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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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WOLONG |
 © Photo: Wang Yanpeng |
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| General Description |
This biosphere reserve is located in the Szechuan province about 150 km from Chengtu. Its altitude ranges from 1,200 to 6,250 meters above sea level and it is a center of biodiversity (e.g. 4,000 plant species). The occurrence of the world’s largest giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population within the area was the reason for the designation of the biosphere reserve. The protection of this umbrella species and its habitats assured the survival of all other species in the area. While agriculture remains the major economic activity of local people (about 5,000 people in 1997), tourist activities are increasingly becoming sources of income. Apart from the construction of tourist facilities, impacts on the ecosystem come from a high human population pressure, causing for example the fragmentation of green corridors which are important for the survival of the giant panda population, as well as non-authorized firewood and medicinal plant collection. Some of the challenges of the biosphere reserve are to promote sustainable tourism and to develop alternative income opportunities, for instance through the cultivation of medicinal plants. Past research within the biosphere reserve focused on the ecology and biology of the giant panda. However today, the ecosystem approach and the rehabilitation of bamboo and forest ecosystems play an important role as well. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Mixed mountain and highland systems | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Evergreen forest; evergreen deciduous broadleaf forest; mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest; coniferous forest mainly with Abies spp.; high mountain tundra; rocky habitats; agroecosystems | |||
| Location | 30°45' to 31°25'N; 102°52' to 103°25'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 200,000 | |||
| Core area(s) | 119,460 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 53,020 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 27,520 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +1,200 to +6,250 | |||
| Year designated | 1979 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Protection division of the Ministry of Forestry Government of Sichuan Province Protection office of Ministry of Forestry of Sichuan Administration of Wolong Natural Reserve | |||
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| Brief description |
Meteorological monitoring Giant panda population and concerned habitats Breeding research of Giant panda in captivity Mountain ecosystem monitoring Study on the impact of the industry (water power generation), agriculture and transportation on the environment Human population Tourism resources Mapping of the different zones of the biosphere reserve Developed fixed monitoring methods and survey forms |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Habitat, meteorology, monitoring/methodologies. | |||
| Biodiversity | Breeding/Reproduction, mammals, methodologies, mountain and highland systems, population genetics/population dynamics. | |||
| Socio-economic | Agriculture/Production systems, energy production systems/alternative energy, industry, monitoring methodologies, social/socio-economic aspects, tourism, transport. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact, mapping, monitoring/methodologies, planning and zoning measures/zonation. | |||
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| Contact address |
He Xiaoping Wolong Nature Reserve Administration Wenchuan County 623006 Sichuan Province China |
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| Telephone | (86.837) 624 6618 (86.837) 624 6615 |
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| Fax | (86.837) 624 6614 | |||
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wolongxhb@126.com |
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n.a. | |||
| Last updated: 12/12/2007 |
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