Conquests of the Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve. A World Heritage Site at the edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (China)
Chapter
Publication Date:
2016
Short description:
Conquests of the Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve. A World Heritage Site at the edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (China) / Lugli, Stefano; Wright, Wendy; Tang, Ya; Du, Jie; Qiao, Xue; Fisher, Steb. - STAMPA. - (2016), pp. 189-217.
abstract:
The Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve is one of the most celebrated
natural wonders of China. The Reserve is included within the Jiuzhaigou
Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, which was listed as a World
Heritage Area by the United Nations Education Scientiic and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) in 1992; and is also a World Biosphere Reserve
(since 1997).
Jiuzhaigou is located about 400 km north of the city of Chengdu in
the Minshan Mountain region, in the northern part of Sichuan province
(southwestern China). The UNESCO site is around 72,000 ha (720 km2)
in area, with an additional buffer zone of around 60,000 ha (600 km2). Elevations
within the reserve range from approximately 1996 m up to 4764
m (ig. 1). The site is characterised by the deposition of travertine (tufa), a
calcium carbonate rock that develops from luvial waters through physical,
chemical, and biological mechanisms creating a spectacular array of distinctive
landforms. At Jiuzhaigou, these include 118 crystal-clear lakes (ig.
2) and pools, 17 waterfalls (ig. 3), 5 shoals and at least 47 springs (Gu et al.
2013). The area lies in a transitional climatic zone, between the edges of the
humid Sichuan basin and the semiarid Tibetan Plateau; and is rich in biodiversity.
Below 2900 m elevation, the slopes are mainly covered by mixed
pine and deciduous forests and above 2900 m subalpine conifer forests
dominate (Tang 2006; Bossard et al. 2015). Two hundred and twenty-two
bird species have been recorded in the valley (ig. 4), as well as a number
of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda, the
golden snub-nosed monkey and the Sichuan takin (Liu et al. 2007).
The conquests of this mountain area have been several; and have
spanned hundreds of years of human history in the region. The conquerors
include the early human settlers of the region, dating as far back as
5200 years ago (Henck et al. 2010; Lu et al. 2010). Several later conquests
followed, including the logging industry, the reserve authorities and the
tourists; and inally, the scientists.
natural wonders of China. The Reserve is included within the Jiuzhaigou
Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, which was listed as a World
Heritage Area by the United Nations Education Scientiic and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) in 1992; and is also a World Biosphere Reserve
(since 1997).
Jiuzhaigou is located about 400 km north of the city of Chengdu in
the Minshan Mountain region, in the northern part of Sichuan province
(southwestern China). The UNESCO site is around 72,000 ha (720 km2)
in area, with an additional buffer zone of around 60,000 ha (600 km2). Elevations
within the reserve range from approximately 1996 m up to 4764
m (ig. 1). The site is characterised by the deposition of travertine (tufa), a
calcium carbonate rock that develops from luvial waters through physical,
chemical, and biological mechanisms creating a spectacular array of distinctive
landforms. At Jiuzhaigou, these include 118 crystal-clear lakes (ig.
2) and pools, 17 waterfalls (ig. 3), 5 shoals and at least 47 springs (Gu et al.
2013). The area lies in a transitional climatic zone, between the edges of the
humid Sichuan basin and the semiarid Tibetan Plateau; and is rich in biodiversity.
Below 2900 m elevation, the slopes are mainly covered by mixed
pine and deciduous forests and above 2900 m subalpine conifer forests
dominate (Tang 2006; Bossard et al. 2015). Two hundred and twenty-two
bird species have been recorded in the valley (ig. 4), as well as a number
of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda, the
golden snub-nosed monkey and the Sichuan takin (Liu et al. 2007).
The conquests of this mountain area have been several; and have
spanned hundreds of years of human history in the region. The conquerors
include the early human settlers of the region, dating as far back as
5200 years ago (Henck et al. 2010; Lu et al. 2010). Several later conquests
followed, including the logging industry, the reserve authorities and the
tourists; and inally, the scientists.
Iris type:
Capitolo/Saggio
Keywords:
Jiuzhaigou, Cina, travertino, Sichuan
List of contributors:
Lugli, Stefano; Wright, Wendy; Tang, Ya; Du, Jie; Qiao, Xue; Fisher, Steb
Book title:
Conquistare la montagna. Storia di un'idea-Conquering mountains. The histotry of an idea