十(shi)八里長(chang)峽自然(ran)保護區始(shi)建于1988年(nian),2002年(nian)晉升(sheng)為市級自然(ran)保護區。
2003年(nian)8月(yue),湖北省(sheng)政府批準納(na)入省(sheng)級自然保護區(qu)建設。
2004年12月,湖北十八里長峽省級自(zi)然保護區管理局掛牌成立。
2005年(nian)3月,完成了管理局內設科室配(pei)置及二級單位的組建(jian)。
2014年1月,晉(jin)升為國家(jia)級自然保(bao)護區。
湖(hu)北十八里長峽自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區位于湖(hu)北省(sheng)(sheng)竹溪縣(xian)南(nan)部(bu),鄂(e)、渝、陜交(jiao)界處,北緯(wei)31°31′13″~31°43′15″,東經(jing)109°42′50″~109°58′15″,距離竹溪縣(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)248 km、重慶(qing)市巫溪縣(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)54 km、陜西(xi)省(sheng)(sheng)鎮(zhen)坪縣(xian)城(cheng)(cheng)81 km。
保護區(qu)(qu)地處北亞(ya)熱(re)帶向溫(wen)(wen)帶過度(du)地帶,氣(qi)候(hou)(hou)區(qu)(qu)劃(hua)上(shang)為亞(ya)熱(re)帶濕潤季風,具有南北兼宜的特征,四季分明、氣(qi)候(hou)(hou)溫(wen)(wen)和、雨量(liang)充沛、夏無酷暑、冬無嚴寒、光熱(re)適度(du)、溫(wen)(wen)暖濕潤。地表高(gao)差(cha)懸殊,地表獨特,立體氣(qi)候(hou)(hou)顯著。春季平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)89天(tian)(tian),由(you)低(di)山(shan)(shan)到高(gao)山(shan)(shan)逐(zhu)漸增多;夏季平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)45天(tian)(tian),由(you)低(di)山(shan)(shan)到高(gao)山(shan)(shan)逐(zhu)漸減少(shao);秋季平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)77天(tian)(tian),由(you)低(di)山(shan)(shan)到高(gao)山(shan)(shan)逐(zhu)漸增加;冬季平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)154天(tian)(tian),由(you)高(gao)山(shan)(shan)到低(di)山(shan)(shan)逐(zhu)漸減少(shao)。歷(li)年(nian)平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)14.4℃,隨地勢(shi)變(bian)化從河谷到低(di)山(shan)(shan)、中(zhong)(zhong)高(gao)山(shan)(shan)、高(gao)山(shan)(shan)依次遞減。海(hai)拔每(mei)上(shang)升(sheng)100 m,氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)下降0.53℃。歷(li)年(nian)極端(duan)高(gao)氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)為1969年(nian)﹣12.9 ℃,極端(duan)高(gao)氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)為1984年(nian)40 ℃。海(hai)拔在(zai)2000m左(zuo)右的高(gao)山(shan)(shan)年(nian)平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)在(zai)6℃~11℃之(zhi)間(jian);海(hai)拔在(zai)1000m左(zuo)右的中(zhong)(zhong)高(gao)山(shan)(shan)年(nian)平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)在(zai)11℃~14℃之(zhi)間(jian);海(hai)拔在(zai)500m左(zuo)右的丘陵河谷區(qu)(qu),年(nian)平(ping)(ping)(ping)均(jun)氣(qi)溫(wen)(wen)在(zai)14℃~16℃之(zhi)間(jian)。
十(shi)八里長峽(xia)自然保(bao)護區(qu)(qu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)中(zhong)(zhong)東部(bu)(bu)地(di)(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)地(di)(di)(di)貌(mao)深(shen)切劇(ju)烈的(de)(de)地(di)(di)(di)區(qu)(qu),是我國(guo)中(zhong)(zhong)東部(bu)(bu)地(di)(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)深(shen)的(de)(de)峽(xia)谷(gu)。保(bao)護區(qu)(qu)中(zhong)(zhong)部(bu)(bu)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)溶(rong)地(di)(di)(di)貌(mao)現象相(xiang)當發(fa)育,為(wei)(wei)(wei)典型的(de)(de)喀斯特(te)地(di)(di)(di)貌(mao),溶(rong)蝕盆地(di)(di)(di)、落水洞、巖(yan)(yan)(yan)溶(rong)漏(lou)斗(dou)、溶(rong)溝石芽、溶(rong)洞豐(feng)富;西部(bu)(bu)和南部(bu)(bu)還有奧(ao)陶系(xi)、志留(liu)系(xi)、二疊(die)系(xi)和三(san)疊(die)系(xi)。