1998年12月,由廣東省人民政府批準建立象頭(tou)山省級自然保(bao)護區(qu)。
2002年(nian)7月2日晉升為國家級自然(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區。
廣東象頭山國(guo)家級(ji)自然(ran)保護(hu)區(qu)位于惠(hui)州(zhou)市(shi)北部,博羅縣境(jing)內,距惠(hui)州(zhou)市(shi)區(qu)18公里(li),緊貼(tie)北回歸線。總面(mian)積(ji)為(wei)(wei)(wei)10696.9公頃,其(qi)中核心(xin)區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)為(wei)(wei)(wei)3635.6公頃,占總面(mian)積(ji)34%,森林覆蓋率88.4%;緩(huan)沖區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)為(wei)(wei)(wei)3996.6公頃,實驗區(qu)面(mian)積(ji)為(wei)(wei)(wei)3064.7公頃。
廣東象(xiang)頭山(shan)(shan)國家(jia)級自然(ran)保護區(qu)位于(yu)博羅(luo)縣中部的象(xiang)頭山(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)區(qu),為(wei)山(shan)(shan)地(di)林區(qu)景觀,主要為(wei)低(di)山(shan)(shan)丘(qiu)(qiu)陵(ling)地(di)貌(mao)。其中大(da)部分為(wei)海拔400—800m的山(shan)(shan)地(di)及深切峽谷,僅在邊緣(yuan)地(di)帶(dai)有海拔400m以(yi)下的丘(qiu)(qiu)陵(ling)。本區(qu)雖然(ran)為(wei)低(di)山(shan)(shan)丘(qiu)(qiu)陵(ling),但由(you)于(yu)屬新構造運(yun)動上升區(qu),山(shan)(shan)勢陡峻,溝谷深切,地(di)勢險要,地(di)形(xing)(xing)(xing)比降極大(da),與(yu)周(zhou)圍的低(di)山(shan)(shan)平原(yuan)地(di)貌(mao)形(xing)(xing)(xing)成(cheng)極大(da)的反(fan)差。從(cong)高點蟹眼頂到東部相鄰的泰(tai)美老圩低(di)點,相對高差1000m以(yi)上,地(di)形(xing)(xing)(xing)比降達9.2%,是博羅(luo)縣境內地(di)形(xing)(xing)(xing)比降大(da)之處(chu)。
該區地表(biao)水(shui)文屬東(dong)(dong)江流(liu)(liu)(liu)域(yu)。地表(biao)水(shui)以河(he)流(liu)(liu)(liu)、水(shui)庫、山塘等形式分(fen)布,流(liu)(liu)(liu)向東(dong)(dong)或東(dong)(dong)南方向。河(he)網密度為(wei)(wei)1.3~2.1km。河(he)流(liu)(liu)(liu)流(liu)(liu)(liu)量變化與季節變化相關,4~9月為(wei)(wei)豐水(shui)期(qi),10~3月為(wei)(wei)枯水(shui)期(qi)。區內有(you)大小(xiao)溪流(liu)(liu)(liu)40多條,大小(xiao)水(shui)庫10座。
該區屬典型亞熱帶濕潤季(ji)(ji)風(feng)氣(qi)候,具有(you)光照充(chong)足、熱量豐富、降(jiang)水充(chong)沛、空(kong)氣(qi)濕潤,分干濕兩季(ji)(ji),干季(ji)(ji)短、濕季(ji)(ji)長(chang),植物生(sheng)長(chang)期(qi)(qi)長(chang)、無(wu)霜(shuang)(shuang)期(qi)(qi)長(chang),風(feng)向隨季(ji)(ji)節改變(bian),氣(qi)候垂直變(bian)化差異大,山(shan)(shan)上山(shan)(shan)下十里不同天等(deng)特點。區內年(nian)(nian)(nian)平(ping)均氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)16.0—21.7℃;1月(yue)或(huo)2月(yue)最(zui)冷,月(yue)平(ping)均氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)7.2—13.3℃;8月(yue)最(zui)熱,月(yue)平(ping)均氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)22.5—27.2℃;極(ji)端最(zui)低氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)-6.6℃(濟公田,1985年(nian)(nian)(nian)12月(yue)11日);極(ji)端最(zui)高氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)35.1℃(管理局,1985年(nian)(nian)(nian)6月(yue)22日)。無(wu)霜(shuang)(shuang)期(qi)(qi)365天,山(shan)(shan)下生(sheng)長(chang)期(qi)(qi)365天,山(shan)(shan)上生(sheng)長(chang)期(qi)(qi)345天。區內年(nian)(nian)(nian)降(jiang)水量2318.5mm,年(nian)(nian)(nian)際(ji)變(bian)化大,最(zui)多的年(nian)(nian)(nian)份(fen)(fen)3516mm,最(zui)少的年(nian)(nian)(nian)份(fen)(fen)1012mm。多年(nian)(nian)(nian)平(ping)均空(kong)氣(qi)相對濕度(du)80%。總(zong)之,區內舒適(shi)期(qi)(qi)長(chang),氣(qi)候舒適(shi)宜人。
