保護區于1982年建立(li), 2001年6月批準為國家級自然保護區。
保(bao)護區自(zi)1982年(nian)建(jian)(jian)區以來,就已(yi)開(kai)展(zhan)以打擊偷盜(dao)獵、防(fang)止亂(luan)挖(wa)亂(luan)采(cai)的(de)巡護工(gong)作(zuo)(zuo),野外工(gong)作(zuo)(zuo)以該(gai)項活動(dong)為主(zhu)一直(zhi)開(kai)展(zhan)至1998年(nian)底,期(qi)間(jian),在1984年(nian)-1987年(nian)與世界(jie)自(zi)然保(bao)護基金會(hui)合作(zuo)(zuo)在區開(kai)展(zhan)進行了(le)大(da)熊貓(mao)、亞洲黑熊的(de)生物,生態學(xue)研究工(gong)作(zuo)(zuo);自(zi)1999年(nian)開(kai)始,保(bao)護區在省林業(ye)廳指導下,與WWF合作(zuo)(zuo),開(kai)始進行大(da)熊貓(mao)及其棲息地監測(ce)工(gong)作(zuo)(zuo),這也(ye)是中國(guo)保(bao)護區建(jian)(jian)區以來開(kai)展(zhan)野外監測(ce)工(gong)作(zuo)(zuo)。
自2000年開始,保護(hu)區(qu)納入天然林保護(hu)工(gong)(gong)程,中國保護(hu)區(qu)又開展了(le)以天然林保護(hu)為(wei)重要內容的野外巡護(hu)工(gong)(gong)作(zuo)。
2001年起,先后有德(de)國GTZ項(xiang)目(mu)、德(de)國KFW項(xiang)目(mu)、以及GEF項(xiang)目(mu)在區(qu)開(kai)展,逐(zhu)漸將以社(she)區(qu)為(wei)基礎的(de)(de)保(bao)護理念引入中國保(bao)護區(qu)的(de)(de)保(bao)護管理活動中,先后在周(zhou)邊(bian)社(she)區(qu)開(kai)展了(le)野生動物危害莊(zhuang)稼的(de)(de)監測(ce)、環境教育(yu)、社(she)區(qu)經濟情況調(diao)查、以及扶持周(zhou)邊(bian)社(she)區(qu)經濟發展等多項(xiang)社(she)區(qu)工(gong)作;為(wei)不斷提(ti)升(sheng)保(bao)護區(qu)保(bao)護管理水平。
2001年(nian)起,合作開展了野外(wai)(wai)紅外(wai)(wai)自拍(pai)相(xiang)機安放以及亞洲(zhou)黑熊生(sheng)態學(xue)研究(jiu)(該項目(mu)尚(shang)在進行),并在區開展了多(duo)期野生(sheng)動物保護管理(li)培訓班,為多(duo)個保護區培訓了一大批業務骨干(gan)。
保護區位于湖(hu)南省西部永順(shun)縣境內,地處武陵山西端(duan)。
區內常態(tai)地(di)(di)(di)貌(浸蝕(shi)(shi)流(liu)(liu)水地(di)(di)(di)貌)和巖(yan)溶地(di)(di)(di)貌同時發育,河(he)(he)流(liu)(liu)侵(qin)(qin)蝕(shi)(shi)切割強烈(lie),地(di)(di)(di)青破碎,起伏大,呈山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)、山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)原(yuan)、丘(qiu)陵、崗地(di)(di)(di)及向斜(xie)谷(gu)地(di)(di)(di)等(deng)多(duo)種(zhong)類型。水平(ping)方向由西(xi)北(bei)部砂(sha)頁巖(yan)侵(qin)(qin)蝕(shi)(shi)構造(zao)(zao)(zao)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)谷(gu)地(di)(di)(di)到中部碳酸(suan)巖(yan)溶蝕(shi)(shi)構造(zao)(zao)(zao)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)原(yuan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di),再(zai)到東南部變質巖(yan)侵(qin)(qin)蝕(shi)(shi)構造(zao)(zao)(zao)中山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di),具有嶺谷(gu)相間,平(ping)行排列和明顯的水平(ping)地(di)(di)(di)域分(fen)異規(gui)律;在垂(chui)直方向上,隨地(di)(di)(di)勢(shi)增高(gao),由現(xian)代(dai)河(he)(he)床、溪谷(gu)平(ping)原(yuan)到崗地(di)(di)(di)、丘(qiu)陵再(zai)到山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)地(di)(di)(di)山(shan)(shan)(shan)(shan)原(yuan),具有多(duo)層(ceng)性和成(cheng)層(ceng)分(fen)布(bu)的規(gui)律。
