In the northern part of South China's Guangdong province lies a sanctuary of unparalleled natural beauty and ecological significance — the Nanling National Nature Reserve. Established in 1994, the expanse of wilderness covers an area of more than 58,000 hectares on the Nanling mountain range, with a core area of about 23,600 hectares dedicated to the preservation of its most pristine ecosystems.

The reserve is a haven for subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests and harbors many rare and endangered wildlife species.

With a forest coverage rate exceeding 98 percent, it boasts a rich tapestry of dense, untouched vegetation and an intact mountain forest ecosystem. It represents the largest contiguous area of primary forest in Guangdong and stands as a quintessential example of the evergreen broadleaf forests in southeastern China. Moreover, it is a precious natural heritage site at its latitude globally.

The reserve is a botanical treasure trove, with 3,892 recorded species of higher plants. Among these, 351 species are bryophytes and 3,541 are wild vascular plants. The reserve shelters two species of national first-class protected wild plants — the Chinese yew and Ormosia microphylla — and 66 species of national second-class protected plants, including the Kwangtung pine, Bole tree (Bretschneidera sinensis), and golden-flowered kiwifruit.

The reserve is also a bastion of animal biodiversity, home to 672 species of vertebrates. This includes 98 species of mammals, 363 species of birds, 101 species of reptiles, 45 species of amphibians and 65 species of bony fish.

It is teeming with insect life as well, with 3,195 species recorded, including 529 species of butterflies, 2,082 species of moths, and 584 species of beetles.

Eighteen species are animals under first-class State protection, including Cabot's tragopan, white-eared night heron, Chinese pangolin, Mangshan pit viper and the golden Kaiseri-Hind butterfly. In addition, 79 species are under second-class State protection, including black bear, silver pheasant and Chinese big-headed turtle.

As one of the sources of the Pearl River, the Nanling reserve is not only the most biologically rich nature reserve in the province but also its largest genetic repository of biological species. It is recognized as one of the country's biodiversity hot spots.

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn