Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
Encyclopedia
The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Yunnan
province, China
.
It lies within the drainage basins
of the upper reaches of the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong
(Lancang) and Salween (Nujiang) rivers, in the Yunnanese section of the Hengduan Mountains.
, the rivers greatly diverge: the Nujiang
empties out at Moulmein, Burma, into the Indian Ocean
, the Mekong
south of Ho Chi Minh City
, Vietnam
, into the South China Sea
and the Yangtse flows into the East China Sea
at Shanghai
. Selected nature reserves and places of scenic beauty in this unique region were collectively awarded World Heritage Site status in 2003 for their very rich biodiversity and outstanding topographical diversity.
mentions: "(It) may be the most biologically diverse temperate region on earth" and "An exceptional range of topographical features - from gorges to karst
to glaciated peaks -- is associated with the site being at a 'collision point' of tectonic plates
".
Due to its topography and geographical location, the Three Parallel Rivers region contains many climate types. Average annual precipitation ranges from 4,600mm in the Dulongjian area in the west of Gongshan county to 300mm in the upper valleys of the Yangtse river. The protected areas are home to around 6,000 species of plants, 173 species of mammals, and 417 species of birds. Many of the flora and fauna species are endemic to the region.
, the smallest of all of China's minority groups. Some of the other minorities found in this region are the Tibetan people
, the Nu people
, Lisu, Bai, Pumi
and Naxi. Many of these minorities still use traditional costumes as their normal daily attire.
In the same region as the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas lies the Old Town of Lijiang
, which is also a World Heritage Site in its own right.
and least disturbed temperate
ecosystem
s in the world".
Flora
The protected terrestrial ecoregion areas of this biodiversity hotspot
are for a large part covered with both temperate coniferous and broadleaf forests. The protected areas are home to around 6,000 species of plants, many of which are endemic to the region. More than 200 varieties of Rhododendron
and more than 100 species of Gentian
s and Primula
s are found in the areas.
Fauna
The fauna found in the areas includes 173 species of mammals, of which 81 are endemic, and 417 species of birds, of which 22 are endemic. Some of the mammals which inhabit these regions are the endemic Black Snub-nosed Monkey
, the Indian Leopard
, Snow Leopard
, and Clouded Leopard
; the Gaoligong Pika
, Gongshan muntjac
, Chinese Shrew Mole
, and Capped Langur
; the Stump-tailed Macaque
, Asiatic Wild Dog, Black Musk Deer
, and Takin
; the Smooth-coated Otter
, Hoolock gibbon
, Asian Black Bear and Red Panda
.
Rare bird species in the areas include Chestnut-throated Partridge
, the Lady Amherst's pheasant
, White-eared Pheasant
, Yunnan Nuthatch
, and Giant Nuthatch
; the White-speckled Laughingthrush
, Ferruginous Duck
, Severtzov's Grouse
, and Brown-winged Parrotbill
; the Ward's Trogon
, Black-necked Crane
and Verreaux's Monal-Partridge.
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
province, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
It lies within the drainage basins
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of the upper reaches of the Yangtze (Jinsha), Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
(Lancang) and Salween (Nujiang) rivers, in the Yunnanese section of the Hengduan Mountains.
Overview
Geography
The protected areas extend over 15 core areas, totalling 939,441.4 ha, and buffer areas, totalling 758,977.8 ha across a region of 180 km by 310 km. Here, for a distance of over 300 km, three of Asia's great rivers run roughly parallel to one another though separated by high mountain ranges with peaks over 6,000 meters. After this area of near confluenceConfluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
, the rivers greatly diverge: the Nujiang
Nujiang
Nujiang may refer to:*Nujiang River, or Salween River, in China and Southeast Asia*Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, prefecture in Yunnan, China*Nujiang, Tibet, a village in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
empties out at Moulmein, Burma, into the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, the Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
south of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, into the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
and the Yangtse flows into the East China Sea
East China Sea
The East China Sea is a marginal sea east of China. It is a part of the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 1,249,000 km² or 750,000 square miles.-Geography:...
at Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. Selected nature reserves and places of scenic beauty in this unique region were collectively awarded World Heritage Site status in 2003 for their very rich biodiversity and outstanding topographical diversity.
