1998年12月,由廣東省人民政府批準建立象頭山省級自然保護區。
2002年(nian)7月(yue)2日(ri)晉升為國家級(ji)自(zi)然保護(hu)區。
廣東象頭山國家(jia)級自然保護區(qu)位(wei)于惠(hui)州市(shi)北部,博羅縣境內,距惠(hui)州市(shi)區(qu)18公(gong)里(li),緊貼北回歸線。總(zong)(zong)面(mian)積(ji)為10696.9公(gong)頃,其中核心區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)為3635.6公(gong)頃,占總(zong)(zong)面(mian)積(ji)34%,森林覆蓋率88.4%;緩沖(chong)區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)為3996.6公(gong)頃,實驗區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)為3064.7公(gong)頃。
廣東(dong)(dong)象頭(tou)山(shan)(shan)國(guo)家級自然保護區(qu)(qu)位于(yu)博(bo)羅縣中(zhong)部(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)象頭(tou)山(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)區(qu)(qu),為(wei)山(shan)(shan)地(di)林區(qu)(qu)景(jing)觀,主(zhu)要為(wei)低山(shan)(shan)丘陵地(di)貌。其中(zhong)大(da)部(bu)(bu)分為(wei)海(hai)(hai)拔(ba)400—800m的(de)(de)山(shan)(shan)地(di)及(ji)深切(qie)峽谷(gu),僅在邊緣地(di)帶有(you)海(hai)(hai)拔(ba)400m以(yi)下(xia)的(de)(de)丘陵。本區(qu)(qu)雖然為(wei)低山(shan)(shan)丘陵,但由于(yu)屬(shu)新構造運動上(shang)升區(qu)(qu),山(shan)(shan)勢(shi)陡峻,溝谷(gu)深切(qie),地(di)勢(shi)險要,地(di)形比降(jiang)極大(da),與周圍(wei)的(de)(de)低山(shan)(shan)平原地(di)貌形成極大(da)的(de)(de)反差。從高點蟹(xie)眼頂到東(dong)(dong)部(bu)(bu)相(xiang)鄰的(de)(de)泰美(mei)老圩低點,相(xiang)對(dui)高差1000m以(yi)上(shang),地(di)形比降(jiang)達9.2%,是博(bo)羅縣境(jing)內地(di)形比降(jiang)大(da)之處。
該(gai)區地(di)表水(shui)(shui)文屬東江(jiang)流(liu)域。地(di)表水(shui)(shui)以河(he)(he)流(liu)、水(shui)(shui)庫、山塘等(deng)形式(shi)分布,流(liu)向東或東南方向。河(he)(he)網(wang)密(mi)度(du)為(wei)1.3~2.1km。河(he)(he)流(liu)流(liu)量變(bian)化(hua)與季節變(bian)化(hua)相(xiang)關,4~9月(yue)為(wei)豐水(shui)(shui)期(qi),10~3月(yue)為(wei)枯(ku)水(shui)(shui)期(qi)。區內有大小(xiao)(xiao)溪流(liu)40多條,大小(xiao)(xiao)水(shui)(shui)庫10座。
該區屬典型亞(ya)熱帶濕(shi)(shi)潤(run)季(ji)風氣(qi)(qi)(qi)候,具有(you)光照(zhao)充(chong)足、熱量(liang)豐富、降水充(chong)沛(pei)、空氣(qi)(qi)(qi)濕(shi)(shi)潤(run),分干(gan)(gan)濕(shi)(shi)兩(liang)季(ji),干(gan)(gan)季(ji)短(duan)、濕(shi)(shi)季(ji)長(chang),植物生(sheng)長(chang)期(qi)(qi)長(chang)、無霜期(qi)(qi)長(chang),風向隨季(ji)節改變(bian),氣(qi)(qi)(qi)候垂直(zhi)變(bian)化差異大,山(shan)(shan)上(shang)山(shan)(shan)下十(shi)里不(bu)同天(tian)(tian)等特點。區內(nei)年(nian)(nian)(nian)平(ping)均氣(qi)(qi)(qi)溫(wen)(wen)16.0—21.7℃;1月(yue)或2月(yue)最(zui)冷,月(yue)平(ping)均氣(qi)(qi)(qi)溫(wen)(wen)7.2—13.3℃;8月(yue)最(zui)熱,月(yue)平(ping)均氣(qi)(qi)(qi)溫(wen)(wen)22.5—27.2℃;極端最(zui)低(di)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)溫(wen)(wen)-6.6℃(濟(ji)公(gong)田,1985年(nian)(nian)(nian)12月(yue)11日(ri));極端最(zui)高氣(qi)(qi)(qi)溫(wen)(wen)35.1℃(管(guan)理局(ju),1985年(nian)(nian)(nian)6月(yue)22日(ri))。無霜期(qi)(qi)365天(tian)(tian),山(shan)(shan)下生(sheng)長(chang)期(qi)(qi)365天(tian)(tian),山(shan)(shan)上(shang)生(sheng)長(chang)期(qi)(qi)345天(tian)(tian)。區內(nei)年(nian)(nian)(nian)降水量(liang)2318.5mm,年(nian)(nian)(nian)際變(bian)化大,最(zui)多的(de)年(nian)(nian)(nian)份(fen)3516mm,最(zui)少的(de)年(nian)(nian)(nian)份(fen)1012mm。多年(nian)(nian)(nian)平(ping)均空氣(qi)(qi)(qi)相對濕(shi)(shi)度80%。總之,區內(nei)舒(shu)適期(qi)(qi)長(chang),氣(qi)(qi)(qi)候舒(shu)適宜人。
