1998年12月(yue),由(you)廣東省人民政府批準(zhun)建(jian)立象頭(tou)山省級自然保護區。
2002年(nian)7月(yue)2日晉升(sheng)為(wei)國家(jia)級自然保護(hu)區。
廣東象頭山國家級自(zi)然保護區(qu)位于惠(hui)州市北部,博(bo)羅縣境(jing)內(nei),距惠(hui)州市區(qu)18公(gong)(gong)里,緊(jin)貼北回(hui)歸(gui)線(xian)。總(zong)面積為10696.9公(gong)(gong)頃,其中核心區(qu)面積為3635.6公(gong)(gong)頃,占總(zong)面積34%,森林覆蓋率88.4%;緩沖(chong)區(qu)面積為3996.6公(gong)(gong)頃,實(shi)驗區(qu)面積為3064.7公(gong)(gong)頃。
廣東(dong)象頭山(shan)(shan)國家(jia)級自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護區(qu)位于博羅縣(xian)中部的(de)象頭山(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)區(qu),為(wei)山(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)(di)林區(qu)景觀,主要(yao)為(wei)低(di)山(shan)(shan)丘(qiu)陵地(di)(di)(di)(di)貌。其中大部分(fen)為(wei)海(hai)拔(ba)400—800m的(de)山(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)(di)及深切峽(xia)谷,僅(jin)在邊緣地(di)(di)(di)(di)帶有(you)海(hai)拔(ba)400m以下的(de)丘(qiu)陵。本(ben)區(qu)雖然(ran)(ran)為(wei)低(di)山(shan)(shan)丘(qiu)陵,但由(you)于屬(shu)新構造運動上升區(qu),山(shan)(shan)勢陡(dou)峻,溝谷深切,地(di)(di)(di)(di)勢險要(yao),地(di)(di)(di)(di)形(xing)(xing)比(bi)(bi)降極大,與(yu)周圍的(de)低(di)山(shan)(shan)平原(yuan)地(di)(di)(di)(di)貌形(xing)(xing)成極大的(de)反(fan)差(cha)。從(cong)高(gao)點蟹眼頂到東(dong)部相(xiang)鄰的(de)泰美(mei)老圩低(di)點,相(xiang)對(dui)高(gao)差(cha)1000m以上,地(di)(di)(di)(di)形(xing)(xing)比(bi)(bi)降達9.2%,是博羅縣(xian)境(jing)內地(di)(di)(di)(di)形(xing)(xing)比(bi)(bi)降大之處(chu)。
該(gai)區地表(biao)水文(wen)屬東江流(liu)(liu)域。地表(biao)水以河(he)流(liu)(liu)、水庫(ku)(ku)、山塘等形(xing)式分布,流(liu)(liu)向東或東南方向。河(he)網密度為(wei)1.3~2.1km。河(he)流(liu)(liu)流(liu)(liu)量變化與(yu)季節變化相關,4~9月(yue)(yue)為(wei)豐水期(qi),10~3月(yue)(yue)為(wei)枯水期(qi)。區內有大(da)小溪流(liu)(liu)40多(duo)條,大(da)小水庫(ku)(ku)10座。
該區屬典型亞熱(re)帶濕(shi)潤季(ji)(ji)(ji)風氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)候(hou),具有光(guang)照充(chong)足、熱(re)量豐富、降水(shui)充(chong)沛、空(kong)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)濕(shi)潤,分(fen)干濕(shi)兩季(ji)(ji)(ji),干季(ji)(ji)(ji)短、濕(shi)季(ji)(ji)(ji)長,植物生(sheng)長期長、無霜(shuang)期長,風向隨(sui)季(ji)(ji)(ji)節改變,氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)候(hou)垂直變化(hua)差異大,山(shan)上山(shan)下十里不同天等(deng)特點。區內(nei)(nei)年(nian)(nian)平(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)溫16.0—21.7℃;1月(yue)或2月(yue)最(zui)冷,月(yue)平(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)溫7.2—13.3℃;8月(yue)最(zui)熱(re),月(yue)平(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)溫22.5—27.2℃;極(ji)端最(zui)低氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)溫-6.6℃(濟公田,1985年(nian)(nian)12月(yue)11日);極(ji)端最(zui)高氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)溫35.1℃(管理(li)局,1985年(nian)(nian)6月(yue)22日)。無霜(shuang)期365天,山(shan)下生(sheng)長期365天,山(shan)上生(sheng)長期345天。區內(nei)(nei)年(nian)(nian)降水(shui)量2318.5mm,年(nian)(nian)際變化(hua)大,最(zui)多的年(nian)(nian)份3516mm,最(zui)少的年(nian)(nian)份1012mm。多年(nian)(nian)平(ping)(ping)均(jun)空(kong)氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)相對濕(shi)度(du)80%。總(zong)之,區內(nei)(nei)舒適期長,氣(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)候(hou)舒適宜人。
