vast area, accounting for 68% of the total reserve area, and feature a high diversity of species. The main canopy-forming species belong to families such as Fagaceae, Lauraceae, Theaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, and Hamamelidaceae, including species like Castanopsis sclerophylla, Castanopsis fargesii, Castanopsis eyrei, Schima superba, Lithocarpus glaber, Pasania harlandii, Castanopsis lamontii, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Cyclobalanopsis multinervis, Phoebe sheareri, Ternstroemia gymnanthera, Daphniphyllum macropodum, and others. This makes it highly valuable for conducting scientific research on biodiversity in the Wuyi Mountains and exploring the role and significance of Yangjifeng in the formation and evolution of biodiversity across the entire Wuyi Mountain Range. Yangjifeng can serve as a scientific research base for studying mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and biodiversity. Second, the reserve boasts rich species diversity among terrestrial vertebrates, with many species and groups holding significant scientific research value. The Luxi River within the reserve is an important wintering site for the Scaly-sided Merganser, with nearly 90 individuals forming a wintering group each year, accounting for about 3% of the global population of approximately 3,000. In addition, populations of the Elliot’s Pheasant, the Black Muntjac, and the Yellow-bellied Tragopan are also quite substantial. Third, Yangjifeng Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of amphibian resources in East China. Amphibians have limited ranges and are highly sensitive to small-scale environmental changes, making them one of the most closely monitored animal groups in the world. The reserve is the modern distribution center for the South China cascade frog group within the genus Amolops and the spiny-breasted frog group within the genus Quasipaa. A total of 34 amphibian species have been identified here, accounting for 77.2% of the amphibian species found in Jiangxi Province. Not only is the diversity high, but the population sizes are also remarkably large—an uncommon phenomenon.

Historical Development

In 1998, the Yangjifeng County-Level Nature Reserve was established.

In 2004, it was approved as a Provincial-Level Nature Reserve by the provincial government.

In July 2007, Guixi City officially formed a leading group for applying for the upgrade of Yangjifeng to a National-Level Nature Reserve.

In 2008, an additional special fund of 1.8 million yuan was allocated for the national nature reserve application, providing financial assurance for the application process.

On October 14, 2007, the scientific survey work for Yangjifeng Nature Reserve was officially launched.

On November 19, 2010, Yangjifeng Nature Reserve passed the expert review of the National Nature Reserve Expert Evaluation Committee with unanimous approval.

On January 21, 2012, the State Council officially issued a document approving the upgrade of Jiangxi Yangjifeng Nature Reserve to a National-Level Nature Reserve.

Geographic Location

Jiangxi Yangjifeng Nature Reserve is located in the northeastern part of Jiangxi Province, at the southernmost tip of Guixi City, on the northwestern slope of the mid-section of the Wuyi Mountain Range, at the junction of North Wuyi and South Wuyi. It consists of two relatively independent mountain masses: Yangjifeng and Tianhua Mountain. The reserve is bordered by Wenfang Town of our city to the north, adjacent to the Matoushan Nature Reserve in Zixi County, Fuzhou City, to the west, neighboring Zhangping Township of our city and Yanshan County of Shangrao City to the east, and separated by towering mountains from Guangze County of Fujian Province to the southwest.

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