境(jing)內崇山(shan)(shan)峻嶺(ling),永龍山(shan)(shan)呈弧形雄居縣(xian)境(jing)西(xi)北(bei),人頭(tou)山(shan)(shan)蜿蜒(yan)東(dong)南,其間普岸山(shan)(shan)、萬(wan)福山(shan)(shan)、蟠龍山(shan)(shan)、四方界(jie)、羊峰(feng)山(shan)(shan)、方石(shi)巖(yan)等(deng)山(shan)(shan)脈(mo)曲繞(rao)相連(lian),組成(cheng)斜“S”型,地勢依此向東(dong)北(bei)部(bu)澧(li)水和(he)南部(bu)酉水梯級下(xia)降(jiang),構成(cheng)了(le)不對稱“鞍狀”的地貌形態。境(jing)內山(shan)(shan)巒(luan)疊嶂,溪(xi)(xi)谷縱(zong)橫(heng),最高羊峰(feng)山(shan)(shan)海(hai)(hai)拔為1437.9米(mi)(mi),最低(di)小溪(xi)(xi)鯉魚坪的明溪(xi)(xi)海(hai)(hai)拔為162.6米(mi)(mi),高低(di)相差1275.3米(mi)(mi),地勢比(bi)降(jiang)為44.6%。
保護(hu)區(qu)為深切(qie)割的中山山地,區(qu)內山巒起伏,走向復(fu)雜。地層以(yi)變(bian)質巖為主。
氣候年(nian)均(jun)溫11~12℃,無霜期較低處為250天(tian),800米以(yi)上為200天(tian);年(nian)降水量1300~1400毫米,濕(shi)度大、云霧多。
成(cheng)土母質(zhi)為砂(sha)頁(ye)巖,土壤肥(fei)力高,適宜林木生長。
魚泉溪、小岔(cha)溪貫穿(chuan)全區,匯合后流(liu)入酉水河。
總面積26347.6公(gong)頃,其(qi)中核心(xin)區(qu) 9933公(gong)頃,森林(lin)蓄積總量222.35萬(wan)立(li)方米,保護(hu)區(qu)已劃分為核心(xin)區(qu)和(he)外(wai)圍區(qu)。轄19個行政村,88個村民小組(zu),2163戶8572 人(ren),屬全球重點保護(hu)的(de)200個生(sheng)態圈之一(yi),是世(shi)界少有、中國(guo)獨有、中南十三省幸存(cun)的(de)免遭第四紀冰川侵襲的(de)低(di)海(hai)拔(ba)常綠(lv)闊(kuo)葉原始次生(sheng)林(lin)。
主要保(bao)護山(shan)地常(chang)綠(lv)闊葉(xie)林生態系(xi)統(tong)。
保護(hu)(hu)區(qu)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)1500多(duo)(duo)(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。其中木(mu)本植物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)419種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。區(qu)內(nei)交(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)通閉塞,原(yuan)生低山闊(kuo)葉(xie)林(lin)保護(hu)(hu)較好,這(zhe)在中亞熱(re)帶是難得的(de)(de)(de)(de)。常綠(lv)闊(kuo)葉(xie)林(lin)多(duo)(duo)(duo)分布(bu)在海拔(ba)400~800米(mi)(mi),溝(gou)谷以鉤(gou)栗、宜昌潤(run)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)、猴(hou)歡喜(xi)、仿栗等(deng)為主,山坡上(shang)(shang)以甜櫧、石櫟(li)、南嶺栲(kao)、銀(yin)木(mu)荷(he)、楓香為主。林(lin)內(nei)藤本植物(wu)(wu)(wu)較多(duo)(duo)(duo),大(da)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)上(shang)(shang)有(you)粗藤纏(chan)繞,為多(duo)(duo)(duo)層次(ci)、多(duo)(duo)(duo)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)混交(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)林(lin)。林(lin)相整齊(qi)。地(di)勢平緩(huan)處以馬尾松、杉(shan)(shan)木(mu)為第一(yi)(yi)林(lin)層的(de)(de)(de)(de)針闊(kuo)葉(xie)混交(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)林(lin),其中合圍(wei)大(da)的(de)(de)(de)(de)古杉(shan)(shan)木(mu)不(bu)少(shao)。