保護區(qu)內有維管植物(未調查苔蘚植物)1647種(zhong)(包括該(gai)地長期引(yin)種(zhong),生長良好的92個(ge)栽(zai)培種(zhong))。其中(zhong)蕨類植物36科63屬113種(zhong);裸(luo)子植物9科11屬14種(zhong)(天(tian)然(ran)分(fen)布為5科5屬7種(zhong));被(bei)子植物172科696屬1520種(zhong)(天(tian)然(ran)分(fen)布161科607屬1432種(zhong))。
保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區內珍稀瀕危物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)繁多(duo),如(ru)格(ge)木(mu)(mu)、半楓(feng)荷、黑桫(suo)欏等(deng)10種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)被(bei)列(lie)入(ru)1999年公布《國(guo)家重點保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)植物(wu)名錄(lu)》(第一批)。另(ling)有(you)(you)(you)觀光木(mu)(mu)、毛茶等(deng)11種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)列(lie)入(ru)《《中國(guo)珍稀瀕危保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)植物(wu)名錄(lu)(第一冊)》。兩文件所規定(ding)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),除去重復種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),該地共有(you)(you)(you)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)植物(wu)16種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong):包括穗花杉、格(ge)木(mu)(mu)、華南(nan)栲、半楓(feng)荷、白(bai)木(mu)(mu)香(xiang)、粘木(mu)(mu)、巴戟天(tian)、長葉竹(zhu)柏、觀光木(mu)(mu)、白(bai)桂木(mu)(mu)、毛茶、黑桫(suo)欏、金毛狗、蘇鐵蕨、樟、紅(hong)椿(chun)。保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區內還蘊藏有(you)(you)(you)豐富的(de)蘭科植物(wu),據(ju)不完(wan)全(quan)統(tong)計,共有(you)(you)(you)45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
保(bao)護區也是華南地區特有(you)(you)物(wu)種(zhong)的集(ji)中分布區,約有(you)(you)360余種(zhong)華南地區的特有(you)(you)植物(wu),如廣東(dong)潤(run)楠、廣州追果藤、廣東(dong)刺冬、兩(liang)廣梭羅樹、小果石筆木(mu)、紅花荷(he)(he)、半楓荷(he)(he)、華南栲、華南青皮木(mu)、光葉紅豆、廣東(dong)烏飯樹、廣東(dong)山龍眼(yan)、毛茶等。
自然保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)共(gong)有(you)(you)陸生(sheng)(sheng)脊(ji)椎野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),隸屬4綱23目75科(ke),野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動植物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)多樣性豐富(fu);305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類中,東(dong)洋界種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類、古北(bei)界種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類和廣布種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)數分別為224種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)和36種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),分別占(zhan)了73.44%、14.75%和11.80%;保(bao)護(hu)(hu)區(qu)內(nei)共(gong)有(you)(you)34種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)(guo)家重點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)(hu)動物(wu)(wu),占(zhan)305種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)的11.15%,占(zhan)廣東(dong)省國(guo)(guo)家重點(dian)保(bao)護(hu)(hu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)115種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的29.57%,其中國(guo)(guo)家Ⅰ級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)(hu)動物(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)云豹和蟒(mang)蛇,Ⅱ級