石(shi)(shi)門(men)(men)臺自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)北面(mian)與(yu)曲江羅(luo)坑(keng)國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)毗鄰,西北面(mian)與(yu)乳源大峽谷國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)相(xiang)鄰,東面(mian)與(yu)英德市沙口鎮隔北江相(xiang)望(wang),南面(mian)自(zi)西向東分別是(shi)波羅(luo)、石(shi)(shi)牯(gu)塘(tang)、英紅(hong)、沙口五鎮接壤(rang)。地理(li)坐標東經113°16′07″-113°20′18″,北緯24°23′49″-24°28′04″,總面(mian)積33555公頃,平均(jun)海(hai)拔800米(mi),高(gao)海(hai)拔1586.8米(mi),區(qu)(qu)(qu)內年(nian)平均(jun)氣溫(wen)18℃,是(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)個四季皆(jie)宜攀登(deng)的(de)優秀旅游勝(sheng)地。石(shi)(shi)門(men)(men)臺自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)溫(wen)暖濕潤的(de)環境孕育了豐富(fu)的(de)動(dong)(dong)(dong)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)資源。據調(diao)查,石(shi)(shi)門(men)(men)臺自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)內有高(gao)等植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)2242種(zhong),隸屬于987屬260科。其(qi)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)家一(yi)(yi)(yi)級(ji)的(de)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)1種(zhong),二(er)級(ji)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)23種(zhong),茂密的(de)森林資源為野生動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)提供了良好的(de)繁衍棲息地。區(qu)(qu)(qu)內有野生脊椎動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)301種(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)家一(yi)(yi)(yi)級(ji)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)4種(zhong),二(er)級(ji)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)動(dong)(dong)(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)41種(zhong)。石(shi)(shi)門(men)(men)臺自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)以其(qi)豐富(fu)的(de)野生動(dong)(dong)(dong)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)資源,被譽為“南嶺綠(lv)色(se)明(ming)珠”。2002年(nian)經廣東省人(ren)民政府批(pi)準,石(shi)(shi)門(men)(men)臺自(zi)然(ran)(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)管理(li)處為副處級(ji)事業單位,核(he)定(ding)編制(zhi)21人(ren),人(ren)員(yuan)經費由省財政撥款。
保護(hu)(hu)區管(guan)理(li)處設(she)(she)正副主任,下(xia)設(she)(she)綜合科(ke)(ke)、科(ke)(ke)研宣教(jiao)科(ke)(ke)、資源(yuan)可(ke)持(chi)續利(li)用(yong)科(ke)(ke)、保護(hu)(hu)管(guan)理(li)科(ke)(ke)等(deng)4個(ge)科(ke)(ke)室和5個(ge)保護(hu)(hu)管(guan)理(li)站。
石門(men)臺(tai)自然(ran)保護區(qu)位(wei)于北(bei)(bei)回(hui)歸(gui)線北(bei)(bei)緣,處(chu)于東亞(ya)季風區(qu)的南亞(ya)熱帶向中(zhong)區(qu)熱帶的氣候過(guo)渡帶,屬(shu)熱帶季風氣候區(qu),年平均氣溫20.8 ℃,年降雨量2364.7 毫米(主要(yao)集(ji)中(zhong)在4月(yue)),為(wei)廣大三大降雨中(zhong)心之一。
石門(men)臺自然保護(hu)區(qu)地(di)勢起伏大(da),地(di)形(xing)復雜,山峰林立,溝(gou)壑縱橫,河流眾多,4 千米(mi)以(yi)上的河流有18條,區(qu)內大(da)瀑布(bu)落差200米(mi)。
石(shi)門臺(tai)自然保護(hu)區主要(yao)保護(hu)對(dui)象為(wei)南亞熱帶常綠闊葉(xie)林和珍(zhen)稀動(dong)植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)。植(zhi)被以(yi)天(tian)然常綠闊葉(xie)林占絕對(dui)優勢(shi),其(qi)中(zhong)有(you)大面積的(de)原生性森林,是廣東省(sheng)境(jing)內植(zhi)物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)豐(feng)富的(de)少見(jian)的(de)大面積天(tian)然林寶庫(ku)。
