Gaogesitaihanwula Nature Reserve

Gaogesitaihanwula Nature Reserve

Gaogesitaihanwula Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve.

Gaogesitaihanwula Nature Reserve is situated in the northern part of Ar Horqin Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. Its geographical coordinates are between 119°03′ to 119°39′ east longitude and 44°41′ to 45°08′ north latitude, covering a total area of 106,284 hectares. The reserve primarily encompasses the Han Mountain Forest Farm of Ar Horqin Banner, bordered to the north by Han Sumu Sumu within the same banner; to the south by Bairin Left Banner and Han Sumu Sumu of the same banner; to the east by Horqin Right Front Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia; and to the west by Xiwuzhumuqin Banner of Xilin Gol League.

The reserve lies in the central part of the southern section of the Greater Khingan Mountains. It is a typical transitional zone between the Mongolian Plateau and the Northeast China Plain, between forest and grassland, and between the North China and Northeast China plant floras. It features diverse ecosystems including forests, shrubs, grasslands, and wetlands. With dense forests, vast grasslands, crisscrossing streams, and abundant species, it plays a crucial ecological barrier role in blocking sandstorms from the Mongolian Plateau moving southward.

The main conservation targets of the reserve are: preserving the integrity of the typical transitional forest-grassland ecosystem on the southern foothills of the Greater Khingan Mountains; protecting the important wetland ecosystem at the source of the West Liaohe River; safeguarding the wild population of the sika deer (Northeastern subspecies) inhabiting this ecosystem; and protecting the breeding grounds of nationally protected bird species such as the great bustard and black stork, as well as other rare and endangered bird species.

The unique natural and geographical conditions of Gaogesitai have helped preserve a multitude of biological species. Preliminary scientific surveys have confirmed that the reserve contains 7 vegetation types and 33 formations; 132 species of bryophytes, 10 species of ferns, and 700 species of seed plants. It has recorded 1 new species of Chinese bryophytes and 9 new records for Inner Mongolia; 1 nationally protected plant species, 5 plant species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and 12 rare and endangered protected plant species in Inner Mongolia; as well as 160 species of wild macrofungi. There are 241 species of vertebrates, including 11 fish, 4 amphibians, 7 reptiles, 182 birds, and 37 mammals. Among these are 38 nationally protected bird species such as the great bustard, whooper swan, demoiselle crane, white-naped crane, black grouse, eastern imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, and red-footed falcon, as well as 2 nationally protected mammal species such as the sika deer and lynx. There are also 1,293 species of insects, including 1 new record species for China. A new species of Hemiptera was discovered within the reserve, named Bascopelta barclayi, with the reserve being the type locality for this insect.

Gaogesitaihanwula is an important water conservation area for both the Northeast China Plain and the Mongolian Plateau. Springs originating from its forests and grasslands converge into fourteen rivers, including the Heiha River and Sugi River. These flow eastward into the West Liaohe River of the Songliao Plain and westward into the Inner Mongolia Plateau, serving as vital sources of water for people and livestock along the river basins.

Gaogesitai is an important breeding ground for birds and home to wild sika deer. Rare and endangered bird species such as the great bustard, black stork, demoiselle crane, and black grouse all nest and breed here. It also preserves a highly significant wild population of the sika deer (Northeastern subspecies) in China. Sika deer can be spotted year-round throughout the area.

Gaogesitai serves as an excellent base for ecological and environmental education. In addition to its diverse biological resources and natural ecosystems, it also features rich geological landscapes left over from the Quaternary glacial period. Upon entering Gaogesitai, one can commonly see glacially carved triangular surfaces, ice steps, heart-shaped mountains, and glacial erratics—natural geological textbooks ideal for learning about geology.

Gaogesitaihanwula Nature Reserve was established in 1997 with the approval of the Ar Horqin Banner People's Government. It was promoted to a municipal-level reserve in 1999 and to a autonomous region-level reserve in 2001. On April 16, 2011, the State Council officially approved its promotion to a national nature reserve.