保護區內有維(wei)管植物(wu)(未調查苔(tai)蘚植物(wu))1647種(zhong)(zhong)(包括(kuo)該地(di)長期引種(zhong)(zhong),生長良(liang)好的92個栽(zai)培種(zhong)(zhong))。其(qi)中蕨類植物(wu)36科(ke)(ke)63屬(shu)113種(zhong)(zhong);裸子植物(wu)9科(ke)(ke)11屬(shu)14種(zhong)(zhong)(天然分(fen)布(bu)為5科(ke)(ke)5屬(shu)7種(zhong)(zhong));被子植物(wu)172科(ke)(ke)696屬(shu)1520種(zhong)(zhong)(天然分(fen)布(bu)161科(ke)(ke)607屬(shu)1432種(zhong)(zhong))。
保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區內(nei)珍稀瀕(bin)危物種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)繁多,如格木(mu)(mu)、半楓荷(he)、黑桫欏等10種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)被列入(ru)1999年公布《國家重點保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)植(zhi)物名(ming)錄》(第一(yi)批)。另有(you)觀光(guang)木(mu)(mu)、毛茶(cha)等11種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)列入(ru)《《中國珍稀瀕(bin)危保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)植(zhi)物名(ming)錄(第一(yi)冊)》。兩文(wen)件所規定保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),除去重復(fu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),該地共有(you)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)植(zhi)物16種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong):包括穗花杉(shan)、格木(mu)(mu)、華南栲(kao)、半楓荷(he)、白木(mu)(mu)香、粘木(mu)(mu)、巴戟天、長葉竹(zhu)柏、觀光(guang)木(mu)(mu)、白桂(gui)木(mu)(mu)、毛茶(cha)、黑桫欏、金毛狗、蘇鐵蕨(jue)、樟、紅椿(chun)。保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區內(nei)還(huan)蘊(yun)藏有(you)豐富的(de)蘭(lan)科植(zhi)物,據不(bu)完全統(tong)計,共有(you)45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
保護區也是(shi)華南(nan)地區特有(you)物(wu)種的(de)集中分(fen)布區,約有(you)360余種華南(nan)地區的(de)特有(you)植物(wu),如(ru)廣(guang)(guang)(guang)東潤楠、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)州追果藤、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)東刺冬、兩(liang)廣(guang)(guang)(guang)梭羅樹、小果石筆木、紅花荷(he)、半楓(feng)荷(he)、華南(nan)栲(kao)、華南(nan)青皮(pi)木、光葉紅豆、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)東烏飯樹、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)東山龍眼、毛茶(cha)等。
自然保(bao)護區共有(you)(you)陸(lu)生(sheng)脊椎(zhui)野生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬4綱23目75科,野生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)(dong)植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)多樣性(xing)豐富;305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)中,東洋界(jie)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)、古北界(jie)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)和(he)廣布種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)數(shu)分別為224種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)和(he)36種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),分別占了73.44%、14.75%和(he)11.80%;保(bao)護區內(nei)共有(you)(you)34種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國家(jia)(jia)重點保(bao)護動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu),占305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)的(de)11.15%,占廣東省國家(jia)(jia)重點保(bao)護物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)115種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