South Dongting Lake Wetland

　　    The wetland of the Hunan South Dongting Lake Wetland and Waterfowl Nature Reserve is situated in the southern part of Dongting Lake—the largest overflow freshwater lake on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Plain. It boasts extremely rich biodiversity and serves as a vital habitat for many waterfowl species such as the white stork and the Siberian crane. The area yields high-value economic plants and animals and plays an essential role in flood regulation for the Yangtze River.

　　    Introduction

　　    The South Dongting Lake Wetland and Waterfowl Nature Reserve is located in Yiyang City, Hunan Province, covering an area of 168,000 hectares. Situated in the southern part of Dongting Lake—the largest overflow freshwater lake on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Plain—it features extremely rich biodiversity. Approximately 10 million waterfowl species winter in the reserve each year, making it a crucial habitat for many birds, including the white stork and the Siberian crane. It is also home to the Chinese sturgeon, a first-class nationally protected fish species. This wetland plays an extremely important role in flood regulation for the Yangtze River.

　　    Designated as a “Wetland and Waterfowl Nature Reserve” by the state, South Dongting Lake is inhabited by various rare and endangered waterfowl and other wild plants. The lake contains 118 rarely visited islets and sandbars, hosting 863 plant species, 164 bird species, and 114 fish species. Among the nationally first-class protected animals are the Chinese sturgeon, Chinese paddlefish, white-naped crane, and scaly-sided merganser, totaling 10 species.

　　    Geographical Location

　　    The Hunan South Dongting Lake Wetland and Waterfowl Nature Reserve is located southwest of Dongting Lake, within Yuanjiang City, spanning from longitude 112°18′15″ to 112°56′15″ east and latitude 28°11′30″ to 29°3′45″ north. The reserve encompasses 15 towns, villages, and farms, with a population of 300,000, and covers a total area of 168,000 hectares.

　　    The South Dongting Lake Wetland and Waterfowl Nature Reserve lies on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, with its eastern and southern boundaries bordering the outlets of the Xiang River and Zi River in the province.

　　    Natural Conditions

　　    1. Topography: This area features marshland topography formed by sediment deposits on the Dongting Plain of the middle and lower Yangtze River. The region has an intricate network of rivers and crisscrossing lakes. The entire area consists of 118 lake islets and 18 lakes.

　　    2. Soil: The soil in the South Dongting Lake Wetland mainly consists of fluvo-aquic soil, marsh soil, and marshy meadow soil.

　　    3. Water Quality: Dongting Lake is an overflow lake with a maximum water renewal cycle of 19 days. Tests show that its water quality meets China’s national Class II standards.

　　    4. Climate: The South Dongting Lake area experiences a subtropical humid climate typical of central China, characterized by abundant sunshine, ample rainfall, and relatively long periods of sunlight and frost-free days.

　　    Bird Resources

　　    The reserve is home to an extremely rich variety of birds. According to survey records, it hosts 164 bird species across 43 families and 16 orders, including 30 species of ducks, 19 species of sandpipers, 14 species of herons, 6 species of eagles, 4 species of falcons, 3 species of pheasants, 4 species of sparrows, 9 species of rails, 4 species of cuckoos, 4 species of kingfishers, 3 species of avocets, 3 species of shrikes, and 6 species of crows. Experts estimate that around 10 million migratory birds winter here. Nationally protected bird species include 805 white storks, 300 black storks, 200 white-naped cranes, 400 Siberian cranes, over 1,000 black-faced spoonbills, 30 great bustards, 400 white cranes, over 400 swans, 1,000 common cranes, over 20 scaly-sided mergansers, and 30,000 greater white-fronted geese, as well as 35,000 bean geese. In 1997, Japanese goose expert Toshio Ikeuchi recorded over 30,000 lesser white-fronted geese here, far exceeding the previous world record of 18,000. Additionally, the reserve has 863 plant species across 475 genera and 154 families, 23 mammal species, 23 reptile species, 8 amphibian species, 114 fish species across 23 families and 12 orders, 9 shrimp species across 4 families, and 48 mollusk species across 9 families.

　　    Description

　　    Due to the convergence of the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li Rivers and the Yangtze River, the South Dongting Lake Wetland exhibits a marshland topography where land is submerged in water and emerges as islets when water recedes. The area is crisscrossed with rivers and dotted with numerous islets and sandbars. Across the vast lake surface are 118 rarely visited islets and sandbars. In 2002, South Dongting Lake was designated as an international wetland nature reserve, with its core zone being Lumahu Lake within Yuanjiang City, covering an area of over 80 square kilometers. The lake islets are covered by 24,000 hectares of reeds, forming the world’s largest reed marsh community. Wild vegetables growing on the islets—such as wild celery, wild wormwood, asparagus, and smartweed—are hailed as the “Four Treasures of Dongting,” being authentic wild green foods cherished by many.