Orchids and eco-tourism: the world natural heritage and biosphere reserve, Huanglong

Deep in the heart of Mainland China, in a transitional zone between central and southwestern China lies the Huanglong nature reserve in northern Sichuan. A place of worship for many centuries, it has retained its scenic beauty, unmatched by any but a few other spots on earth, and possesses one of the most valuable faunas of the northern hemisphere, which includes a small population of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) the Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens), takin (Budoceras taxicolor), golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellanae) and several other rare mammals and birds. A rich flora, which easily matches the fauna in its significance for biodiversity, occurs between the warm zone below 2000 m and the high alpine regions above 3800 m. Prominent features of this flora are the orchids. In the lowermost regions a few epiphytic species (e.g. Phalaenopsis wilsonii and Neofinetia falcata) grow, but the majority comprise terrestrial orchids. In the warm temperate zone, members of the genera Cymbidium, Calanthe and Bletilla are not uncommon. In higher regions, several species of genera like Amitostigma, Calypso Chusua, Chusua , Cypripedium, Epipactis, Galearis, Goodyera, Habenaria, Hemipilia, Herminium, Listera, Malaxis, Neotria, Oreorchis, Platanthera and Tipularia often form considerable populations. The Huanglong reserve consists of six areas covering 550 km. The main part is the valley of Huanglong (=Yellow Dragon) at the northern flank of the Xuebaoding, with 5588 m in the highest peak in the Min Range. Between 3100 and 3600 m over a length of 3.5 km the valley is covered with spectacular travertine deposits, which form terraced ponds with clear blue and turquoise water, waterfalls and caves. On little islands between the ponds and in the open vegetation along the plank walkway thousands of slipper orchids (Cypripedium flavum, C. tibeticum, C. smithii and C. bardolphianum) form spectacular populations accompanied by many other terrestrial orchids and alpine plants as well as rhododendrons, roses, etc. Opened as a sightseeing spot some 24 years ago and visited by large numbers of tourists, the valley is still in pristine condition, due to sustainable management. In this tradition, development of soft eco-tourism in other parts of the reserve is in preparation as well as a project for ex-situ conservation and mass-propagation of native temperate orchids.