植物(wu)(wu)(wu)組成(cheng)除以樟(zhang)科(ke)(ke)、山茶科(ke)(ke)、殼斗科(ke)(ke)、木(mu)蘭科(ke)(ke)為主的(de)(de)(de)(de)常綠(lv)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)外,還有(you)許多(duo)(duo)(duo)漆樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)科(ke)(ke)、槭(qi)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)科(ke)(ke)、椴樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)科(ke)(ke)、楊柳科(ke)(ke)、榆科(ke)(ke)、杜仲科(ke)(ke)、連香樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)科(ke)(ke)、茜草科(ke)(ke)、珙桐(tong)科(ke)(ke)、胡桃科(ke)(ke)和樺木(mu)科(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)(de)(de)落葉(xie)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),是湘(xiang)西青岡、湘(xiang)西石櫟(li)等(deng)21種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)模式(shi)標本的(de)(de)(de)(de)產地(di)。 國家保護(hu)(hu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)珍(zhen)稀瀕危植物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)18種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),一(yi)(yi)級(ji)(ji)有(you)珙桐(tong);二級(ji)(ji)有(you)巴東木(mu)蓮、銀(yin)杏、水青樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)、伯樂樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)、連香樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)、香果(guo)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)、杜仲、鵝掌楸;三(san)級(ji)(ji)有(you)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)木(mu)、閩(min)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)、黃(huang)杉(shan)(shan)、銀(yin)鵲樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)、領春木(mu)、白(bai)辛(xin)樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)、華榛長(chang)苞鐵杉(shan)(shan)等(deng)。區(qu)內(nei)有(you)纖維植物(wu)(wu)(wu)150多(duo)(duo)(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),油料(liao)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)120多(duo)(duo)(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),干果(guo)類(lei)100種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),香料(liao)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)100余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。長(chang)苞杉(shan)(shan)多(duo)(duo)(duo)分布(bu)在海拔(ba)900米(mi)(mi)以上(shang)(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)陡坡懸(xuan)崖之上(shang)(shang),頂風傲雪,極耐干旱貧瘠。銀(yin)鵲樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)多(duo)(duo)(duo)分布(bu)在海拔(ba)800米(mi)(mi)以下的(de)(de)(de)(de)山坡溝(gou)谷中,冠幅小(xiao)(xiao),呈塊狀分布(bu)。竹(zhu)坪村有(you)一(yi)(yi)棵大(da)銀(yin)杏,樹(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)高30米(mi)(mi),胸徑1.4米(mi)(mi)。