Shennongjia National Park: A natural wonderland at 31° north latitude

Shennongjia Park, a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, is located in the northwest of Hubei Province. It has a subtropical forest ecosystem known as the "lungs of the earth" and a peat moss wetland ecosystem known as the "kidneys of the earth". It is a gathering place for the world's living fossils and a refuge for ancient, rare and endemic species. Therefore, it is known as the "green miracle" at 31° north latitude.

Shennongjia Forest Area has a superior geographical location, with the Yangtze River Three Gorges in the south and Wudang in the north. It is the largest forest area in Hubei. With a high altitude, the temperature is naturally low, and the average temperature in summer is around 20℃. The temperature is comfortable and the tourism resources are extremely rich.

Secondly, Shennongjia National Park is rich in biological resources. According to statistics, from the establishment of Hubei Shennongjia National Nature Reserve to the establishment of Shennongjia National Park, local residents and tourists have rescued more than 1,000 wild animals, including more than 30 species such as tufted deer, sparrowhawks, yellow muntjacs, golden monkeys, golden eagles, and black bears. There are more than 5,000 species of wild animals, of which insects account for more than 75% of the province, reptiles account for more than 64%, birds account for more than 71%, and mammals account for more than 70%. When you walk into Shennongjia National Park, it is not uncommon to encounter golden monkeys passing through the biological corridor.

Golden monkey photographed in Dalongtan, Shennongjia National Park

In addition, Shennongjia is also a global biodiversity conservation demonstration base, an important ecological barrier in central China, and a water source conservation area for the Three Gorges Reservoir and Danjiangkou Reservoir. Shennongjia National Park is backed by the Laojun Mountain, which is more than 2,900 meters above sea level. There are more than 600 acres of nurseries in the village, with more than 100,000 seedlings such as Davidia involucrata and Abies planted. It is the largest rare seedling planting base in Shennongjia.

In nature, each species has its special role and status. Only by protecting biodiversity, safeguarding our home planet, and promoting harmonious coexistence between man and nature can we usher in better sustainable development. We should work hand in hand to make Shennongjia, where rare species live, an important tool for transforming "green waters and green mountains" into "gold and silver mountains."

Review expert: Yang Rurong, associate researcher at the Institute of Geography and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

China Association for Science and Technology Department of Science Popularization

Xinhuanet

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