石門臺自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)北面與(yu)曲(qu)江(jiang)羅(luo)坑(keng)國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)毗(pi)鄰(lin),西北面與(yu)乳源(yuan)大峽谷國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)相鄰(lin),東面與(yu)英德市沙口(kou)鎮(zhen)隔北江(jiang)相望,南面自西向東分(fen)別是波(bo)羅(luo)、石牯塘(tang)、英紅、沙口(kou)五鎮(zhen)接壤。地理坐標東經113°16′07″-113°20′18″,北緯24°23′49″-24°28′04″,總面積33555公頃,平均海拔800米(mi),高(gao)海拔1586.8米(mi),區(qu)內年平均氣溫18℃,是一(yi)個(ge)四(si)季(ji)皆宜攀(pan)登的(de)(de)(de)優秀旅游勝地。石門臺自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)溫暖濕潤(run)的(de)(de)(de)環境(jing)孕育了(le)豐富的(de)(de)(de)動(dong)植(zhi)物資(zi)源(yuan)。據(ju)調(diao)查,石門臺自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內有高(gao)等植(zhi)物2242種(zhong),隸屬(shu)于987屬(shu)260科(ke)。其(qi)中國(guo)家一(yi)級(ji)(ji)的(de)(de)(de)保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物1種(zhong),二級(ji)(ji)保(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物23種(zhong),茂密的(de)(de)(de)森林資(zi)源(yuan)為(wei)野生動(dong)物提(ti)供了(le)良(liang)好的(de)(de)(de)繁衍棲息地。區(qu)內有野生脊椎動(dong)物301種(zhong),其(qi)中國(guo)家一(yi)級(ji)(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)物4種(zhong),二級(ji)(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動(dong)物41種(zhong)。石門臺自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)以其(qi)豐富的(de)(de)(de)野生動(dong)植(zhi)物資(zi)源(yuan),被(bei)譽為(wei)“南嶺(ling)綠色明(ming)珠(zhu)”。2002年經廣(guang)東省人民政府批(pi)準,石門臺自然(ran)(ran)保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)管理處為(wei)副處級(ji)(ji)事業單位,核定編(bian)制21人,人員經費由(you)省財政撥款。
保護(hu)區(qu)管理(li)處設(she)正副主任,下設(she)綜(zong)合科(ke)(ke)、科(ke)(ke)研宣教科(ke)(ke)、資源可持續利(li)用(yong)科(ke)(ke)、保護(hu)管理(li)科(ke)(ke)等4個科(ke)(ke)室和5個保護(hu)管理(li)站。
石門臺(tai)自然保護區位(wei)于北回歸線北緣,處(chu)于東亞(ya)季風區的(de)南(nan)亞(ya)熱(re)帶(dai)(dai)(dai)向中區熱(re)帶(dai)(dai)(dai)的(de)氣(qi)候(hou)(hou)過渡(du)帶(dai)(dai)(dai),屬熱(re)帶(dai)(dai)(dai)季風氣(qi)候(hou)(hou)區,年(nian)平均氣(qi)溫20.8 ℃,年(nian)降雨量2364.7 毫米(主要集(ji)中在(zai)4月),為(wei)廣大三(san)大降雨中心(xin)之一。
石門臺(tai)自(zi)然保護區地(di)勢(shi)起伏大,地(di)形復雜(za),山峰林立,溝壑縱(zong)橫,河流眾多,4 千米以上的河流有18條,區內大瀑布落差200米。
石門臺自然保護區主(zhu)要保護對象(xiang)為(wei)南亞熱帶常(chang)(chang)綠(lv)闊葉(xie)林(lin)和珍(zhen)稀動植(zhi)物。植(zhi)被(bei)以天(tian)然常(chang)(chang)綠(lv)闊葉(xie)林(lin)占絕(jue)對優勢(shi),其中有大(da)面積的原(yuan)生(sheng)性森林(lin),是廣東省(sheng)境內植(zhi)物物種(zhong)豐富的少見的大(da)面積天(tian)然林(lin)寶庫。
石門(men)臺國家(jia)級自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區內物種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)資(zi)源非常豐富,在(zai)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區、自然(ran)公(gong)園內有(you)(you)(you)恐龍的食物——國家(jia)二級保(bao)(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物桫欏。在(zai)該區內幾乎每個(ge)山坑(keng)的溪邊水旁的潮濕環境都有(you)(you)(you)分(fen)布,高的達9米多(duo);據初步調查(cha),動植(zhi)物資(zi)源保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區有(you)(you)(you)高等(deng)植(zhi)物2242種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)藥用植(zhi)物749種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、觀賞植(zhi)物220種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、野(ye)生水果(guo)101種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),國家(jia)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)珍稀植(zhi)物有(you)(you)(you)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區內擁有(you)(you)(you)國家(jia)重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)植(zhi)物20多(duo)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)國家(jia)一級重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的有(you)(you)(you)伯樂(le)樹、南方紅(hong)豆杉(shan)2種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),屬于二級重(zhong)點(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的有(you)(you)(you)蘇鐵蕨、桫欏、黑(hei)桫欏、金毛狗、水蕨、福建柏等(deng) 20余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