石門臺國家級自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)內(nei)物(wu)(wu)(wu)種資源非常豐(feng)富(fu),在(zai)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)、自然(ran)公園(yuan)內(nei)有(you)(you)恐龍的(de)食(shi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)——國家二級保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)桫(suo)欏(luo)。在(zai)該區(qu)內(nei)幾乎每個山坑(keng)的(de)溪邊水旁的(de)潮濕環境都(dou)有(you)(you)分布(bu),高(gao)的(de)達(da)9米多;據初步(bu)調(diao)查(cha),動植物(wu)(wu)(wu)資源保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)有(you)(you)高(gao)等植物(wu)(wu)(wu)2242種,其中藥(yao)用植物(wu)(wu)(wu)749種、觀賞植物(wu)(wu)(wu)220種、野(ye)生水果101種,國家重點保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)珍(zhen)稀植物(wu)(wu)(wu)有(you)(you)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)內(nei)擁(yong)有(you)(you)國家重點保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)植物(wu)(wu)(wu)20多種,其中國家一級重點保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)的(de)有(you)(you)伯樂樹、南(nan)方紅豆(dou)杉(shan)2種,屬于二級重點保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)的(de)有(you)(you)蘇鐵蕨、桫(suo)欏(luo)、黑桫(suo)欏(luo)、金毛狗、水蕨、福建柏等 20余種。
石門臺國(guo)家級(ji)(ji)自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內豐(feng)富的(de)(de)(de)森林資源(yuan),為野生(sheng)動(dong)物提(ti)供了良好繁(fan)衍棲息場所,據調查(cha),保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)有(you)(you)(you)陸棲脊椎(zhui)動(dong)物300多種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),國(guo)家重點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)珍(zhen)稀動(dong)物有(you)(you)(you)50種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)屬于(yu)一級(ji)(ji)重點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)(de)(de)有(you)(you)(you)瑤山鱷蜥、蟒、豹(bao)、金雕和(he)黃腹角(jiao)雉等5種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),二級(ji)(ji)重點(dian)(dian)保(bao)(bao)護(hu)的(de)(de)(de)有(you)(you)(you)短尾猴、三線閉殼(ke)龜、穿(chuan)山甲(jia)和(he)白鷴等45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。昆(kun)蟲已(yi)(yi)鑒定的(de)(de)(de)有(you)(you)(you)152科1044種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。還(huan)有(you)(you)(you)一些新種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)和(he)中(zhong)國(guo)新記錄種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),如鞘翅目的(de)(de)(de)石門臺大步甲(jia)(Carabus shu shimentaiensis Deuve et Tian),蝶(die)類(lei)中(zhong)有(you)(you)(you)兩個新種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(即何華灰蝶(die)Howarthia sp.及窗弄蝶(die)(Coladenia sp.),兩個中(zhong)國(guo)新記錄種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),即烤彩灰蝶(die)Heliophorus kohimensis Tytler和(he)越南蘇弄蝶(die)Sovia lucasii (Mabille)。石門臺自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)蝶(die)類(lei)資源(yuan)非常豐(feng)富,目前已(yi)(yi)記錄的(de)(de)(de)蝶(die)類(lei)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)有(you)(you)(you)358種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),我(wo)國(guo)已(yi)(yi)有(you)(you)(you)分布記錄的(de)(de)(de)科在保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內均有(you)(you)(you)發(fa)現(xian),是目前廣東(dong)省記錄蝴蝶(die)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)多自(zi)然保(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)。
石門臺國家級自然(ran)保(bao)護區以其豐富(fu)的動植物物種(zhong)資源而(er)成為中(zhong)外科學研(yan)究(jiu)的重要基(ji)地,導(dao)致大量的專家、學者蜂擁而(er)至(zhi),對(dui)石門臺進行科考研(yan)究(jiu)。