)29.57%,其(qi)中國家(jia)(jia)Ⅰ級(ji)保(bao)護動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)云豹(bao)和(he)蟒蛇,Ⅱ級(ji)保(bao)護動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)虎紋蛙、三線(xian)閉殼(ke)龜、鳶、雀(que)鷹、蒼鷹、赤(chi)腹鷹、風頭鷹、褐(he)耳鷹、松(song)雀(que)鷹、鳳頭鵑隼、普通鵟、紅(hong)隼、燕隼、游隼、白鷴、綠皇鳩、褐(he)翅鴉(ya)鵑、小(xiao)鴉(ya)鵑、草鸮(xiao)(xiao)、栗鸮(xiao)(xiao)、斑頭鵂鹠、領(ling)鵂鹠、鷹鸮(xiao)(xiao)、紅(hong)角(jiao)鸮(xiao)(xiao)、領(ling)角(jiao)鸮(xiao)(xiao)、雕鸮(xiao)(xiao)、穿山甲、青鼬、小(xiao)靈貓、大靈貓、水獺(ta)和(he)蘇門(men)羚等32種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。珍(zhen)稀動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)較(jiao)多,區內(nei)共有(you)(you)210種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)屬“國家(jia)(jia)保(bao)護的(de)有(you)(you)益的(de)或者有(you)(you)重要(yao)經濟、科學研究價(jia)值的(de)陸(lu)生(sheng)野生(sheng)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)”,經濟動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)資(zi)源豐富。另有(you)(you)魚類(lei)(lei)(lei)(lei)72種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
①保護(hu)區內各(ge)種類型的(de)(de)植物群落,特別(bie)是低(di)山和(he)(he)溝谷地(di)區的(de)(de)南亞熱(re)帶(dai)常(chang)(chang)綠(lv)季雨(yu)林(lin)以(yi)及山地(di)亞熱(re)帶(dai)常(chang)(chang)綠(lv)闊葉林(lin)。這兩類森林(lin)為該地(di)相對(dui)穩定的(de)(de)生態系統,所以(yi)要嚴加(jia)保護(hu),不準(zhun)砍伐和(he)(he)挖取任何植物,不準(zhun)狩獵。
②保護珍稀瀕(bin)危植(zhi)(zhi)物。依(yi)據國家有關文件(jian)規定,該(gai)區有保護植(zhi)(zhi)物五十多種(zhong),即(ji)黑桫欏、金毛狗、蘇鐵蕨、格木(mu)、半楓荷、白木(mu)香、粘木(mu)、巴戟天(tian)、長(chang)葉竹柏、華南栲、觀光木(mu)、樟、紅(hong)椿等以及(ji)蘭科植(zhi)(zhi)物(40余種(zhong))。
③特有植物(wu)本地(di)(di)以及分布于該地(di)(di)的(de)廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)省特有植物(wu)共19種(zhong)(zhong),即(ji)僅在(zai)該區發現的(de)新種(zhong)(zhong)(或品種(zhong)(zhong))三種(zhong)(zhong):博羅(luo)紅豆(dou)(Ormosia boluoensis)、小金冬青(qing)(Ilex Xiajinensis)、光果金櫻子(Rosalaevigata var.leiocarpus);另有廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)特有種(zhong)(zhong):廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)潤蘭(Machilus Kuangtungensis)、禿小耳柃(Enrya disticha)、長(chang)柄(bing)石筆木(Tutcheria greeniae)、羅(luo)浮桫欏(luo)樹(shu)(Reevesia lofouensis)、長(chang)柄(bing)桫欏(luo)樹(shu)(Reevesia longipetiolata)、羅(luo)浮蘋婆(po)(Sterculia subnobilis)、鼎湖血桐(Maiaranga sampsoni)光葉(xie)紅豆(dou)(Ormosia glaberrima)、廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)烏飯樹(shu)(Vaccinium hancockiae)、羅(luo)浮粗(cu)葉(xie)木(Lasianthus fordii)、廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)玉(yu)葉(xie)金花(Mussaenda kwangtungensis)、楊葉(xie)風毛菊(Saussurea populia)、廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)石斗(dou)蘭(Bulbophyllum kwangtungense)、廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)畫眉草(Eragrostis nevinii)、廣東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)山龍眼(Helicia kwangtungensis)、羅(luo)浮路(lu)蕨(Mecodium lofoushanense)。
④自然環(huan)境生態系(xi)統是(shi)在(zai)一定的時間(jian)和空間(jian)內(nei),生物(wu)和非生物(wu)的成分(fen)之間(jian),通過不(bu)斷的物(wu)質循環(huan)和能量流動而相(xiang)互(hu)作用,互(hu)相(xiang)依存(cun)的統一整體。因此單純保護植(zhi)物(wu)和其(qi)組成群(qun)落是(shi)不(bu)科學的,也是(shi)不(bu)可能保護好的,必須將其(qi)生存(cun)環(huan)境嚴加保護。