石(shi)(shi)門(men)臺(tai)國(guo)家級自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內豐富的(de)森林資(zi)源(yuan),為野生(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)提供了(le)良好繁(fan)衍棲息場所,據(ju)調查(cha),保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)有(you)陸(lu)棲脊(ji)椎動物(wu)(wu)300多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),國(guo)家重(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)珍(zhen)稀(xi)動物(wu)(wu)有(you)50種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)屬于一級重(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)有(you)瑤山鱷(e)蜥、蟒、豹(bao)、金雕(diao)和黃腹(fu)角雉等5種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),二級重(zhong)點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)有(you)短尾猴、三(san)線(xian)閉(bi)殼龜、穿山甲(jia)和白鷴等45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。昆蟲已(yi)鑒(jian)定的(de)有(you)152科1044種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。還有(you)一些新(xin)(xin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)和中(zhong)國(guo)新(xin)(xin)記(ji)錄種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),如鞘(qiao)翅(chi)目的(de)石(shi)(shi)門(men)臺(tai)大步甲(jia)(Carabus shu shimentaiensis Deuve et Tian),蝶(die)(die)類(lei)中(zhong)有(you)兩個新(xin)(xin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(即何(he)華灰蝶(die)(die)Howarthia sp.及窗弄蝶(die)(die)(Coladenia sp.),兩個中(zhong)國(guo)新(xin)(xin)記(ji)錄種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),即烤彩(cai)灰蝶(die)(die)Heliophorus kohimensis Tytler和越南蘇弄蝶(die)(die)Sovia lucasii (Mabille)。石(shi)(shi)門(men)臺(tai)自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)蝶(die)(die)類(lei)資(zi)源(yuan)非常豐富,目前(qian)(qian)已(yi)記(ji)錄的(de)蝶(die)(die)類(lei)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)有(you)358種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),我(wo)國(guo)已(yi)有(you)分布記(ji)錄的(de)科在保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內均有(you)發現,是(shi)目前(qian)(qian)廣東省(sheng)記(ji)錄蝴蝶(die)(die)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)多自然保(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)。
石門臺國家級自然保(bao)護區以其(qi)豐富的動植物(wu)物(wu)種資源而成為中外科學研(yan)究(jiu)(jiu)的重要基地(di),導致大量(liang)的專(zhuan)家、學者蜂擁而至,對石門臺進(jin)行科考研(yan)究(jiu)(jiu)。
石(shi)(shi)門臺(tai)國家級自(zi)然保護區(qu)地質地貌復雜多樣,峰(feng)林峽谷(gu)千(qian)奇百怪,生(sheng)(sheng)態(tai)景(jing)觀奇特(te)秀麗(li),具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)典型(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)喀斯特(te)地貌特(te)征,生(sheng)(sheng)態(tai)旅(lv)游資(zi)源,其豐富的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)態(tai)旅(lv)游資(zi)源具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)較高的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)藝術、美(mei)學(xue)、觀賞、文(wen)化和科(ke)學(xue)等價值,特(te)別是已規(gui)劃的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)門臺(tai)生(sheng)(sheng)態(tai)旅(lv)游區(qu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)雄、奇、秀、野千(qian)姿(zi)百態(tai)自(zi)然景(jing)觀使人目不暇接,是療養(yang)度假的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)好(hao)(hao)地方;正在規(gui)劃中的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)鹿(lu)洞生(sheng)(sheng)態(tai)旅(lv)游區(qu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)險、幽、奧(ao)、曠等千(qian)奇百怪的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)自(zi)然風光使人流(liu)連忘返,是理想的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)態(tai)旅(lv)游場所。