保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)于1997年(nian)(nian)經(jing)江(jiang)西省人民政(zheng)府批建為省級自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu),歸屬南昌市管理,后經(jing)過5年(nian)(nian)科考和3年(nian)(nian)申報,于2008年(nian)(nian)1月由國務院(yuan)批準為國家級自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu),并更(geng)名為“鄱陽湖南磯濕地國家級自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)”。
行政上(shang)隸屬南(nan)昌市(shi)新(xin)建縣(xian)(xian)南(nan)磯(ji)鄉(xiang),距(ju)南(nan)昌市(shi)城區(qu)(qu)約60公里。保(bao)護區(qu)(qu)東(dong)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)太子河(he)入東(dong)湖口、西至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)贛江中支下游,北(bei)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)三山(shan)腳,南(nan)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)磯(ji)山(shan)以南(nan)鳳尾湖,東(dong)西寬(kuan)21.6公里,南(nan)北(bei)寬(kuan)27.7公里,范(fan)圍基本與南(nan)磯(ji)鄉(xiang)行政邊界(jie)一致(zhi)。保(bao)護區(qu)(qu)是江西省(sheng)面積較大的河(he)口類型國(guo)家級保(bao)護區(qu)(qu),緊鄰省(sheng)會南(nan)昌。地理坐(zuo)標在東(dong)經(jing)116°10′~116°25′,北(bei)緯28°51′~29°08′之間。東(dong)界(jie)以10個(ge)拐(guai)(guai)點的連線為界(jie),拐(guai)(guai)點的坐(zuo)標分別(bie)為(116°18′57″E,29°06′52″N);南(nan)界(jie)沿余干縣(xian)(xian)縣(xian)(xian)界(jie)向西南(nan)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)拐(guai)(guai)點(116°17′50″E,28°51′59″N);西界(jie)以(116°17′50″E,28°51′59″N)為起(qi)點,沿南(nan)昌縣(xian)(xian)縣(xian)(xian)界(jie)向北(bei)至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)大車荒,再經(jing)16個(ge)拐(guai)(guai)點至(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)北(bei)界(jie)起(qi)點(116°09′51″E,29°06′11″N),拐(guai)(guai)點的坐(zuo)標分別(bie)為(116°16′10″E,28°56′16″N);北(bei)界(jie)以9個(ge)拐(guai)(guai)點的連線為界(jie),拐(guai)(guai)點的坐(zuo)標分別(bie)為(116°10′22″E,29°07′8″N)。
南磯(ji)自然保(bao)護區在(zai)第四紀以來的(de)(de)地質(zhi)構(gou)造(zao)運動(新(xin)構(gou)造(zao)運動)中(zhong)(zhong)處于中(zhong)(zhong)心(xin)沉降(jiang)區,因此(ci)它也是不斷發育的(de)(de)各(ge)古河流水(shui)系的(de)(de)匯聚(ju)中(zhong)(zhong)心(xin)。南磯(ji)自然保(bao)護區具有“二元結構(gou)”的(de)(de)沖(chong)積(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)—沖(chong)洪(hong)積(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)相(xiang)網紋紅土、砂礫(li)(li)石堆積(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji),構(gou)成了厚(hou)達(da)30~75m的(de)(de)沉積(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)地層(ceng)(ceng)。在(zai)更新(xin)世沉積(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)地層(ceng)(ceng)或(huo)白(bai)堊系紫紅色粉砂巖基巖上,全(quan)新(xin)世沉積(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)由下而上,顆(ke)粒變細,下部為(wei)礫(li)(li)卵(luan)石、砂礫(li)(li)石、砂(含礫(li)(li))組(zu)成的(de)(de)粗碎(sui)(sui)屑,層(ceng)(ceng)面(mian)清晰,磨(mo)圓(yuan)度和分選性較好,上部則主要(yao)由亞(ya)粘土、亞(ya)砂土等夾不穩(wen)定淤(yu)泥質(zhi)薄層(ceng)(ceng)組(zu)成的(de)(de)細碎(sui)(sui)屑。
南磯自(zi)然保護區內河(he)(he)(he)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)數(shu)目眾多(duo),大(da)小河(he)(he)(he)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)有50條左右,河(he)(he)(he)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)長短不一(yi),形(xing)(xing)態各異,而且由(you)于沖淤作用還使(shi)得河(he)(he)(he)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)形(xing)(xing)態處于進一(yi)步的(de)發育和變化之中。最長河(he)(he)(he)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)達22.57km,最短也有1.08km,河(he)(he)(he)道(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)總長度為123.53km。
鄱(po)陽湖(hu)區(qu)屬亞(ya)熱帶(dai)暖濕季(ji)(ji)風(feng)區(qu),一年內冬季(ji)(ji)和(he)東南(nan)(nan)季(ji)(ji)風(feng)進退交換和(he)西太平洋副(fu)熱帶(dai)高壓南(nan)(nan)北振動(dong),對(dui)鄱(po)陽湖(hu)流域的天氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)變化和(he)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)候形成產生重大(da)影(ying)響(xiang),決(jue)定了氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)候的周期性變化。一般(ban)冬季(ji)(ji)極地大(da)陸(lu)冷氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)團向南(nan)(nan)流動(dong),由于(yu)南(nan)(nan)移的路徑不(bu)同,或(huo)西北路,或(huo)西路南(nan)(nan)下(xia)影(ying)響(xiang)鄱(po)陽湖(hu)區(qu),形成每年3~4次的寒(han)(han)潮天氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi),使(shi)湖(hu)區(qu)寒(han)(han)冷少(shao)雨,或(huo)出現雨雪天氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)。
該保護區(qu)總(zong)面(mian)積(ji)33300公(gong)(gong)頃,其(qi)中核心區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)17500公(gong)(gong)頃,緩沖區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)5500公(gong)(gong)頃,實驗區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)10300公(gong)(gong)頃。
鄱(po)陽湖南磯自然保護(hu)區(qu)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)豐富,區(qu)系(xi)成分(fen)復雜(za),類型多樣(yang),顯(xian)示具有(you)(you)(you)明顯(xian)的(de)南北植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)匯合(he)的(de)過渡性質。濕(shi)地(di)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)雖具有(you)(you)(you)地(di)帶性“烙印”,但隱域(yu)性特征明顯(xian)。據統計,保護(hu)區(qu)共(gong)有(you)(you)(you)維管束植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)115科(ke)304屬443種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中蕨類植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)11科(ke)11屬12種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),裸子植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)5科(ke)10屬11種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),被子植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)99科(ke)283屬420種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。蓼(liao)科(ke)(Polygonaceae 16種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong))、薔薇科(ke)(Rosaceae 17種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong))、豆(dou)科(ke)(Leghminosae 23種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong))、菊科(ke)(Composifae 31種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong))、禾本科(ke)(Graminae 24種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong))、莎草(cao)科(ke)(Cyperaceae 22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong))等6科(ke)在(zai)本區(qu)具有(you)(you)(you)明顯(xian)優勢,占有(you)(you)(you)主導地(di)位(wei),對本區(qu)植(zhi)(zhi)被的(de)構成、動態和(he)區(qu)系(xi)組成具有(you)(you)(you)重要作用。