保護(hu)區內有維管植(zhi)物(未調查苔蘚植(zhi)物)1647種(zhong)(包(bao)括該地長期引種(zhong),生長良好的92個栽培種(zhong))。其(qi)中(zhong)蕨類植(zhi)物36科63屬(shu)(shu)113種(zhong);裸(luo)子(zi)植(zhi)物9科11屬(shu)(shu)14種(zhong)(天然(ran)分布為5科5屬(shu)(shu)7種(zhong));被(bei)子(zi)植(zhi)物172科696屬(shu)(shu)1520種(zhong)(天然(ran)分布161科607屬(shu)(shu)1432種(zhong))。
保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區內珍稀瀕危物(wu)種繁多,如格木(mu)(mu)、半(ban)楓荷、黑桫(suo)欏等10種被列(lie)入1999年公布《國家(jia)重(zhong)點保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)名錄》(第(di)一批)。另有(you)(you)(you)觀(guan)光(guang)木(mu)(mu)、毛茶(cha)等11種列(lie)入《《中國珍稀瀕危保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)名錄(第(di)一冊)》。兩文件所規定保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)種,除去重(zhong)復種,該地共有(you)(you)(you)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)16種:包括(kuo)穗花(hua)杉、格木(mu)(mu)、華(hua)南栲、半(ban)楓荷、白木(mu)(mu)香(xiang)、粘木(mu)(mu)、巴(ba)戟(ji)天(tian)、長葉竹柏(bo)、觀(guan)光(guang)木(mu)(mu)、白桂木(mu)(mu)、毛茶(cha)、黑桫(suo)欏、金毛狗、蘇鐵(tie)蕨、樟、紅椿。保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區內還蘊(yun)藏有(you)(you)(you)豐富的蘭科(ke)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu),據不完全統計,共有(you)(you)(you)45種。
保護區(qu)也是(shi)華南地(di)區(qu)特(te)有(you)物(wu)種的集中(zhong)分布區(qu),約有(you)360余種華南地(di)區(qu)的特(te)有(you)植物(wu),如廣東(dong)潤(run)楠、廣州追果(guo)藤、廣東(dong)刺冬、兩(liang)廣梭羅樹、小果(guo)石筆(bi)木、紅花荷、半楓荷、華南栲、華南青皮(pi)木、光葉紅豆(dou)、廣東(dong)烏(wu)飯樹、廣東(dong)山龍眼、毛茶等。
自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)共有(you)(you)陸(lu)生(sheng)(sheng)脊椎野(ye)(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬(shu)(shu)4綱23目(mu)75科,野(ye)(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)多(duo)樣性豐富(fu);305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野(ye)(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)中,東(dong)洋界種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)、古(gu)北界種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)和廣(guang)布種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)數(shu)分別(bie)為(wei)224種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)和36種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),分別(bie)占(zhan)(zhan)了(le)73.44%、14.75%和11.80%;保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內(nei)共有(you)(you)34種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)家(jia)(jia)重(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu),占(zhan)(zhan)305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野(ye)(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)的(de)11.15%,占(zhan)(zhan)廣(guang)東(dong)省國(guo)(guo)家(jia)(jia)重(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)115種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)29.57%,其中國(guo)(guo)家(jia)(jia)Ⅰ級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)云豹和蟒蛇,Ⅱ級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)虎紋蛙(wa)、三(san)線閉殼龜、鳶、雀(que)鷹(ying)(ying)、蒼(cang)鷹(ying)(ying)、赤腹鷹(ying)(ying)、風頭(tou)鷹(ying)(ying)、褐(he)耳(er)鷹(ying)(ying)、松雀(que)鷹(ying)(ying)、鳳頭(tou)鵑(juan)(juan)隼、普通鵟、紅(hong)隼、燕隼、游隼、白鷴、綠皇鳩、褐(he)翅鴉鵑(juan)(juan)、小鴉鵑(juan)(juan)、草鸮(xiao)、栗鸮(xiao)、斑(ban)頭(tou)鵂(xiu)(xiu)鹠(liu)(liu)、領鵂(xiu)(xiu)鹠(liu)(liu)、鷹(ying)(ying)鸮(xiao)、紅(hong)角鸮(xiao)、領角鸮(xiao)、雕鸮(xiao)、穿山甲、青鼬、小靈貓(mao)、大(da)靈貓(mao)、水(shui)獺(ta)和蘇門羚(ling)等(deng)32種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。珍稀(xi)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)較多(duo),區(qu)內(nei)共有(you)(you)210種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野(ye)(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)屬(shu)(shu)“國(guo)(guo)家(jia)(jia)保(bao)護(hu)的(de)有(you)(you)益的(de)或(huo)者有(you)(you)重(zhong)要經(jing)濟、科學研究(jiu)價值的(de)陸(lu)生(sheng)(sheng)野(ye)(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)”,經(jing)濟動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)資源豐富(fu)。另有(you)(you)魚類(lei)72種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
①保(bao)護區內(nei)各種類(lei)型(xing)的(de)植物群落,特別是低山(shan)和溝谷地(di)區的(de)南亞熱帶常綠季雨(yu)林(lin)以及山(shan)地(di)亞熱帶常綠闊(kuo)葉林(lin)。這兩類(lei)森林(lin)為該地(di)相對穩定(ding)的(de)生態(tai)系統,所(suo)以要(yao)嚴加保(bao)護,不準(zhun)砍伐和挖取任何植物,不準(zhun)狩獵。
②保(bao)護(hu)珍稀瀕危植(zhi)物。依據國(guo)家有(you)關(guan)文件(jian)規(gui)定,該區有(you)保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物五(wu)十(shi)多種,即黑桫(suo)欏、金毛狗、蘇鐵(tie)蕨、格木(mu)、半(ban)楓荷、白(bai)木(mu)香、粘木(mu)、巴戟天、長(chang)葉竹柏、華南栲、觀光木(mu)、樟(zhang)、紅(hong)椿等以(yi)及蘭科植(zhi)物(40余種)。
③特(te)有植(zhi)物(wu)本地以及分(fen)布于該地的廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)省特(te)有植(zhi)物(wu)共19種,即僅在(zai)該區發現的新(xin)種(或品種)三種:博羅紅(hong)豆(Ormosia boluoensis)、小金(jin)冬青(qing)(Ilex Xiajinensis)、光(guang)果金(jin)櫻子(zi)(Rosalaevigata var.leiocarpus);另(ling)有廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)特(te)有種:廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)潤(run)蘭(lan)(Machilus Kuangtungensis)、禿小耳(er)柃(Enrya disticha)、長柄石筆(bi)木(Tutcheria greeniae)、羅浮(fu)(fu)桫欏(luo)樹(shu)(Reevesia lofouensis)、長柄桫欏(luo)樹(shu)(Reevesia longipetiolata)、羅浮(fu)(fu)蘋婆(Sterculia subnobilis)、鼎(ding)湖血(xue)桐(tong)(Maiaranga sampsoni)光(guang)葉(xie)紅(hong)豆(Ormosia glaberrima)、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)烏飯(fan)樹(shu)(Vaccinium hancockiae)、羅浮(fu)(fu)粗葉(xie)木(Lasianthus fordii)、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)玉(yu)葉(xie)金(jin)花(Mussaenda kwangtungensis)、楊葉(xie)風(feng)毛菊(Saussurea populia)、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)石斗蘭(lan)(Bulbophyllum kwangtungense)、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)畫眉草(Eragrostis nevinii)、廣(guang)(guang)(guang)(guang)東(dong)(dong)(dong)山龍眼(Helicia kwangtungensis)、羅浮(fu)(fu)路蕨(Mecodium lofoushanense)。
④自然環境(jing)生態(tai)系統是在一(yi)(yi)定的時間和(he)空間內,生物(wu)(wu)和(he)非(fei)生物(wu)(wu)的成(cheng)(cheng)分之間,通(tong)過不斷的物(wu)(wu)質循(xun)環和(he)能量(liang)流動而相(xiang)互作用,互相(xiang)依存的統一(yi)(yi)整體。因(yin)此(ci)單(dan)純保護(hu)(hu)植物(wu)(wu)和(he)其(qi)組成(cheng)(cheng)群落是不科學的,也(ye)是不可能保護(hu)(hu)好的,必須將其(qi)生存環境(jing)嚴加(jia)保護(hu)(hu)。
①野生動(dong)(dong)物保護(hu)(hu)規劃(hua)應遵循的(de)(de)原則是:"加(jia)強資源(yuan)保護(hu)(hu)、積極馴養繁殖,合(he)理開發利用",對(dui)珍稀瀕危動(dong)(dong)物及其生境采取有效的(de)(de)保護(hu)(hu)工(gong)程,使(shi)珍惜保護(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)物種群得以恢復和擴大,促進(jin)自然保護(hu)(hu)區的(de)(de)科學管(guan)理和可(ke)持續發展。
②根據(ju)野生(sheng)動物(wu)資源調查(cha)結果(guo)、保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)的功(gong)能分區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)和珍稀(xi)瀕危動物(wu)的重要分布(bu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)域(yu),確定保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)需(xu)絕對保(bao)護(hu)的范圍為(wei)核心區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu),其余地區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)為(wei)一(yi)般(ban)性保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)域(yu),并在一(yi)般(ban)性保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)域(yu)加強保(bao)護(hu)宣傳。
廣(guang)東象(xiang)頭山(shan)國家級自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)局負責象(xiang)頭山(shan)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區的具體管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)工作(zuo),由廣(guang)東省林業局管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)。保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)局下(xia)設4個科(ke)(ke)(ke)室,即(ji)辦公(gong)室、保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)科(ke)(ke)(ke)、科(ke)(ke)(ke)研宣教(jiao)科(ke)(ke)(ke)、資(zi)源可持續利用科(ke)(ke)(ke);以及(ji)6個保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan),分別是良田(tian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)、甲子前保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)、磨盤底保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)、上嶂保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)、平安保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)及(ji)小坑保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)。日常運作(zuo)方面(mian),實行保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)局-分管(guan)(guan)科(ke)(ke)(ke)室-保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)站(zhan)(zhan)三級管(guan)(guan)理(li)(li)(li)體制。
該保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)常綠闊葉(xie)林中有10個群系、若干(gan)個群叢,植物種(zhong)類非(fei)常豐(feng)富。這種(zhong)較完整的(de)(de)地帶性(xing)森(sen)林植被,是全世界生物多樣性(xing)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)(de)核心。象(xiang)頭(tou)山(shan)自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)又(you)是廣東省東江上游(you)多條支流的(de)(de)發源地,東江擔任著深圳、東莞等重要城市的(de)(de)供水(shui)任務(wu),所以保(bao)(bao)護(hu)象(xiang)頭(tou)山(shan)森(sen)林植被,對保(bao)(bao)護(hu)東江水(shui)量和(he)水(shui)質起著極為重要的(de)(de)作用。
解(jie)放(fang)前出版的《博羅(luo)縣志》記載如(ru)下(xia): "石(shi)船在象頭(tou)山(shan)馬尾(wei)(wei)泉下(xia)。石(shi)突起五、六尺,長丈余,玲(ling)瓏如(ru)船。" "去馬尾(wei)(wei)泉數百步,大(da)石(shi)當中(zhong)流,宛如(ru)畫舫,謂之石(shi)船。兩岸(an)石(shi)壁(bi),若刀刻、若蟲蝕、凹者(zhe)凸者(zhe),斷者(zhe)續(xu)者(zhe)......為(wei)山(shan)中(zhong)勝處。"
"長溪中有(you)石(shi)如(ru)畫(hua)舫(fang),謂之石(shi)船,相傳(chuan)為黃(huang)野仙(xian)遺跡(ji)。" 山(shan)中勝景,有(you)獅子巖佛(fo)寺和曬谷石(shi)、和尚石(shi)、仙(xian)人跡(ji),觀音巖等。象山(shan)南麓有(you)明代"韓寅(yin)仲禮斗處(chu)"石(shi)刻及青(qing)羊(yang)洞、太極巖、懶云床、爛(lan)柯處(chu)諸勝。象頭山(shan)之湖光山(shan)色,云蒸霞蔚,長溪怪石(shi),幽谷靈巖,自宋代以來吸引無數游(you)人前(qian)往(wang)觀賞,成(cheng)為惠州、博羅一帶有(you)名的旅游(you)勝地。