Biology
In its description, UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
mentions: "(It) may be the most biologically diverse temperate region on earth" and "An exceptional range of topographical features - from gorges to karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
to glaciated peaks -- is associated with the site being at a 'collision point' of tectonic plates
Tectonic Plates
Tectonic Plates is a 1992 independent Canadian film directed by Peter Mettler. Mettler also wrote the screenplay based on the play by Robert Lepage. The film stars Marie Gignac, Céline Bonnier and Robert Lepage.-Plot summary:...
".
Due to its topography and geographical location, the Three Parallel Rivers region contains many climate types. Average annual precipitation ranges from 4,600mm in the Dulongjian area in the west of Gongshan county to 300mm in the upper valleys of the Yangtse river. The protected areas are home to around 6,000 species of plants, 173 species of mammals, and 417 species of birds. Many of the flora and fauna species are endemic to the region.
Culture
Although this region has been acknowledged as a natural World Heritage Site, its demographic make-up also is highly interesting as it contains many of the twenty-five minorities found in Yunnan province including the DerungDerung
The Derung people are an ethnic group. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China. Their population of 6,000 is found in the Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province, in the Dulong valley...
, the smallest of all of China's minority groups. Some of the other minorities found in this region are the Tibetan people
Tibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
, the Nu people
Nu people
The Nu people are one of the 56 ethnic groups recognized by the People's Republic of China. Their population of 27,000 is divided into the Northern, Central and Southern groups. Their homeland is a country of high mountains and deep ravines crossed by the Lancang, Dulong and Nujiang rivers...
, Lisu, Bai, Pumi
Pumi
The Pumi people are an ethnic group. They form one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China....
and Naxi. Many of these minorities still use traditional costumes as their normal daily attire.
In the same region as the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas lies the Old Town of Lijiang
Old Town of Lijiang
The Old Town of Lijiang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Lijiang City, Yunnan, China.-History:The town has a history going back more than 800 years and was once a confluence for trade along the old tea horse road. The Lijiang old town is famous for its orderly system of waterways and...
, which is also a World Heritage Site in its own right.
Protected areas
The Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas consists of fifteen protected areas, in eight geographic clusters. The areas include:- The three separate sections of the Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve
- Haba XueshanHaba XueshanHaba Xueshan is a mountain rising above the northwest side of Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China. It rises opposite the higher Yulong Xueshan, and towers 3,500 metres above the river.-See also:...
Nature Reserve, with the Tiger Leaping GorgeTiger Leaping GorgeTiger Leaping Gorge is a canyon on the Yangtze River – locally called the Golden Sands River – located 60 km north of Lijiang City, Yunnan in southwestern China... - Bita Lake Nature Reserve, part of Pudacuo National ParkPudacuo National ParkPudacuo National Park is a national park located in Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province in the People's Republic of China. The park was announced on June 25, 2007, and is notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It incorporates...
, in Shangri-La CountyShangri-La CountyShangri-La County is a primarily Tibetan county in northwestern Yunnan province, Southwest China and is the location of the seat of the Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.-Name:... - Yunling Nature Reserve
- Gongshan Scenic Area
- Yueliangshan Scenic Area in Fugong CountyFugong CountyFugong County is a county located in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.-External links:*...
(also known as Stone Moon mountain) - Pianma Scenic Area in Lushui CountyLushui CountyLushui County is located in Nujiang Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.-See also:*Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas - Unesco World Heritage Site*Gaoligongshan Mountain-External links:*...
- Baima-Meili Xue Shan—Meili Snow mountain rangeMeili Xue ShanMainri Snow Mountains or Meili Xue Shan are a mountain range in the Chinese province of Yunnan. They lie close to the northwestern boundary of the province and are bounded by the Salween River on the west and the Mekong on the east...