石(shi)(shi)門臺國家級(ji)自(zi)然(ran)保(bao)護區地(di)質(zhi)地(di)貌(mao)復(fu)雜多樣,峰林峽谷千奇百(bai)怪,生(sheng)態(tai)(tai)景(jing)觀(guan)(guan)奇特(te)(te)秀麗(li),具有(you)(you)典型的(de)(de)(de)喀斯(si)特(te)(te)地(di)貌(mao)特(te)(te)征,生(sheng)態(tai)(tai)旅游(you)資源,其豐富(fu)的(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)態(tai)(tai)旅游(you)資源具有(you)(you)較高(gao)的(de)(de)(de)藝術、美學、觀(guan)(guan)賞、文化(hua)和科(ke)學等價(jia)值,特(te)(te)別(bie)是(shi)已規劃(hua)的(de)(de)(de)石(shi)(shi)門臺生(sheng)態(tai)(tai)旅游(you)區的(de)(de)(de)雄、奇、秀、野千姿(zi)百(bai)態(tai)(tai)自(zi)然(ran)景(jing)觀(guan)(guan)使人目不暇(xia)接,是(shi)療養度假的(de)(de)(de)好(hao)地(di)方;正在(zai)規劃(hua)中的(de)(de)(de)鹿洞生(sheng)態(tai)(tai)旅游(you)區的(de)(de)(de)險、幽、奧、曠等千奇百(bai)怪的(de)(de)(de)自(zi)然(ran)風(feng)光(guang)使人流連忘返,是(shi)理想的(de)(de)(de)生(sheng)態(tai)(tai)旅游(you)場所。在(zai)保(bao)護區東(dong)南部發現(xian)第四紀的(de)(de)(de)植(zhi)物化(hua)石(shi)(shi),舊石(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)時代至新石(shi)(shi)器(qi)(qi)時代古人類遺址,對于(yu)研究古人類文化(hua)的(de)(de)(de)發展和近代生(sheng)物群落的(de)(de)(de)演變等具有(you)(you)重要(yao)意義源石(shi)(shi)門臺是(shi)廣東(dong)省內(nei)好(hao)的(de)(de)(de)溯(su)溪(xi)路線。溪(xi)流淙淙,瀑布(bu)長流不息,森林密布(bu),清(qing)涼世界,是(shi)溯(su)溪(xi)、露營的(de)(de)(de)好(hao)地(di)方。
植被以(yi)天(tian)然常(chang)綠(lv)闊葉林(lin)占絕對優勢,其中(zhong)有大面(mian)積(ji)的(de)原(yuan)生(sheng)性森林(lin),是廣東省(sheng)境內(nei)植物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)豐富的(de)少見的(de)大面(mian)積(ji)天(tian)然林(lin)寶庫。保護(hu)(hu)區有高等植物(wu)(wu)2242種(zhong)(zhong),其中(zhong)藥用植物(wu)(wu)749種(zhong)(zhong)、觀賞植物(wu)(wu)220種(zhong)(zhong)、野生(sheng)水(shui)果101種(zhong)(zhong),脊(ji)椎類動物(wu)(wu)301種(zhong)(zhong),鳥(niao)(niao)類208種(zhong)(zhong),己鑒(jian)定(ding)的(de)昆蟲456種(zhong)(zhong)。其中(zhong)列入國家重(zhong)點保護(hu)(hu)的(de)珍稀瀕危(wei)野生(sheng)動植物(wu)(wu)有68種(zhong)(zhong),如蟒(mang)、豹、黃(huang)腹(fu)角雉(zhi)、白鷴(xian)(廣東省(sheng)鳥(niao)(niao))、蘇鐵蕨、伯樂樹、廣東松、福建柏等。
英德石門臺自(zi)(zi)然(ran)(ran)保護區(qu)是廣東省內貼(tie)近(jin)自(zi)(zi)然(ran)(ran)、能體(ti)現(xian)(xian)人與(yu)自(zi)(zi)然(ran)(ran)完美融(rong)合的(de)(de)旅游景(jing)區(qu)。九(jiu)州(zhou)驛站(zhan)具特色的(de)(de)是天(tian)門溝景(jing)區(qu)的(de)(de)水,一汪(wang)清泉從千米高(gao)空跌落,在(zai)(zai)山(shan)(shan)石叢林(lin)(lin)間婉轉徘徊,貫穿九(jiu)站(zhan)一廊(lang)十個(ge)景(jing)點,在(zai)(zai)這里(li),整個(ge)人都(dou)被融(rong)化,與(yu)自(zi)(zi)然(ran)(ran)合為(wei)一體(ti)。 將人與(yu)自(zi)(zi)然(ran)(ran)更加(jia)貼(tie)近(jin)的(de)(de),是九(jiu)州(zhou)驛站(zhan)的(de)(de)樹(shu)屋村(cun)。 經規劃者匠心獨運的(de)(de)天(tian)才設計,樹(shu)屋全由原木搭造,以(yi)木樁為(wei)支撐(cheng),依樹(shu)而(er)建。莽(mang)莽(mang)森林(lin)(lin)里(li),一座座木屋掩(yan)映其(qi)中,好似遠古時代群居人類在(zai)(zai)樹(shu)上結的(de)(de)巢穴。清晨早起(qi),推窗遠眺,滿(man)眼(yan)的(de)(de)蔥蘢碧翠(cui),啾啾的(de)(de)鳥兒從面前輕盈飛過,此情此景(jing),真(zhen)的(de)(de)給人一種反古歸林(lin)(lin)的(de)(de)幻覺。 在(zai)(zai)百鳥堂景(jing)區(qu)露(lu)營也許(xu)是另外一種親(qin)近(jin)自(zi)(zi)然(ran)(ran)的(de)(de)體(ti)驗(yan)。百鳥堂景(jing)區(qu)位于九(jiu)州(zhou)驛站(zhan)的(de)(de)高(gao)處,海拔(ba)1000多(duo)米,整個(ge)景(jing)區(qu)內覆蓋著厚(hou)厚(hou)的(de)(de)高(gao)山(shan)(shan)草(cao)(cao)甸,置(zhi)身其(qi)中,仿佛來到了(le)風吹草(cao)(cao)低現(xian)(xian)牛羊的(de)(de)北國草(cao)(cao)原。約上三五知己驅車前往,在(zai)(zai)草(cao)(cao)地(di)上搭帳而(er)居,以(yi)天(tian)為(wei)被,以(yi)地(di)做床,體(ti)驗(yan)天(tian)人合一的(de)(de)至高(gao)境界(jie)。