The Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) is a protected area comprising the Gaoligong Mountains and the nearby Nu Jiang Reserve in the western Yunnan Province of China, near the international border with Burma. It covers a vast stretch of the junction of Baoshan City, Tengchong, and Lushui County, towards the west side of Nu (Salween) River.
It is a nature reserve of China, under the authority of the Chinese Ministry of Forestry. It is also recognized by international organizations: it is a Protected Area of the World Wildlife Fund, a World Biosphere Reserve, and a part of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site.
Geography
Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve covers an altitude ranging from the Nujiang lowlands (700 m) to alpine Gaolingong environment. The reserve runs from east to west and from south to north. Out of the total area, 85% is covered by natural forest. The region receives a high average annual rainfall of 1000–4000 mm. The climate is cool and dry from November to April, and warm and wet between May and October. Wona (3,916 m) is the highest peak in the reserve, and the highest areas are restricted as an inviolate core, where visitors are not allowed. The only exception is along the southern silk road, which is the only access to the highest elevations in the reserve.
The unique climatic condition of the area allows a complete transition from temperate to tropical forest, which is rare in the world. The forest is broadly classified as Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest and Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest. More specifically, the forest types include tropical rainforest and seasonal tropical forest (<1,000 m above sea level), laurel forest (1,000–2,600 m), temperate (montane) deciduous broad-leaf forest (1,000–3,000 m), subalpine coniferous forest (2,700–3,500 m), alpine meadow (>3,400 m), and alpine tundra. In addition, the reserve contains part of the Nujiang Langcang Gorge alpine conifer and mixed forests and Northern Indochina subtropical forests.
Socioeconomic condition
As an international border, the reserve serves as a corridor of immigration and a melting pot of ethnics and nationalities. The reserve is home to about 360,000 people belonging to 16−20 ethnic minorities. There are approximately 16 nationalities belonging to 109 administrative villages, 19 townships, and 5 counties. Han, Dai, Lisu, Hui, Bai, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Nu, Achang, Jingpo, Wa, de'ang, Nakhi, Derung, and Tibetan form the multicultural population.
The major livelihood patterns of these inhabitants are agriculture (especially of cash crops such as sugarcane), household industries such as handicrafts, carpentry, and logging. There are local organisations such as the Gaoligongshan Farmers’ Biodiversity and Conservation Association, a small tourism organisation in Dayutang, and a women’s association in Manghuang that are promoting alternative livelihoods to save the reserve. Ecotourism has developed into one of the major means of subsistence among the inhabitants. The Chinese Ministry of Forestry has allotted 8,550 hectares for tourism development.
Biodiversity
With its range of natural forests, the National Nature Reserve protects a large number of flora and fauna, and especially rare and endemic species. According to available statistics, there are 2,389 animal types in the reserve, and 82 of them are categorised as "nationally important". Summary can be given as follows:
Wildlife
There are about 205 species of wild mammals classified under 32 families and 10 orders. These include:
Birds
525 species of birds are recorded, which fall under 58 families and 19 orders. Species under protection are Sclater's monal, golden eagle, cinereous vulture, Mrs. Hume's pheasant, kalij pheasant, satyr tragopan, and silver pheasant.
Fish
There are 49 species of fish, and among them are the rare Lu River schizothoracin, Schizothorax myzostomus, and Burmese loach.
Vegetation
There are 2,514 native floristic species and 302 varieties in record that belong to 778 genera and 171 families. Some 318 species (12 families) are endemic. Endemic genera include Paragutzlaffia, Metapanax, Notoseris, Syncalathium, Heteropolygonatum, Davidia, Berneuxia, Whytochia, Gaoligongshania, Eurycorymbus, Pterygiella, Dickinsia, and Sinolimprichtia. It is the native home of azaleas (over 800 varieties), arguably the most famous flower in China; the unique species are: white Sim’s azalea, yellow azalea, Photinia glomerata, Rosa biflora, raspberry, Sorbus astateria, Bulbophyllum dulongense, Calanthe dulongensis, Coelogyne gongshanensis, Davidia involucrata.