Ganshiling

Ganshiling

Ganshiling is a provincial-level nature reserve.

The Hainan Ganshiling Provincial Nature Reserve was established in 1985 with approval from the General Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province (Document No. Yue Ban Han [1985] 533). It primarily aims to protect the Wingless Dipterocarpus (Hopea reticulata), a rare and endangered plant species endemic to Hainan Island, along with its habitat. It is the southernmost lowland tropical rainforest ecosystem nature reserve in China. Located within the territory of Sanya City, Hainan Province, it borders Baoting County and lies beside the Ha-Yu Middle Road (G224 National Highway), just 30 km from downtown Sanya. Its geographical coordinates are 109°37′43.34″ to 109°41′37.03″ east longitude and 18°21′18.98″ to 18°23′59.37″ north latitude. The boundaries of the reserve are as follows: to the north is the boundary of Baoting County, to the south reaches the northern slope of Beishanling in Haitang District, Sanya, to the east starts from Wanshushan in Haitang District, and to the west connects the dam of Sanong Reservoir and the Ha-Yu Middle Road.

The total area of the reserve is 1,715.46 hectares, comprising an experimental zone of 631.67 hectares, a buffer zone of 401.46 hectares, and a core zone of 682.32 hectares.

The reserve boasts abundant wildlife resources. According to scientific surveys conducted between 2008 and 2010, it is home to 1,435 species of vascular plants from 744 genera and 181 families, including 1,334 species (including varieties) of wild vascular plants from 718 genera and 177 families (based on the Hutchinson system). A total of 154 species of terrestrial vertebrates belonging to 56 families and 22 orders have been recorded. The flora is predominantly of tropical origin, with high species diversity. In addition to rare species such as the Wingless Dipterocarpus and Vatica mangachapoi, there are also species that are found only in the Ganshiling area of Hainan, such as the recently discovered new species Camellia luteola, Camellia hainanica, and Blachia yaiensis, as well as new records for China (Amomum maximum) and Hainan (Vanilla siamensis) and Styrax hainanensis. These demonstrate strong endemism and rarity, making the reserve a microcosm of Hainan’s flora and of great significance for the study of tropical rainforest floras in southern and southwestern China.