1981年7月,車(che)八(ba)嶺(ling)自然保(bao)護區始建(jian)。
1988年5月(yue)9日,經國務院批(pi)準晉升為國家級(ji)自然(ran)保(bao)護區。
1995年9月,加入(ru)中(zhong)國“人(ren)與(yu)生物圈保護區”網絡(luo)。
1995年,加入(ru)“中國生(sheng)物圈(quan)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)網絡”,被廣東省省委授(shou)予“環(huan)境教育基(ji)地”,暨南大學(xue)生(sheng)命(ming)科(ke)學(xue)學(xue)院(yuan)將車(che)八(ba)嶺保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)列為教學(xue)實習基(ji)地。
2004年,廣東(dong)省(sheng)科技廳(ting)、省(sheng)委宣傳部、省(sheng)教育廳(ting)、省(sheng)旅(lv)游局、省(sheng)科協(xie)聯合(he)發(fa)文(wen)命(ming)名(ming)為(wei)“廣東(dong)省(sheng)青少年科技教育基地”。
2005年12月,被中國(guo)生(sheng)物(wu)多樣性保護(hu)基金會(hui)(hui)專家(jia)委員(yuan)會(hui)(hui)評選為“中國(guo)生(sheng)物(wu)多樣性保護(hu)示范基地”。
2006年,被評(ping)選為“廣東最美(mei)的自然(ran)生態(tai)鄉村(cun)”。
車八嶺國家級自然保護(hu)區位于(yu)廣東省韶關市(shi)始興縣東南部,距(ju)(ju)縣城46公里,距(ju)(ju)韶關市(shi)100多(duo)公里,距(ju)(ju)廣州市(shi)300多(duo)公里。地理(li)位置為東經(jing)114°09′04″~114°16′46″,北緯(wei)24°40′29″~24°46′21″。
保護區屬亞熱帶濕潤(run)型(xing)季風氣(qi)(qi)候,夏熱冬涼,冬季偶有雪(xue)飄(只限在坪石(shi)金雞嶺的高(gao)處),年(nian)平均氣(qi)(qi)溫(wen)約(yue)20度,一月(yue)平均氣(qi)(qi)溫(wen)約(yue)10度,七月(yue)約(yue)29度,溫(wen)暖(nuan)的亞熱帶氣(qi)(qi)候和充沛的雨量使四(si)季常青,全年(nian)都(dou)很適(shi)宜旅(lv)游,但最佳的旅(lv)游時間為春(3月(yue)至5月(yue))秋(10月(yue)至12月(yue))兩季。
保護區大地(di)構造(zao)上(shang)屬華南褶皺(zhou)系(xi)(xi)。地(di)勢西(xi)北(bei)高東(dong)南低(di),最高峰天平架海撥1256m,最低(di)處樟棟(dong)水330m。在西(xi)北(bei)部(bu)(bu)為寒武系(xi)(xi)、奧陶(tao)系(xi)(xi)地(di)層,經褶皺(zhou)斷裂(lie),形成東(dong)北(bei)—西(xi)南走(zou)向(xiang)的變質砂頁巖(yan)(yan)中山,山高谷深坡陡。中部(bu)(bu)和南部(bu)(bu)為寒武系(xi)(xi)地(di)層,形成南北(bei)走(zou)向(xiang)的變質砂頁巖(yan)(yan)低(di)山。北(bei)部(bu)(bu)和中部(bu)(bu)為侏羅世火山巖(yan)(yan)侵入,形成南北(bei)走(zou)向(xiang)的中性(xing)(xing)和中酸性(xing)(xing)的火山巖(yan)(yan)低(di)山。新構造(zao)運(yun)動有(you)間歇性(xing)(xing)上(shang)升,殘留(liu)1000-1100m,800-900m和500-600m三級夷平面,部(bu)(bu)分地(di)區可(ke)見二級階地(di)。
地(di)質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地(di)貌(mao)影響環境因素。自然保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)東北走向的(de)(de)(de)中山(shan),可(ke)作為寒潮入侵(qin)的(de)(de)(de)屏障(zhang),南(nan)北走向的(de)(de)(de)低山(shan),有利(li)于濕(shi)潤的(de)(de)(de)東南(nan)季風進入;變質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)砂巖風化強烈,斷(duan)層破碎,節(jie)理(li)發達(da),流水容易下滲,成為水源(yuan)涵養的(de)(de)(de)理(li)想林區(qu)(qu)(qu)。這一地(di)質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地(di)貌(mao)構成微區(qu)(qu)(qu)氣候、水熱條件、土壤(rang)性質(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)有利(li)于物(wu)種繁(fan)衍,加上第四紀以來未受(shou)冰川影響,動植(zhi)物(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)保存比較完好(hao),為自然保護(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)創(chuang)造了(le)優(you)良的(de)(de)(de)森(sen)林生態環境。
車八(ba)嶺國(guo)家(jia)級自然保護區,東與(yu)江西省全南(nan)縣(xian)交界,南(nan)連始(shi)興(xing)縣(xian)司前鎮,西鄰始(shi)興(xing)縣(xian)劉張家(jia)山國(guo)營林場(chang),北接(jie)始(shi)興(xing)縣(xian)羅(luo)壩鎮,總面積16110.7公頃。
車(che)八嶺國(guo)家級自然保護區(qu)屬生物圈(quan)保護區(qu)。主(zhu)要保護對象為中亞(ya)熱(re)帶(dai)常(chang)綠(lv)闊(kuo)葉林及珍稀(xi)動植物,是中國(guo)綜合自然保護區(qu)之一。
車八嶺(ling)的(de)(de)(de)地(di)帶性植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)被(bei)(bei)為中(zhong)亞(ya)熱帶典型(xing)常綠(lv)闊葉(xie)林,起源古(gu)老,保(bao)(bao)存(cun)(cun)有(you)不(bu)(bu)少古(gu)代殘遺植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)。在(zai)(zai)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)系(xi)上屬(shu)(shu)(shu)南亞(ya)熱帶過(guo)渡的(de)(de)(de)區(qu)系(xi)類(lei)(lei)(lei)型(xing),為華南植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)亞(ya)區(qu)系(xi)的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)部分,植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)繁多。由于(yu)森林植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)被(bei)(bei)保(bao)(bao)存(cun)(cun)完好,在(zai)(zai)茫茫林海里,蘊藏著豐富(fu)的(de)(de)(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)資(zi)源,其種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)約有(you)2000種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬(shu)(shu)(shu)于(yu)925屬(shu)(shu)(shu),290科。食用植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)40多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),藥(yao)用植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)526種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),果類(lei)(lei)(lei)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)83種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),觀(guan)賞植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)215種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),淀粉植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)54種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),油脂植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)187種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),飼(si)料(liao)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)64種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鞣類(lei)(lei)(lei)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)67種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),用材樹種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)共有(you)236種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。同時,車八嶺(ling)擁(yong)有(you)14種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)珍(zhen)稀(xi)瀕危(wei)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu),占廣東(dong)(dong)省珍(zhen)稀(xi)瀕危(wei)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)總數17.9%,其中(zhong)國家(jia)2級(ji)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),國家(jia)3級(ji)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)有(you)8種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),廣東(dong)(dong)省一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)級(ji)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)2種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。