Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve

　　    Hukou Wetland Nature Reserve is a provincial-level wetland nature reserve approved and established by the Heilongjiang Provincial Government in February 1997. It is situated south of the Muling River within Hulin City, stretching along the narrow strip of land along the Ussuri River, covering a total area of 150 square kilometers. The Hukou Wetland Reserve boasts an undisturbed and well-preserved original meadow marsh ecosystem. The area contains a complete range of pristine ecological types, encompassing nearly all terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic biological species found on the Sanjiang Plain in Northeast China. Its primary conservation focus is the wetland ecosystem formed by the coexistence of aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial organisms and their ecological environment. The reserve is home to over 600 species of higher plants, accounting for 20% of the total plant species in Northeast China, distributed across 130 families. The area also boasts abundant wildlife resources, including 52 species of birds and more than 30 species of national first and second-class protected animals. It is one of China’s better-preserved original wetlands and habitats for migratory birds, as well as an excellent destination for eco-tourism.

　　    The reserve features a mid-temperate continental monsoon climate, with long, harsh winters and short, warm, rainy summers. The annual average temperature is 2.5°C. The flora belongs to the Changbai plant system. There are 600 species of higher plants, distributed across 130 families. Among them, there are four nationally protected endangered plant species: Amur cork tree, Manchurian ash, Manchurian walnut, and wild soybean. In the lowland island-like forests, there are dozens of tree species, as well as dozens of varieties of Chinese herbal medicine, along with plants such as littleleaf linden, Carex schmidtii, and Carex meyeriana. The wildlife resources are rich. Preliminary surveys have identified 52 species of birds, belonging to 13 orders and 27 families, including four species under national first-class protection: red-crowned crane, Siberian crane, white-tailed sea eagle, and white-headed eagle. The reserve is home to 235 species of mammals from 5 orders and 11 families, including seven species under national second-class protection: sika deer, moose, black bear, brown bear, lynx, otter, and snow hare. There are 45 species of fish in the reserve, belonging to 7 orders, 10 families, and 41 genera.