①野(ye)生(sheng)動物保(bao)護規(gui)劃應遵循的原則(ze)是:"加強資(zi)源保(bao)護、積極馴養繁殖,合理開(kai)發(fa)利用",對珍稀瀕危動物及其生(sheng)境采取有效(xiao)的保(bao)護工程,使珍惜保(bao)護動物種群(qun)得以恢復和(he)擴大,促進自(zi)然保(bao)護區的科學管理和(he)可持續發(fa)展(zhan)。
②根據野生(sheng)動(dong)物(wu)資源(yuan)調查結果(guo)、保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)的功能分區(qu)和珍稀瀕危(wei)動(dong)物(wu)的重(zhong)要分布區(qu)域(yu),確定保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)需絕對保(bao)護(hu)(hu)的范圍為(wei)核心區(qu),其余地區(qu)為(wei)一(yi)般(ban)性保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)域(yu),并(bing)在(zai)一(yi)般(ban)性保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)域(yu)加強保(bao)護(hu)(hu)宣傳。
廣(guang)東象頭山國家級(ji)自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)局負責象頭山自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)的(de)具體管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)工(gong)作,由廣(guang)東省(sheng)林業局管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)。保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)局下設(she)4個科(ke)(ke)室(shi)(shi),即辦(ban)公室(shi)(shi)、保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)科(ke)(ke)、科(ke)(ke)研宣教科(ke)(ke)、資源可持續利(li)用(yong)科(ke)(ke);以及6個保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan),分(fen)別是良田保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、甲子(zi)前保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、磨盤底保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、上嶂(zhang)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、平安保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)及小坑(keng)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)。日常運作方面(mian),實行保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)局-分(fen)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)科(ke)(ke)室(shi)(shi)-保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)三級(ji)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)體制(zhi)。
該(gai)保護(hu)區(qu)常(chang)(chang)綠闊葉林中有10個群系、若干(gan)個群叢,植(zhi)(zhi)物種(zhong)類非常(chang)(chang)豐富。這種(zhong)較完整的(de)地帶(dai)性森(sen)林植(zhi)(zhi)被(bei),是(shi)全(quan)世界生物多樣性保護(hu)的(de)核心(xin)。象頭(tou)(tou)山自(zi)然保護(hu)區(qu)又是(shi)廣(guang)東省東江上游(you)多條支流(liu)的(de)發源(yuan)地,東江擔(dan)任(ren)(ren)著深圳、東莞(guan)等重(zhong)要城市的(de)供(gong)水任(ren)(ren)務,所以保護(hu)象頭(tou)(tou)山森(sen)林植(zhi)(zhi)被(bei),對保護(hu)東江水量和(he)水質起著極為重(zhong)要的(de)作用。
解放(fang)前出版的《博羅縣志(zhi)》記載(zai)如(ru)下: "石(shi)船在象頭山馬尾泉下。石(shi)突起五(wu)、六尺,長(chang)丈余,玲瓏如(ru)船。" "去馬尾泉數百(bai)步(bu),大(da)石(shi)當中流,宛如(ru)畫舫,謂之石(shi)船。兩岸石(shi)壁,若(ruo)刀刻(ke)、若(ruo)蟲蝕、凹者(zhe)凸(tu)者(zhe),斷者(zhe)續者(zhe)......為山中勝處(chu)。"
"長(chang)溪中有(you)石(shi)(shi)如畫舫,謂之(zhi)石(shi)(shi)船,相傳為黃野(ye)仙(xian)遺(yi)跡。" 山中勝景,有(you)獅子巖(yan)(yan)佛寺和曬谷(gu)石(shi)(shi)、和尚石(shi)(shi)、仙(xian)人跡,觀(guan)(guan)音巖(yan)(yan)等。象山南麓有(you)明代(dai)"韓寅仲禮斗處"石(shi)(shi)刻及青(qing)羊洞、太極巖(yan)(yan)、懶(lan)云床、爛(lan)柯處諸(zhu)勝。象頭山之(zhi)湖光山色,云蒸霞蔚,長(chang)溪怪石(shi)(shi),幽(you)谷(gu)靈巖(yan)(yan),自宋代(dai)以(yi)來吸引無數游人前往觀(guan)(guan)賞,成為惠(hui)州、博羅一帶有(you)名的(de)旅游勝地。