在(zai)(zai)這(zhe)些植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)中(zhong),區(qu)內(nei)(nei)國家(jia)重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)伯樂(le)樹、傘花(hua)木(mu)、紅椿、花(hua)櫚木(mu)、樟樹、任豆(dou)、閩楠、金毛狗(gou)、黑(hei)桫(suo)欏(luo)9種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);珍(zhen)稀(xi)瀕危(wei)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)白桂木(mu)、觀(guan)光木(mu)、舌(she)柱麻、青檀、巴(ba)戟(ji)、伯樂(le)樹、傘花(hua)木(mu)、紅椿、野茶樹、任豆(dou)、閩楠11種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong);省重(zhong)(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)三(san)尖杉和秀(xiu)麗栲2種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。以“史(shi)前遺者”著稱的(de)(de)(de)觀(guan)光木(mu)、以“活(huo)化石”聞名的(de)(de)(de)三(san)尖杉在(zai)(zai)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)內(nei)(nei)均(jun)得到大(da)量保(bao)(bao)存(cun)(cun)。此外,還保(bao)(bao)存(cun)(cun)有(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)棵樹齡200多年,屬(shu)(shu)(shu)廣東(dong)(dong)省內(nei)(nei)大(da)老、三(san)人(ren)合抱(bao)不(bu)(bu)過(guo)的(de)(de)(de)“廣東(dong)(dong)杉樹王”,還有(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)棵300年歷史(shi)的(de)(de)(de)巨型(xing)板狀根(gen)。
脊椎(zhui)動物(wu)(wu)與昆(kun)蟲綱動物(wu)(wu)共有(you)(you)1552種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬于969屬,253種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),包(bao)括(kuo)有(you)(you)獸(shou)(shou)(shou)類(lei)(lei)(lei)、鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)、爬行(xing)類(lei)(lei)(lei)、兩(liang)(liang)棲類(lei)(lei)(lei)、魚類(lei)(lei)(lei)、昆(kun)蟲類(lei)(lei)(lei)。其中(zhong)(zhong)獸(shou)(shou)(shou)類(lei)(lei)(lei)38種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)217種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),爬行(xing)類(lei)(lei)(lei)36種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),兩(liang)(liang)棲類(lei)(lei)(lei)16種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),魚類(lei)(lei)(lei)25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),昆(kun)蟲1220種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)和(he)數量均在廣(guang)東省(sheng)(sheng)省(sheng)(sheng)級(ji)(ji)自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)前列(lie),是研究鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)理想的(de)“實驗室”。昆(kun)蟲類(lei)(lei)(lei)中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)蝴蝶也是名目繁多。在保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內,擁有(you)(you)34種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)珍稀(xi)(xi)瀕危(wei)動物(wu)(wu),其中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)家(jia)一(yi)級(ji)(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)獸(shou)(shou)(shou)類(lei)(lei)(lei)有(you)(you)華南(nan)(nan)虎(hu)(Panthera tigris amoyensis)、豹(Panthera pardus)、云豹(Neofelis nebulosa)、黑(hei)(hei)麂4種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(Muntiacus