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)(hu)動物(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)虎紋蛙、三線閉殼龜、鳶、雀鷹(ying)、蒼鷹(ying)、赤腹鷹(ying)、風頭鷹(ying)、褐耳鷹(ying)、松雀鷹(ying)、鳳頭鵑(juan)隼(sun)、普通鵟、紅隼(sun)、燕隼(sun)、游隼(sun)、白鷴、綠皇(huang)鳩(jiu)、褐翅鴉鵑(juan)、小鴉鵑(juan)、草(cao)鸮(xiao)、栗鸮(xiao)、斑頭鵂(xiu)鹠、領鵂(xiu)鹠、鷹(ying)鸮(xiao)、紅角(jiao)鸮(xiao)、領角(jiao)鸮(xiao)、雕鸮(xiao)、穿山甲、青鼬(you)、小靈(ling)(ling)貓、大靈(ling)(ling)貓、水獺和蘇門羚等32種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。珍稀動物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類較多,區(qu)內(nei)共(gong)有(you)(you)210種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)屬“國(guo)(guo)家保(bao)護(hu)(hu)的有(you)(you)益(yi)的或(huo)者有(you)(you)重要經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)、科(ke)學研究價值的陸生(sheng)(sheng)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)”,經(jing)(jing)濟(ji)動物(wu)(wu)資(zi)源豐富(fu)。另有(you)(you)魚類72種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
①保護區(qu)內各種(zhong)類(lei)型的(de)植(zhi)物(wu)群落,特別是低(di)山(shan)和溝谷(gu)地(di)區(qu)的(de)南(nan)亞熱帶常綠季(ji)雨林(lin)以(yi)及山(shan)地(di)亞熱帶常綠闊葉林(lin)。這兩類(lei)森林(lin)為(wei)該地(di)相對(dui)穩定的(de)生態系統,所(suo)以(yi)要嚴加保護,不準砍伐和挖(wa)取任(ren)何植(zhi)物(wu),不準狩獵。
②保護珍稀瀕危植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)。依據國(guo)家有(you)關文件規定,該區有(you)保護植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)五(wu)十多種,即(ji)黑桫欏、金毛狗、蘇鐵(tie)蕨、格木(mu)、半楓荷(he)、白(bai)木(mu)香、粘木(mu)、巴戟天、長葉竹(zhu)柏(bo)、華南(nan)栲、觀光木(mu)、樟、紅椿等以(yi)及蘭(lan)科植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(40余種)。
③特(te)有植物本地(di)以及分布于該(gai)地(di)的廣(guang)(guang)東省特(te)有植物共(gong)19種(zhong),即(ji)僅在該(gai)區發現(xian)的新種(zhong)(或品種(zhong))三種(zhong):博羅(luo)紅豆(dou)(Ormosia boluoensis)、小金(jin)冬(dong)青(Ilex Xiajinensis)、光果金(jin)櫻子(Rosalaevigata var.leiocarpus);另有廣(guang)(guang)東特(te)有種(zhong):廣(guang)(guang)東潤蘭(lan)(Machilus Kuangtungensis)、禿小耳柃(Enrya disticha)、長(chang)柄石筆(bi)木(mu)(mu)(Tutcheria greeniae)、羅(luo)浮桫(suo)欏(luo)樹(Reevesia lofouensis)、長(chang)柄桫(suo)欏(luo)樹(Reevesia longipetiolata)、羅(luo)浮蘋婆(Sterculia subnobilis)、鼎湖(hu)血桐(Maiaranga sampsoni)光葉紅豆(dou)(Ormosia glaberrima)、廣(guang)(guang)東烏飯樹(Vaccinium hancockiae)、羅(luo)浮粗葉木(mu)(mu)(Lasianthus fordii)、廣(guang)(guang)東玉葉金(jin)花(Mussaenda kwangtungensis)、楊葉風毛菊(Saussurea populia)、廣(guang)(guang)東石斗蘭(lan)(Bulbophyllum kwangtungense)、廣(guang)(guang)東畫眉(mei)草(Eragrostis nevinii)、廣(guang)(guang)東山龍眼(Helicia kwangtungensis)、羅(luo)浮路蕨(Mecodium lofoushanense)。
④自然環境(jing)生(sheng)態系(xi)統(tong)是在(zai)一定的時間和空間內,生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)和非生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)的成分(fen)之間,通過不斷的物(wu)(wu)質循環和能量(liang)流動而相(xiang)互作用,互相(xiang)依存(cun)的統(tong)一整體。因(yin)此單純(chun)保(bao)護植物(wu)(wu)和其(qi)組成群落是不科學的,也是不可能保(bao)護好的,必須將其(qi)生(sheng)存(cun)環境(jing)嚴加保(bao)護。