Reserve, with the highest peak, at 6740 metres (22,112.9 ft), of the protected areas. - Julong Lake Scenic Area, in Deqin CountyDeqin CountyDêqên County is located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.-Climate:Being located at an altitude of , Dêqên has a subtropical highland climate that borders closely on a humid continental climate , which is remarkable for its latitude...
- Laowoshan Scenic Area, in Fugong CountyFugong CountyFugong County is a county located in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.-External links:*...
- Hongshan Scenic Area, part of Pudacuo National ParkPudacuo National ParkPudacuo National Park is a national park located in Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province in the People's Republic of China. The park was announced on June 25, 2007, and is notable as the first national park in China to meet International Union for Conservation of Nature standards. It incorporates...
in Shangri-La County - Qianhushan (Thousand Lake Mountain) Scenic Area, in Shangri-La County
- Laojunshan Scenic Area, in Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County
Flora and fauna
According to UNESCO "The area covered by the World Heritage site is claimed to be the most biodiverseBiodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
and least disturbed temperate
Temperate
In geography, temperate or tepid latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally relatively moderate, rather than extreme hot or cold...
ecosystem
Ecosystem
An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving , physical components of the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water and sunlight....
s in the world".
Flora
The protected terrestrial ecoregion areas of this biodiversity hotspot
Biodiversity hotspot
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” , revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in...
are for a large part covered with both temperate coniferous and broadleaf forests. The protected areas are home to around 6,000 species of plants, many of which are endemic to the region. More than 200 varieties of Rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
and more than 100 species of Gentian
Gentian
Gentiana is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Gentian family , tribe Gentianeae and monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species, it is considered a large genus.-Habitat:...
s and Primula
Primula
Primula is a genus of 400–500 species of low-growing herbs in the family Primulaceae. They include primrose, auricula, cowslip and oxlip. Many species are grown for their ornamental flowers...
s are found in the areas.
Fauna
The fauna found in the areas includes 173 species of mammals, of which 81 are endemic, and 417 species of birds, of which 22 are endemic. Some of the mammals which inhabit these regions are the endemic Black Snub-nosed Monkey
Black Snub-nosed Monkey
The black snub-nosed monkey , also known as the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, is an endangered species of primate in the Cercopithecidae family. It is endemic to China, where it is known to the locals as the Yunnan golden hair monkey and the black golden hair monkey...
, the Indian Leopard
Indian leopard
The Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard....
, Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard
The snow leopard is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia...
, and Clouded Leopard
Clouded Leopard
The clouded leopard is a felid found from the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China, and has been classified as vulnerable in 2008 by IUCN...
; the Gaoligong Pika
Gaoligong Pika
The Gaoligong Pika is a species of mammal in the Ochotonidae family. It is endemic to China....
, Gongshan muntjac
Gongshan muntjac
The Gongshan muntjac was recently identified by Chinese scientists as a new species of muntjac, a type of deer, living in the Gongshan mountains in northwestern Yunnan, southeast Tibet and northern Myanmar...
, Chinese Shrew Mole
Chinese Shrew Mole
The Chinese Shrew Mole is a species of mammal in the Talpidae family. It is endemic to China, Sichuan Province. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:* EDGE...
, and Capped Langur
Capped Langur
The capped langur is a species of primate in the Cercopithecidae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, and Myanmar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests...
; the Stump-tailed Macaque
Stump-tailed Macaque
The stump-tailed macaque , also called the bear macaque, is a species of macaque found in Southern Asia. In India, it is found in south of the Brahmaputra river, in northeastern part of the country.Its range in India extends from Assam and Meghalaya to eastern Aruanchal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur,...
, Asiatic Wild Dog, Black Musk Deer
Black Musk Deer
The Black Musk Deer or Dusky Musk Deer is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Moschidae family. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal....