crinifrons);國(guo)家(jia)二(er)級(ji)(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)獸(shou)(shou)(shou)類(lei)(lei)(lei)有(you)(you)穿山(shan)(shan)甲(jia)、水獺、斑林貍、小靈貓、金(jin)貓、水鹿、蘇(su)門羚(ling)、斑羚(ling)8種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)42科223種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)家(jia)一(yi)級(ji)(ji)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)有(you)(you)黃腹(fu)角雉(zhi)(Tragopan caboti),國(guo)家(jia)二(er)級(ji)(ji)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)有(you)(you)海南(nan)(nan)虎(hu)斑鳽、鴛鴦、黑(hei)(hei)翅鳶、黑(hei)(hei)冠鵑(juan)隼、鳶、赤(chi)腹(fu)鷹、鳳頭鷹等(deng)32種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)占鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)總數的(de)16%。此外,列(lie)入國(guo)家(jia)二(er)級(ji)(ji)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)兩(liang)(liang)棲類(lei)(lei)(lei)動物(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)虎(hu)紋蛙(wa)1種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。動物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)(lei)也很(hen)豐富,脊椎(zhui)動物(wu)(wu)與昆(kun)蟲綱動物(wu)(wu)共有(you)(you)1552種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)(zhong)獸(shou)(shou)(shou)類(lei)(lei)(lei)38種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao)類(lei)(lei)(lei)217種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),爬行(xing)類(lei)(lei)(lei)36種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),兩(liang)(liang)棲類(lei)(lei)(lei)16種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),魚類(lei)(lei)(lei)25種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),昆(kun)蟲1220種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。有(you)(you)34種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)珍稀(xi)(xi)瀕危(wei)動物(wu)(wu),如華南(nan)(nan)虎(hu)、黃腹(fu)雉(zhi)、海南(nan)(nan)虎(hu)斑(升鳥(niao)(niao)(niao)(niao))、穿山(shan)(shan)甲(jia)、蘇(su)門羚(ling)、白腹(fu)山(shan)(shan)雕、白鷴和(he)虎(hu)紋蛙(wa)等(deng)。
為(wei)促進生物(wu)(wu)圈保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)概念的(de)實(shi)(shi)施,在(zai)社區(qu)(qu)共管(guan)的(de)基礎上成立了(le)車八嶺世界生物(wu)(wu)圈保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)聯合(he)(he)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)委(wei)員(yuan)會(hui)(hui),由保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)管(guan)理機構及所在(zai)地縣、鄉鎮政(zheng)府和(he)有(you)關單(dan)位(wei)及村(cun)、場等有(you)關單(dan)位(wei)代(dai)表(biao)組成,制(zhi)定了(le)一套《廣東(dong)車八嶺世界生物(wu)(wu)圈保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)聯合(he)(he)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)委(wei)員(yuan)會(hui)(hui)章(zhang)程》和(he)《廣東(dong)車八嶺世界生物(wu)(wu)圈保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)聯合(he)(he)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)公約》,協(xie)調保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)與所在(zai)區(qu)(qu)域、保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)管(guan)理部門與不同利(li)(li)益相關者之(zhi)間的(de)利(li)(li)益,統(tong)籌自然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)、生態(tai)建設(she)和(he)社會(hui)(hui)經濟(ji)發展,使得聯合(he)(he)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)工作在(zai)法(fa)律、法(fa)規(gui)及規(gui)章(zhang)制(zhi)度的(de)框(kuang)架下得以規(gui)范化、制(zhi)度化實(shi)(shi)施。