①野生(sheng)動(dong)物(wu)保護(hu)(hu)規劃應遵循的(de)(de)原則是:"加強資源保護(hu)(hu)、積極馴養繁殖,合理開發利用",對(dui)珍稀瀕危動(dong)物(wu)及其生(sheng)境(jing)采取(qu)有效的(de)(de)保護(hu)(hu)工程,使(shi)珍惜保護(hu)(hu)動(dong)物(wu)種群(qun)得(de)以恢復和(he)(he)擴大,促進自然保護(hu)(hu)區的(de)(de)科學管理和(he)(he)可持續發展。
②根據(ju)野生動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)資(zi)源調查結果、保(bao)護(hu)區的(de)(de)功能分區和珍(zhen)稀(xi)瀕危動(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)的(de)(de)重要分布(bu)區域,確定保(bao)護(hu)區需絕對保(bao)護(hu)的(de)(de)范(fan)圍(wei)為核(he)心區,其(qi)余地區為一(yi)(yi)般(ban)性保(bao)護(hu)區域,并(bing)在一(yi)(yi)般(ban)性保(bao)護(hu)區域加強保(bao)護(hu)宣傳。
廣東(dong)象(xiang)頭山國家(jia)級自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)局(ju)負責象(xiang)頭山自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)的具體管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)工作,由廣東(dong)省林業(ye)局(ju)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)。保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)局(ju)下設(she)4個科(ke)(ke)室,即辦(ban)公室、保(bao)(bao)護(hu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)科(ke)(ke)、科(ke)(ke)研(yan)宣(xuan)教科(ke)(ke)、資(zi)源可持續利用科(ke)(ke);以(yi)及6個保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan),分(fen)別是(shi)良田保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、甲(jia)子前保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、磨盤底(di)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、上嶂保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)、平安保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)及小(xiao)坑保(bao)(bao)護(hu)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)。日常運作方面,實(shi)行保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)局(ju)-分(fen)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)科(ke)(ke)室-保(bao)(bao)護(hu)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)站(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)三級管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)理(li)體制(zhi)。
該保(bao)護區常綠闊葉林中有10個(ge)(ge)群系、若干個(ge)(ge)群叢,植物(wu)種(zhong)類非常豐富。這種(zhong)較(jiao)完整的地帶性森林植被,是全世界生物(wu)多樣性保(bao)護的核心。象(xiang)頭山(shan)自然保(bao)護區又是廣東(dong)(dong)省東(dong)(dong)江上游多條(tiao)支流的發(fa)源(yuan)地,東(dong)(dong)江擔任著深圳、東(dong)(dong)莞等重要城市(shi)的供水(shui)任務,所(suo)以保(bao)護象(xiang)頭山(shan)森林植被,對保(bao)護東(dong)(dong)江水(shui)量和水(shui)質(zhi)起著極為(wei)重要的作用。
解(jie)放前出版(ban)的(de)《博羅縣志》記載如(ru)下(xia): "石(shi)(shi)船在象頭山(shan)馬尾泉(quan)下(xia)。石(shi)(shi)突(tu)起五、六(liu)尺,長丈余,玲瓏如(ru)船。" "去(qu)馬尾泉(quan)數百(bai)步,大石(shi)(shi)當中流,宛如(ru)畫(hua)舫,謂之石(shi)(shi)船。兩岸石(shi)(shi)壁,若刀刻、若蟲蝕、凹者凸(tu)者,斷者續者......為(wei)山(shan)中勝處。"
"長(chang)溪(xi)中(zhong)有(you)石(shi)如(ru)畫舫,謂之(zhi)(zhi)石(shi)船,相傳為(wei)黃野仙遺跡(ji)。" 山(shan)中(zhong)勝景,有(you)獅子巖(yan)佛寺和曬谷(gu)石(shi)、和尚石(shi)、仙人跡(ji),觀音巖(yan)等(deng)。象山(shan)南(nan)麓有(you)明代(dai)"韓寅仲禮斗(dou)處"石(shi)刻及青羊洞、太極巖(yan)、懶(lan)云床、爛柯(ke)處諸勝。象頭山(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)湖光(guang)山(shan)色,云蒸霞蔚(yu),長(chang)溪(xi)怪石(shi),幽谷(gu)靈巖(yan),自(zi)宋代(dai)以來吸引無數游(you)(you)人前往觀賞,成(cheng)為(wei)惠州、博羅一帶有(you)名(ming)的旅(lv)游(you)(you)勝地。