在保護區(qu)東南部發現第四紀的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)植物化石(shi)(shi),舊石(shi)(shi)器(qi)時(shi)(shi)代(dai)至新石(shi)(shi)器(qi)時(shi)(shi)代(dai)古人類(lei)遺址,對于研究古人類(lei)文(wen)化的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)發展和近(jin)代(dai)生(sheng)(sheng)物群落的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)演變等具(ju)(ju)(ju)有(you)重要(yao)意義源石(shi)(shi)門臺(tai)是廣東省內好(hao)(hao)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)溯溪路線。溪流(liu)淙(cong)淙(cong),瀑布長流(liu)不息(xi),森林密布,清涼世界,是溯溪、露營的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)好(hao)(hao)地方。
植(zhi)(zhi)被以天然(ran)(ran)常綠闊葉林占絕對優勢,其(qi)中(zhong)有(you)大面(mian)積的原生(sheng)(sheng)性(xing)森林,是廣(guang)東(dong)省境(jing)內(nei)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)豐(feng)富的少見的大面(mian)積天然(ran)(ran)林寶庫。保(bao)護區有(you)高等(deng)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)2242種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)藥(yao)用植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)749種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、觀賞植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)220種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)水果(guo)101種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),脊(ji)椎類(lei)動(dong)物(wu)301種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),鳥類(lei)208種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),己鑒定的昆(kun)蟲456種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。其(qi)中(zhong)列(lie)入(ru)國家重點(dian)保(bao)護的珍稀瀕危(wei)野(ye)生(sheng)(sheng)動(dong)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)有(you)68種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),如蟒、豹、黃腹角雉、白鷴(廣(guang)東(dong)省鳥)、蘇鐵(tie)蕨、伯樂樹、廣(guang)東(dong)松(song)、福(fu)建柏等(deng)。
英德石門臺(tai)自(zi)然保護區(qu)是(shi)廣(guang)東省內貼近自(zi)然、能體(ti)現(xian)人與(yu)自(zi)然完美融合的(de)(de)旅游景(jing)區(qu)。九(jiu)州(zhou)(zhou)驛站具特色(se)的(de)(de)是(shi)天門溝(gou)景(jing)區(qu)的(de)(de)水,一汪清泉從千米高空跌落(luo),在山(shan)石叢林(lin)(lin)間婉(wan)轉徘徊(huai),貫(guan)穿九(jiu)站一廊十個景(jing)點,在這里,整(zheng)個人都被融化,與(yu)自(zi)然合為一體(ti)。 將人與(yu)自(zi)然更加貼近的(de)(de),是(shi)九(jiu)州(zhou)(zhou)驛站的(de)(de)樹屋(wu)村。 經規劃者匠心獨運的(de)(de)天才設計,樹屋(wu)全由(you)原(yuan)木(mu)搭造,以(yi)(yi)(yi)木(mu)樁為支撐(cheng),依樹而建(jian)。莽(mang)莽(mang)森(sen)林(lin)(lin)里,一座座木(mu)屋(wu)掩映其中(zhong),好似遠古(gu)時代群居人類在樹上(shang)結的(de)(de)巢(chao)穴。清晨早起(qi),推窗遠眺,滿眼的(de)(de)蔥蘢碧翠,啾啾的(de)(de)鳥(niao)兒從面(mian)前(qian)輕盈飛過,此(ci)情此(ci)景(jing),真的(de)(de)給(gei)人一種(zhong)反古(gu)歸林(lin)(lin)的(de)(de)幻覺。 在百鳥(niao)堂景(jing)區(qu)露營也許是(shi)另外一種(zhong)親近自(zi)然的(de)(de)體(ti)驗。百鳥(niao)堂景(jing)區(qu)位于九(jiu)州(zhou)(zhou)驛站的(de)(de)高處,海拔1000多(duo)米,整(zheng)個景(jing)區(qu)內覆蓋著(zhu)厚(hou)厚(hou)的(de)(de)高山(shan)草(cao)甸,置(zhi)身其中(zhong),仿佛(fo)來到了風(feng)吹草(cao)低現(xian)牛羊的(de)(de)北國草(cao)原(yuan)。約上(shang)三五知己驅(qu)車前(qian)往,在草(cao)地上(shang)搭帳而居,以(yi)(yi)(yi)天為被,以(yi)(yi)(yi)地做床,體(ti)驗天人合一的(de)(de)至高境界(jie)。