, and Takin
Takin
The Takin , also called cattle chamois or gnu goat, is a goat-antelope found in the Eastern Himalayas. There are four subspecies: B. taxicolor taxicolor, the Mishmi Takin; B. taxicolor bedfordi, the Shanxi or Golden Takin; B. taxicolor tibetana, the Tibetan or Sichuan Takin; and B. taxicolor...
; the Smooth-coated Otter
Smooth-coated Otter
The Smooth-coated Otter is a species of otter, the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale. The species is found from southern Pakistan and parts of the India east to Southeast Asia, and there is a disjunct population in Iraq...
, Hoolock gibbon
Hoolock gibbon
The hoolock gibbons , also known as hoolocks, are two primate species from the family of the gibbons .Hoolocks are the second largest of the gibbons, after the Siamang. They reach a size of 60 to 90 cm and weigh 6 to 9 kg...
, Asian Black Bear and Red Panda
Red Panda
The red panda , is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is the only species of the genus Ailurus. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs...
.
Rare bird species in the areas include Chestnut-throated Partridge
Chestnut-throated Partridge
The Verreaux's Monal-Partridge or Chestnut-throated Partridge is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family. It is found only in China. Its natural habitat is boreal forests.-References:...
, the Lady Amherst's pheasant
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
The Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Chrysolophus amherstiae, is a bird of the order Galliformes and the family Phasianidae.These are native to south western China and Myanmar, but have been introduced elsewhere, and have established a self-supporting, but now declining, feral population in England, the...
, White-eared Pheasant
White-eared Pheasant
The Genus Crosssoptilon comprises four distinct ecological species of "Eared Pheasants", so named because of their prominent ear tufts.White Eared Pheasants are called Shagga by indigenous Himalayan peoples...
, Yunnan Nuthatch
Yunnan Nuthatch
The Yunnan Nuthatch is a species of bird in the Sittidae family. It is endemic to China .Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is becoming rare due to habitat loss.-Source:...
, and Giant Nuthatch
Giant Nuthatch
The Giant Nuthatch is a species of bird in the Sittidae family. It is found in China, Myanmar, and Thailand.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. In northern Thailand they were found to use Pinus kesiya stands both for foraging as well as for...
; the White-speckled Laughingthrush
White-speckled Laughingthrush
The White-speckled Laughingthrush is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is endemic to China.Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Ferruginous Duck
Ferruginous Duck
The Ferruginous Duck is a medium-sized diving duck from Eurasia. The species is known colloquially by birders as "Fudge Duck"....
, Severtzov's Grouse
Severtzov's Grouse
Chinese Grouse, also known as the Severtzov's Grouse or Black-breasted Hazel Grouse is a grouse species closely related to the Hazel Grouse....
, and Brown-winged Parrotbill
Brown-winged Parrotbill
The Brown-winged Parrotbill is a bird species often placed with the Old World babblers or in a distinct family Paradoxornithidae, but it actually seems to belong to the Sylviidae....
; the Ward's Trogon
Ward's Trogon
The Ward's Trogon is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....
, Black-necked Crane
Black-necked Crane
The Black-necked Crane is a medium-sized crane that is found on the Tibetan Plateau of Asia. It is 139 cm long with a 235 cm wingspan, and it weighs 5.5 kg . It is whitish-gray, with a black head, red crown patch, black upper neck and legs, and white patch to the rear of the eye...
and Verreaux's Monal-Partridge.
See also
- List of ecoregions in China
- Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest - terrestrial biomeBiomeBiomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems. Some parts of the earth have more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a...
- Temperate coniferous forest - terrestrial biome
- List of World Heritage Sites in Asia
Sources and references
- World-Heritage-Site.org: Three Parallel Rivers Of Yunnan Protected Areas
- Earth.org: "Three Parallel Rivers Of Yunnan Protected Areas" article
- http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/pdf/THREE%20RIVERS%20YUNNAN.pdf UNep-wcmc.org - Three Rivers of Yunnan]