Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve (15470)
China (mainland), Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, B1
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.3667, Longitude: 100.1000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3168 to 5338
Area of KBA (km2): 134795.71061
Protected area coverage (%): 2.23
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sanjiangyuan means the origin of three rivers, namely the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang (Mekong) rivers. It is a very large, high-altitude nature reserve that neighbours Sichuan Province and Tibet Autonomous Region. The natural habitats range from montane forest in the lower eastern part of the reserve to cold alpine grassland and desert in the higher western part of the reserve. Longbaotan National Nature Reserve includes montane wetlands comprising lakes and marshes, and is a breeding area of Grus nigricollis and used by other waterbirds during the migration seasons.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: A total of 2,238 species of vascular plants have been identified in the area, including many with high herbal medicine values. Protected mammal species including Tibetan Antelope, Wild Yak, Kiang (Tibetan Wild Ass), Snow Leopard, Leopard, Brown Bear, Marco Polo’s Sheep, Musk Deer and Giant Salamander.
Delineation rationale: Polygon provided by Conservation International.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 |