車(che)八(ba)嶺自然(ran)博物館(guan)于(yu)1991年籌建,1995年竣工,是一座規模宏大,設計新穎,獨具特色的(de)園(yuan)林(lin)建筑(zhu),整幢(chuang)大樓占地面積(ji)2279.2m2,建筑(zhu)面積(ji)3474.62m2。主(zhu)樓四(si)層(ceng),每層(ceng)展(zhan)廳(ting)面積(ji)253.55m2。分(fen)為圖(tu)文資(zi)料、植(zhi)物、兩(liang)棲爬(pa)行動(dong)物展(zhan)廳(ting),昆蟲(chong)展(zhan)廳(ting),獸(shou)類展(zhan)廳(ting)和鳥類展(zhan)廳(ting)。自然(ran)博物館(guan)收集了有關圖(tu)片、圖(tu)表、圖(tu)書等學(xue)術資(zi)料2000多份,植(zhi)物臘葉標本(ben)2萬多份,其中高(gao)等植(zhi)物18000多份,各類動(dong)物標本(ben)11000多份。
車八嶺保護區(qu)有(you)野生(sheng)植(zhi)物1928種,其中國家Ⅰ級(ji)重點(dian)保護的(de)植(zhi)物有(you)伯樂樹;國家Ⅱ級(ji)重點(dian)保護的(de)有(you)傘花木、閩楠、樟(zhang)樹、野大豆、紅椿(chun)、觀光木等(deng)11種。車八嶺保護區(qu)以(yi)其獨特的(de)中亞(ya)熱帶(dai)森林生(sheng)態景觀以(yi)及(ji)不可替代(dai)的(de)生(sheng)物多(duo)樣性,在國內外享有(you)盛譽(yu)。
車八嶺保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)利用保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)豐富的(de)(de)自然(ran)資源(yuan)優勢,在開展(zhan)科(ke)普教育的(de)(de)同(tong)時(shi),積(ji)極開展(zhan)生態(tai)旅游(you),廣大師(shi)生來到保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)進(jin)行科(ke)學(xue)研究(jiu)、學(xue)術交流、教學(xue)實習、開展(zhan)科(ke)普活(huo)動的(de)(de)同(tong)時(shi),還(huan)可以(yi)進(jin)行原始森林探險(xian),體驗人與自然(ran)和諧關(guan)系(xi)。
車八嶺(ling)自然保護區森林茂密,溪流縱橫,樟(zhang)棟水(shui)河貫穿整個保護區,水(shui)急魚(yu)美,河水(shui)清(qing)澈(che)見底(di),兩岸綠(lv)樹掩映,每年5-11月氣溫都在20℃以(yi)上,適宜漂流。
南水(shui)水(shui)庫(ku)是(shi)廣東省第二大人工湖(hu),湖(hu)面寬達(da)38平方公里(li),是(shi)省級風(feng)景名勝(sheng)區。南水(shui)湖(hu)水(shui)質(zhi)晶瑩(ying)透碧,沿岸青山連綿,瑤寨竹木樓掩映在綠(lv)樹(shu)叢中(zhong)。在水(shui)庫(ku)西北一個面積萬畝的半島上,建有中(zhong)國(guo)南方第一個狩(shou)獵場。
韓瀧(long)(long)祠位(wei)于(yu)九瀧(long)(long)之(zhi)首,始建(jian)于(yu)漢(han),為紀(ji)念(nian)伏波大(da)將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)馬援平南越(yue)而建(jian),故曰將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)廟(miao)(miao)。爾(er)后桂陽太守周(zhou)昕開(kai)鑿瀧(long)(long)水(shui),整(zheng)治河道有功,鄉民(min)為之(zhi)紀(ji)念(nian)而改(gai)為周(zhou)府君廟(miao)(miao)。
車八嶺國(guo)(guo)家級自然(ran)保護區地(di)(di)處亞熱帶(dai)季(ji)風氣候區,屬(shu)南(nan)亞熱帶(dai)與中亞熱帶(dai)的過渡(du)地(di)(di)帶(dai),是(shi)南(nan)嶺南(nan)緣保存較完(wan)整(zheng)、面積較大、分布較集(ji)中、原生性較強、中國(guo)(guo)特有(you)的原始季(ji)雨林區,也是(shi)全球同緯度地(di)(di)區森林植被的典型代表,被許多外國(guo)(guo)專家學者(zhe)贊(zan)譽為北回歸線荒漠帶(dai)上的綠洲(zhou),在(zai)生物(wu)進化史(shi)上具有(you)特殊的地(di)(di)位和作用(yong)。
車(che)八嶺自然(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區在生(sheng)物種(zhong)源保(bao)護(hu)、學術(shu)研究(jiu)上(shang)具有很高的(de)價(jia)(jia)值(zhi),尤(you)其(qi)在生(sheng)態(tai)系統(tong)(tong)和(he)環境演變規(gui)律(lv)、南亞熱帶(dai)向中亞熱帶(dai)過渡的(de)森林(lin)生(sheng)態(tai)系統(tong)(tong)等領域的(de)科(ke)研價(jia)(jia)值(zhi)十(shi)分顯著。其(qi)豐富(fu)、獨特的(de)自然(ran)資源,為科(ke)學研究(jiu)和(he)宣傳(chuan)教育提供了(le)理想的(de)場所,自然(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區已被命名為“廣東省環境教育基(ji)地”。