區(qu)內(nei)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)木(mu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)特別多(duo)(duo)(duo),有(you)閩(min)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)、湘(xiang)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)、紫楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)、白(bai)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)、潤(run)楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)等(deng)16種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),故有(you)“楠(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)(nan)木(mu)之鄉”的(de)(de)(de)(de)美稱。猴(hou)歡喜(xi):杜英科(ke)(ke)。常綠(lv)喬木(mu),高達12米(mi)(mi)。葉(xie)聚生小(xiao)(xiao)枝(zhi)上(shang)(shang)部,花綠(lv)白(bai)色(se),數朵(duo)生于小(xiao)(xiao)枝(zhi)頂端或小(xiao)(xiao)枝(zhi)上(shang)(shang)部葉(xie)腋。蒴(shuo)果(guo)木(mu)質,卵球(qiu)形,密生刺毛,裂成(cheng)五或六瓣。種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)有(you)黃(huang)色(se)假(jia)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)皮。木(mu)材(cai)供板(ban)料(liao)、器具(ju)等(deng)用材(cai)。
有(you)脊椎動(dong)物(wu)208種(zhong),隸屬(shu)23目70科,昆蟲19目144科738種(zhong),有(you)天敵昆蟲9目 27科159種(zhong),其中有(you)金錢(qian)豹(bao)、云豹(bao)、白頸長(chang)尾雉(zhi)等(deng)國家(jia)一、二級(ji)保護動(dong)物(wu)36種(zhong)。國家(jia)重點保護動(dong)物(wu),一級(ji)有(you)黑麝(she)(she);二級(ji)有(you)林麝(she)(she)、虎紋蛙(wa)等(deng)。 林麝(she)(she)是(shi)麝(she)(she)屬(shu)中體(ti)(ti)型小的一種(zhong)。體(ti)(ti)長(chang)70厘米左右,肩高47厘米,體(ti)(ti)重7千克(ke)左右。雌雄(xiong)均無(wu)角;耳(er)長(chang)直立,端(duan)部(bu)稍圓。雄(xiong)麝(she)(she)上(shang)犬齒發達,向后下(xia)(xia)方彎曲,伸出(chu)唇外;腹部(bu)生殖器前有(you)麝(she)(she)香囊,尾粗(cu)短,尾脂腺發達。四肢(zhi)細長(chang),后肢(zhi)長(chang)于前肢(zhi)。體(ti)(ti)毛(mao)(mao)粗(cu)硬色(se)(se)(se)深,呈橄欖褐色(se)(se)(se),并染以橘紅(hong)色(se)(se)(se)。下(xia)(xia)頜、喉部(bu)、頸下(xia)(xia)以至前胸間為界限分明的白色(se)(se)(se)或橘黃色(se)(se)(se)區。臀部(bu)毛(mao)(mao)色(se)(se)(se)近(jin)黑色(se)(se)(se),成(cheng)體(ti)(ti)不具斑點。有(you)人認為它(ta)是(shi)原麝(she)(she)的一個(ge)亞種(zhong)。
生(sheng)活在(zai)針葉(xie)林、針闊混交林區。性情(qing)膽怯。過獨居(ju)生(sheng)活;嗅覺靈敏,行動輕快敏捷。隨氣候和飼(si)料(liao)的變化垂(chui)直遷移。食物多(duo)以灌木嫩(nen)枝(zhi)葉(xie)為主。發(fa)情(qing)交配多(duo)在(zai)11~12月(yue)份,在(zai)此(ci)期間,雌雄合群(qun),雄性間發(fa)生(sheng)激烈的爭偶毆斗。孕期6個月(yue),每(mei)胎(tai)1~3仔。國內已有養(yang)殖(zhi),雄麝所產麝香是名貴的中(zhong)藥材和高級(ji)香料(liao)。
小溪(xi)國(guo)家(jia)級(ji)自然(ran)保護區具有很高的科學研究(jiu)價值,被權(quan)威專家(jia)學者考察論證為中南十(shi)三(san)省免遭第四(si)紀(ji)冰川(chuan)侵襲(xi)的原始次生(sheng)林(lin)(lin)天然(ran)資源寶庫。景(jing)區是(shi)以原始次生(sheng)林(lin)(lin)、峽谷(gu)、峰(feng)林(lin)(lin)地貌景(jing)觀為特色的生(sheng)態旅(lv)游(you)區,區內林(lin)(lin)海浩渺(miao),樹木蔥郁,森林(lin)(lin)覆蓋率達(da)到92.5%,負氧(yang)離子(zi)濃度高,空(kong)氣清(qing)新,環境宜人(ren)。林(lin)(lin)海縫隙中險(xian)峽深(shen)澗,飛瀑(pu)流泉,奇峰(feng)拔(ba)地,鳥鳴猿(yuan)啼(ti),間或偶現一兩棟土(tu)家(jia)木樓,雞鳴犬吠,民(min)風淳樸(pu)。小溪(xi)生(sheng)態旅(lv)游(you)景(jing)區自然(ran)人(ren)文風光原始古樸(pu),是(shi)理想的休閑度假、探(tan)險(xian)旅(lv)游(you)勝地。