研究區(qu)中的(de)苔草(cao)群落Cares spp. Comm.、蘆葦群落Phragmites australis Comm.、眼子菜(cai)群落Potamogeton spp. Comm.、蓼(liao)群落Polygonum spp. Comm.、針藺群落Eleocharis spp. Comm.等世界(jie)廣布種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)是該區(qu)域(yu)的(de)主要建群種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。中國(guo)特有(you)(you)(you)屬在(zai)本區(qu)內僅有(you)(you)(you)3個栽培植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)屬,即(ji):水杉(shan)屬Metasequoia、枳屬Poncirus、南天竹屬Nandina。自然分(fen)布植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)中無(wu)中國(guo)特有(you)(you)(you)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)屬,此與濕(shi)地(di)植(zhi)(zhi)被的(de)典型隱域(yu)性質有(you)(you)(you)關(guan)。
2003-2004年保(bao)護區綜合(he)科(ke)(ke)(ke)學考察統(tong)計到(dao)(dao)浮游(you)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)62屬(shu)(shu)111種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),底棲動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)8科(ke)(ke)(ke)62種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),水生昆蟲11目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)40科(ke)(ke)(ke)168種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),魚(yu)(yu)類(lei)(lei)6目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)14科(ke)(ke)(ke)43屬(shu)(shu)58種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)江湖洄(hui)游(you)型魚(yu)(yu)類(lei)(lei)占40%,兩棲動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)1目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)5科(ke)(ke)(ke)11種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),爬(pa)行動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)3目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)10科(ke)(ke)(ke)23種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),哺乳(ru)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)7目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)12科(ke)(ke)(ke)22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。特別(bie)地(di),南磯(ji)保(bao)護區是具有(you)科(ke)(ke)(ke)研(yan)、保(bao)護與觀賞價值的(de)濕(shi)地(di)生態系(xi)統(tong)和濕(shi)地(di)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)保(bao)護區,區內鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)多,數(shu)量大,目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)前(qian)記錄到(dao)(dao)15目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)45科(ke)(ke)(ke)205種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),有(you)鸊(pi)鷉(ti)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)2種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鵜形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)1種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鸛形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)17種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),雁(yan)形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隼形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)10種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),雞形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)2種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鶴形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)12種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鸻形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鷗形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)7種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鴿形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)3種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鵑形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)6種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鸮形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)5種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),佛法僧目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)6種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鴷形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)2種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),雀形(xing)(xing)目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)82種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。其(qi)中(zhong),濕(shi)地(di)水鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)共7目(mu)(mu)(mu)(mu)89種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),占中(zhong)國水鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)的(de)35.6%。保(bao)護區內不(bu)同季(ji)(ji)節里鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)組成差(cha)異顯著,冬季(ji)(ji)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)142種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),春季(ji)(ji)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)120種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),夏季(ji)(ji)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)58種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),秋季(ji)(ji)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)64種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
由于地(di)(di)處(chu)贛江(jiang)(jiang)、鄱(po)陽湖和長(chang)江(jiang)(jiang)的(de)關鍵節點,保(bao)(bao)護區具(ju)有良好的(de)通江(jiang)(jiang)性,不僅(jin)是(shi)鯉、鯽等(deng)經濟魚(yu)(yu)類(lei)的(de)重(zhong)要產卵和育肥場所,也是(shi)長(chang)江(jiang)(jiang)中下游地(di)(di)區青、草、鰱、鳙、鰻鱺(li)、刀鱭、鳳(feng)尾魚(yu)(yu)等(deng)洄(hui)游型魚(yu)(yu)類(lei)的(de)主(zhu)要洄(hui)游通道甚至是(shi)避難所,對于鄱(po)陽湖、贛江(jiang)(jiang)和長(chang)江(jiang)(jiang)漁業資(zi)源保(bao)(bao)護與可持續利用具(ju)有重(zhong)要意義(yi)。保(bao)(bao)護區典型的(de)入湖口濕地(di)(di)生態系統(tong),是(shi)河(he)口自然地(di)(di)理、水文和生態環境監測(ce)等(deng)學科的(de)天然研究基地(di)(di),是(shi)研究內陸(lu)河(he)口濕地(di)(di)生態系統(tong)的(de)場所。