Bai Shan Zu Ecotourism Project

Environmental Survey

3.1 Area & Environmental Survey

3.1.1 Geography

Bai Shan Zu is located in the southwest of Zhejiang Province in Qing Yuan County. It is a major component of the Zhejiang Feng Yang Shan - Bai Shan Zu National Conservation Area. The area is located within coordinates: Longitude 119^o 3' 53" - 119^o 6' 44", Latitude 27^o 40' 54" - 27^o 50' 13". The northwest boundary of the conservation area borders Feng Yang Shan National Nature Conservation Area in the Long Quan City administrative division.

The conservation area management office is located in the village of Che Gen, 38 kilometers north of the county administrative center, Qing Yuan city. Qing Yuan county is a division of the Li Shui Administrative District, with the administrative center located in Li Shui City, 261 kilometers north of Che Gen village.

3.1.2 Geology

Bai Shan Zu is part of the southeast China, Zhejiang - Fujian coastal mountain system. Base rocks are Jurassic Period igneous formations consisting largely of various tuff, rhyolite and granite compositions.

The highest mountain "Bai Shan Zhi Zu", (literally - grandfather of a hundred mountains), is 1856.7 metres above sea level and is the second highest peak in Zhejiang Province. This peak is located in the centre of the conservation area. Many of the mountains have slopes of greater than 30 degrees elevation, creating exceedingly rugged terrain with numerous deep gorges and cliff faces.

3.1.3 Climate

The conservation area is located in the central sub-tropical, monsoonal zone known as the "Nan Ling Min Ou Central Sub-tropical Zone". Due to landform distribution, the various areas experience several distinct weather patterns. The lowlands near the conservation area are hot in summer and cool in winter, while the higher altitudes are cool in summer and very cold in winter.

According to the Conservation Area Management Office weather station (1100m ASL), the average annual temperature in the conservation area is 12.8^oC, with mean rainfall of 2341.8mm. Average annual humidity is 84%, lowest temperature -13.2^oC and highest temperature 30.1^oC. Most rainfall occurs during April - May, while the hottest months are from April - August.

3.1.4 Water & Soil

Bai Shan Zu has abundant water resources, with numerous river valleys and gorges, and an extensive system of tributary streams. The Northeast area is a tributary of the Ou River, one of the largest river systems in Zhejiang Province. The southwest area is a tributary of the Gong Yuan River, a part of the Min River system that flows southwest into Fujian Province. The southeast area is a source of the Fu An River that also flows into Fujian Province to the south. As a result, Bai Shan Zu is often referred to as "San Jiang Zhi Yuan" or "Source of the Three Rivers".

Air and water quality are far above International standards set for maintaining a healthy living environment. However some level of air and water pollution does occur due to various economic activities by the local residents such as the operation of wood burning mushroom dryers and inadequate waste disposal systems.

The main soil types in the Bai Shan Zu area are various categories red and yellow soils and clays. Below 800 metres ASL red soils predominate, above 800 meters yellow soils are the major soil type. Since most of the conservation area is above 800 meters the yellow soils are most important to the ecology of Bai Shan Zu. The soil layer is moderately thick, with PH 4.0 - 5.3 and a high organic content. Humus layer is quite thick and provides a comparatively good water holding function.

3.1.5 Flora & Fauna

The Bai Shan Zu Conservation Area also contains abundant species of plants and animals. The families, genera and species totals are listed in the following table:

The conservation area contains numerous rare and endangered species including: Bai Shan Zu Fir, Southern Red Bean Fir, Fujian Cypress, South China Tiger, Yellow Belly Tragopan, White Neck Long Tail Pheasant, Cloud Leopard, Short Tailed Macaque, Giant Salamander, Tiger Stripe Frog and many other 1st and 2nd level protected species.

Bai Shan Zu conservation area has 91.6% forest cover, consisting of perennial and deciduous broadleaf and conifer forests. The area also includes several cultivated forest areas that include conifers, bamboo and tea plantations.

Perennial Broadleaf Forest:

Distributed between 800 - 1100 meters ASL on the southern slopes of valleys, mainly in red soils, with major species including - China Fir, Red Machilus, Sweet Quercus, Long-fruit Cassia, Green Ridge Oak, Yam, Wenzhou Ilex, Eurya Japonica, Hair Ilex.

Between 1200 - 1600 meters ASL on the northern slopes in dark yellow soils with major species including - Ying Tou Shi Oak, Sweet Quercus, Zhejiang Camphor, Xian Mai Ilex, Yellow Milk Tree, Hou Tou Azalea.

Mixed Perennial/Deciduous Broadleaf Forest:

Distributed between 1300 - 1650 meters ASL on yellow soils with major species including - Ba Dong Oak, Xiu Li Maple, Berry Linden, Eastern Coca, Ma Yin Hua.

Mixed Conifer/Broadleaf Forest:

Distributed between 600 - 1200 meters ASL - Mixed Masson Pine and broadleaf forest.

Between 1000 - 1500 meters ASL - Mixed China Fir and broadleaf forest.

Between 1100 - 1750 meters ASL - Mixed Yellow Mountain Pine and broadleaf forest.

Between 900 - 1600 meters ASL - Mixed Fujian Pine and broadleaf forest.

At about 1500 meters ASL - Cryptomeria and broadleaf forest.

Soils are red to yellow with major species including - Masson Pine, China Fir, Yellow Mountain Pine, Fujian Cypress, Cryptomeria, Bai Shan Zu Fir.

Yellow Mountain Pine Forest:

Between 100 - 1750 meters ASL, major species include - Sweet Quercus, Sizhou Ilex.

Mountain top shrub areas:

Between 1700 - 1750 meters ASL, major species include - Da Bing Ilex, White Wingceltis, Bai Xin Tree, Jiang Nan Hua Catalpa, Hair Mountain Cherry, Hua Indocalamus.

Mountain top grass areas:

Above 1700 meters ASL, major species include - Sizhou Ilex, Lushan Phyllodendron, Shui Ma Mulberry, Wild Zhulan.

Plantations:

Major species of cultivated plants include - China Fir forest, Pine forest and bamboo forest.

Major protected species of flora are listed in the following table:

Major protected species of fauna are listed in the following table: