石(shi)門臺(tai)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)北面(mian)與(yu)曲(qu)江羅坑國(guo)(guo)(guo)家(jia)級(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)毗鄰(lin),西北面(mian)與(yu)乳源(yuan)(yuan)大峽谷國(guo)(guo)(guo)家(jia)級(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)相鄰(lin),東面(mian)與(yu)英(ying)德(de)市沙口鎮隔北江相望,南面(mian)自(zi)西向東分別是(shi)波羅、石(shi)牯塘、英(ying)紅(hong)、沙口五鎮接壤。地(di)理坐標東經(jing)113°16′07″-113°20′18″,北緯(wei)24°23′49″-24°28′04″,總(zong)面(mian)積(ji)33555公(gong)頃(qing),平均海(hai)(hai)拔(ba)800米,高海(hai)(hai)拔(ba)1586.8米,區(qu)(qu)(qu)內年(nian)平均氣溫(wen)18℃,是(shi)一個四(si)季皆(jie)宜攀登的(de)(de)(de)優秀旅(lv)游勝地(di)。石(shi)門臺(tai)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)溫(wen)暖濕潤(run)的(de)(de)(de)環境(jing)孕育了豐富的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)(dong)植(zhi)物(wu)資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan)。據調查,石(shi)門臺(tai)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)內有高等植(zhi)物(wu)2242種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬于987屬260科(ke)。其中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)家(jia)一級(ji)的(de)(de)(de)保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物(wu)1種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),二(er)級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物(wu)23種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),茂密的(de)(de)(de)森(sen)林資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan)為(wei)野(ye)(ye)生動(dong)(dong)物(wu)提供(gong)了良好的(de)(de)(de)繁衍棲(qi)息地(di)。區(qu)(qu)(qu)內有野(ye)(ye)生脊椎動(dong)(dong)物(wu)301種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)(guo)家(jia)一級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),二(er)級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)(dong)物(wu)41種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。石(shi)門臺(tai)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)以其豐富的(de)(de)(de)野(ye)(ye)生動(dong)(dong)植(zhi)物(wu)資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan),被譽為(wei)“南嶺綠色明珠”。2002年(nian)經(jing)廣(guang)東省人(ren)(ren)民政府批準,石(shi)門臺(tai)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)管理處為(wei)副處級(ji)事業單(dan)位,核定編制21人(ren)(ren),人(ren)(ren)員經(jing)費(fei)由省財政撥款。
保護(hu)區管(guan)理處設(she)正副主(zhu)任,下設(she)綜合科(ke)(ke)、科(ke)(ke)研宣(xuan)教科(ke)(ke)、資源(yuan)可持(chi)續(xu)利用科(ke)(ke)、保護(hu)管(guan)理科(ke)(ke)等4個科(ke)(ke)室和5個保護(hu)管(guan)理站(zhan)。
石門臺自然保(bao)護區位于北回歸線(xian)北緣,處于東(dong)亞(ya)季(ji)風(feng)區的南亞(ya)熱(re)(re)帶(dai)向中區熱(re)(re)帶(dai)的氣(qi)候(hou)過渡帶(dai),屬熱(re)(re)帶(dai)季(ji)風(feng)氣(qi)候(hou)區,年平均(jun)氣(qi)溫(wen)20.8 ℃,年降雨(yu)量2364.7 毫(hao)米(主(zhu)要集(ji)中在(zai)4月),為廣大三大降雨(yu)中心之一。
石門臺(tai)自然保護區地勢起伏大(da),地形復(fu)雜(za),山峰林(lin)立,溝壑縱橫,河(he)流(liu)眾(zhong)多,4 千米以上的河(he)流(liu)有(you)18條(tiao),區內大(da)瀑布落(luo)差200米。
石門(men)臺自然(ran)(ran)保護(hu)(hu)區主要保護(hu)(hu)對(dui)象為(wei)南(nan)亞熱帶常綠闊葉林和(he)珍(zhen)稀動植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)。植(zhi)被(bei)以天(tian)(tian)然(ran)(ran)常綠闊葉林占絕對(dui)優勢,其中有大面積的原生(sheng)性森林,是(shi)廣東(dong)省(sheng)境內植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種豐富的少見的大面積天(tian)(tian)然(ran)(ran)林寶(bao)庫(ku)。
石門臺國(guo)家(jia)(jia)級(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)內(nei)(nei)物(wu)種資(zi)源(yuan)非(fei)常豐富,在(zai)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)、自(zi)然公園(yuan)內(nei)(nei)有(you)恐龍的(de)食物(wu)——國(guo)家(jia)(jia)二(er)級(ji)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)物(wu)桫(suo)欏(luo)。在(zai)該區(qu)內(nei)(nei)幾乎(hu)每個(ge)山坑的(de)溪邊(bian)水旁(pang)的(de)潮濕環境都有(you)分布,高(gao)的(de)達(da)9米多(duo);據初步調查(cha),動植(zhi)物(wu)資(zi)源(yuan)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)有(you)高(gao)等(deng)植(zhi)物(wu)2242種,其(qi)中(zhong)藥用植(zhi)物(wu)749種、觀(guan)賞植(zhi)物(wu)220種、野生水果101種,國(guo)家(jia)(jia)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)珍稀植(zhi)物(wu)有(you)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)內(nei)(nei)擁有(you)國(guo)家(jia)(jia)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)物(wu)20多(duo)種,其(qi)中(zhong)國(guo)家(jia)(jia)一級(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)的(de)有(you)伯樂樹(shu)、南方(fang)紅豆杉2種,屬于二(er)級(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)的(de)有(you)蘇鐵蕨(jue)、桫(suo)欏(luo)、黑桫(suo)欏(luo)、金(jin)毛狗(gou)、水蕨(jue)、福建柏等(deng) 20余種。
石(shi)門(men)臺國(guo)(guo)家(jia)級(ji)自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內豐富的(de)(de)森林資源,為野生動(dong)(dong)物提供了(le)良好繁(fan)衍棲(qi)息場所,據調查,保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)有(you)陸棲(qi)脊椎動(dong)(dong)物300多(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),國(guo)(guo)家(jia)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)珍稀動(dong)(dong)物有(you)50種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)(zhong)屬于一(yi)級(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)(de)有(you)瑤(yao)山鱷(e)蜥(xi)、蟒、豹、金雕和(he)黃腹角雉等5種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),二級(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)(de)有(you)短尾猴(hou)、三線閉殼龜、穿山甲和(he)白鷴等45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。昆蟲已(yi)鑒定(ding)的(de)(de)有(you)152科1044種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。還有(you)一(yi)些新種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)和(he)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)新記錄種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),如鞘翅(chi)目的(de)(de)石(shi)門(men)臺大步甲(Carabus shu shimentaiensis Deuve et Tian),蝶(die)類(lei)(lei)中(zhong)(zhong)有(you)兩個(ge)新種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(即(ji)何華灰(hui)蝶(die)Howarthia sp.及窗弄蝶(die)(Coladenia sp.),兩個(ge)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)新記錄種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),即(ji)烤彩灰(hui)蝶(die)Heliophorus kohimensis Tytler和(he)越南蘇弄蝶(die)Sovia lucasii (Mabille)。石(shi)門(men)臺自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)蝶(die)類(lei)(lei)資源非(fei)常豐富,目前已(yi)記錄的(de)(de)蝶(die)類(lei)(lei)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)有(you)358種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),我國(guo)(guo)已(yi)有(you)分(fen)布記錄的(de)(de)科在保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內均有(you)發(fa)現,是目前廣(guang)東省記錄蝴蝶(die)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)多(duo)自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)。
石(shi)門(men)臺國家(jia)級自然保護區以(yi)其(qi)豐富的動植物物種資(zi)源而成為中外科學(xue)研究(jiu)的重要基地,導致大量的專(zhuan)家(jia)、學(xue)者(zhe)蜂(feng)擁而至,對石(shi)門(men)臺進行科考研究(jiu)。
石(shi)(shi)(shi)門臺(tai)國家級自然保(bao)護區(qu)地(di)質地(di)貌復雜(za)多(duo)樣(yang),峰林(lin)峽谷千(qian)(qian)奇(qi)百(bai)(bai)怪,生態(tai)景觀奇(qi)特(te)(te)秀(xiu)麗,具(ju)有典型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)喀斯特(te)(te)地(di)貌特(te)(te)征,生態(tai)旅(lv)游資源(yuan),其豐富的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)生態(tai)旅(lv)游資源(yuan)具(ju)有較高的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)藝(yi)術、美(mei)學(xue)、觀賞、文化和科學(xue)等價值(zhi),特(te)(te)別是(shi)已規劃的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)(shi)門臺(tai)生態(tai)旅(lv)游區(qu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)雄、奇(qi)、秀(xiu)、野千(qian)(qian)姿百(bai)(bai)態(tai)自然景觀使人目不暇接,是(shi)療養度假(jia)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)好(hao)地(di)方;正在規劃中的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鹿洞生態(tai)旅(lv)游區(qu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)險、幽、奧、曠等千(qian)(qian)奇(qi)百(bai)(bai)怪的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)自然風光使人流連忘返,是(shi)理(li)想的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)生態(tai)旅(lv)游場所(suo)。在保(bao)護區(qu)東(dong)南部發現第(di)四紀的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)植(zhi)物化石(shi)(shi)(shi),舊石(shi)(shi)(shi)器時代至(zhi)新石(shi)(shi)(shi)器時代古人類(lei)遺(yi)址,對于(yu)研究古人類(lei)文化的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發展和近(jin)代生物群落的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)演變(bian)等具(ju)有重要意義源(yuan)石(shi)(shi)(shi)門臺(tai)是(shi)廣東(dong)省(sheng)內好(hao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)溯(su)溪路線(xian)。溪流淙淙,瀑布長流不息(xi),森林(lin)密(mi)布,清涼(liang)世界,是(shi)溯(su)溪、露營的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)好(hao)地(di)方。
植(zhi)被以(yi)天然常綠闊葉林占(zhan)絕對(dui)優勢,其(qi)中(zhong)有(you)大面積的原生性森林,是廣(guang)東(dong)省(sheng)境內植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)豐富的少見(jian)的大面積天然林寶庫。保(bao)護(hu)區有(you)高等(deng)植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)2242種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)藥用植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)749種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、觀(guan)賞植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)220種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、野生水果101種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),脊椎類(lei)動物(wu)(wu)301種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鳥類(lei)208種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),己鑒定的昆蟲456種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。其(qi)中(zhong)列入國家重點保(bao)護(hu)的珍稀瀕危野生動植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)有(you)68種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),如蟒、豹、黃腹角雉、白鷴(廣(guang)東(dong)省(sheng)鳥)、蘇鐵蕨(jue)、伯樂(le)樹、廣(guang)東(dong)松、福建柏等(deng)。
英德石門臺自然(ran)(ran)保護區是(shi)(shi)廣東省內貼近自然(ran)(ran)、能(neng)體(ti)現人與自然(ran)(ran)完美(mei)融合(he)的旅游景(jing)(jing)區。九(jiu)州(zhou)驛站(zhan)具特色的是(shi)(shi)天門溝景(jing)(jing)區的水(shui),一(yi)(yi)(yi)汪清泉從(cong)千米高(gao)空(kong)跌落,在(zai)(zai)山石叢林(lin)間婉轉徘徊,貫穿(chuan)九(jiu)站(zhan)一(yi)(yi)(yi)廊十個(ge)景(jing)(jing)點,在(zai)(zai)這里,整(zheng)個(ge)人都(dou)被(bei)融化(hua),與自然(ran)(ran)合(he)為一(yi)(yi)(yi)體(ti)。 將人與自然(ran)(ran)更加貼近的,是(shi)(shi)九(jiu)州(zhou)驛站(zhan)的樹(shu)屋村。 經規劃者(zhe)匠心獨運的天才設計(ji),樹(shu)屋全由原(yuan)木(mu)(mu)搭造(zao),以木(mu)(mu)樁(zhuang)為支撐,依樹(shu)而建。莽(mang)莽(mang)森林(lin)里,一(yi)(yi)(yi)座座木(mu)(mu)屋掩(yan)映其中,好似遠古時代群居(ju)(ju)人類在(zai)(zai)樹(shu)上結的巢穴。清晨早起,推(tui)窗(chuang)遠眺,滿(man)眼(yan)的蔥蘢碧(bi)翠,啾(jiu)啾(jiu)的鳥(niao)兒(er)從(cong)面前(qian)輕盈飛過,此(ci)情此(ci)景(jing)(jing),真的給人一(yi)(yi)(yi)種(zhong)反古歸林(lin)的幻覺。 在(zai)(zai)百(bai)鳥(niao)堂景(jing)(jing)區露(lu)營也許是(shi)(shi)另(ling)外一(yi)(yi)(yi)種(zhong)親近自然(ran)(ran)的體(ti)驗。百(bai)鳥(niao)堂景(jing)(jing)區位于九(jiu)州(zhou)驛站(zhan)的高(gao)處,海拔(ba)1000多米,整(zheng)個(ge)景(jing)(jing)區內覆蓋著厚厚的高(gao)山草甸,置身其中,仿佛來到了風吹草低現牛羊的北(bei)國草原(yuan)。約(yue)上三五知(zhi)己驅(qu)車前(qian)往,在(zai)(zai)草地上搭帳(zhang)而居(ju)(ju),以天為被(bei),以地做床,體(ti)驗天人合(he)一(yi)(yi)(yi)的至高(gao)境(jing)界。