境(jing)(jing)內(nei)峰高谷(gu)深(shen),河谷(gu)兩岸崖壁陡峭,故有長峽(xia)之稱。山(shan)巒起伏,高低(di)(di)懸(xuan)(xuan)殊,高山(shan)峰為(wei)(wei)(wei)南部(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)蔥坪(原名為(wei)(wei)(wei)鳳(feng)凰嶺(ling)),海(hai)拔2740.2 m,低(di)(di)處(chu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)東部(bu)(bu)的(de)(de)雙(shuang)河口,海(hai)拔僅570.0 m,相(xiang)對高差2170.2 m。主(zhu)要(yao)地(di)(di)(di)形由(you)山(shan)地(di)(di)(di)、懸(xuan)(xuan)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)、河流組成,保(bao)護區(qu)(qu)內(nei)主(zhu)要(yao)地(di)(di)(di)貌(mao)為(wei)(wei)(wei)中(zhong)(zhong)山(shan),主(zhu)要(yao)巖(yan)(yan)(yan)石及(ji)成土母巖(yan)(yan)(yan)有石灰巖(yan)(yan)(yan)、板巖(yan)(yan)(yan)、頁巖(yan)(yan)(yan)、花崗巖(yan)(yan)(yan)等(deng)。地(di)(di)(di)勢呈南高北低(di)(di),境(jing)(jing)內(nei)崇山(shan)峻嶺(ling),山(shan)峰林立,峽(xia)谷(gu)幽深(shen),地(di)(di)(di)形險峭。
地表水
保(bao)護區是南水(shui)北調工程重(zhong)要的水(shui)源涵養地(di)之一,境內水(shui)系由(you)大河及其支(zhi)流(liu)構成。
大(da)河(he)(he)(he)(he)亦稱五道河(he)(he)(he)(he),是(shi)保護區境內大(da)的(de)河(he)(he)(he)(he)流(liu),源于(yu)區內的(de)長(chang)(chang)嶺溝,由(you)西向東經向壩流(liu)入竹山縣(xian)官(guan)渡河(he)(he)(he)(he)上游的(de)公祖(zu)河(he)(he)(he)(he),全長(chang)(chang)40 km,流(liu)域面積313 km,高差1755 m,徑流(liu)量3.13×10m,徑流(liu)深1000 mm。其主(zhu)要支(zhi)流(liu)向壩河(he)(he)(he)(he),全長(chang)(chang)20 km。另外還有大(da)小(xiao)河(he)(he)(he)(he)溪近20條(tiao),總長(chang)(chang)近50 km。在(zai)海拔1350 m 的(de)長(chang)(chang)嶺溝埡(wu)子,有一(yi)天然湖泊,面積1.6 hm,自然風光秀麗(li)。所(suo)有徑流(liu)均匯入漢(han)江,注(zhu)入丹江口水庫。
地下水
區(qu)內(nei)石灰巖分布(bu)(bu)面積較(jiao)大,暗河、泉流(liu)(liu)(liu)較(jiao)多。暗河主要分布(bu)(bu)在(zai)大河各級(ji)支流(liu)(liu)(liu)河溪(xi)、流(liu)(liu)(liu)域中,高山巖溶地(di)表徑流(liu)(liu)(liu)滲入地(di)下形成暗河,大都在(zai)低山一(yi)帶又(you)成暗泉涌出;泉流(liu)(liu)(liu)具有流(liu)(liu)(liu)量穩定,四(si)季(ji)不斷(duan),落差(cha)較(jiao)大的特(te)點(dian)。
保護(hu)區內(nei)的(de)土(tu)壤(rang)(rang)劃分為黃(huang)棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)、棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)、暗棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)大區。竹溪縣土(tu)壤(rang)(rang)共劃分為6個(ge)(ge)土(tu)類(lei)(lei)、13個(ge)(ge)亞類(lei)(lei)、30個(ge)(ge)土(tu)屬、125個(ge)(ge)土(tu)種、58個(ge)(ge)變種;保護(hu)區土(tu)壤(rang)(rang)可分為6大土(tu)類(lei)(lei)、9個(ge)(ge)亞類(lei)(lei)、10個(ge)(ge)土(tu)屬,主(zhu)要土(tu)壤(rang)(rang)為黃(huang)棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)和棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)。保護(hu)區內(nei)土(tu)壤(rang)(rang)分布的(de)垂(chui)直帶(dai)譜(pu)非常明(ming)顯,隨(sui)著海拔升高依次出現泥質(zhi)黃(huang)棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)帶(dai)、山地黃(huang)棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)帶(dai)、棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)帶(dai)、暗棕(zong)壤(rang)(rang)帶(dai)。
十(shi)八里長(chang)峽自然保(bao)護區(qu)的(de)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)系屬(shu)泛北(bei)極植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)、中(zhong)國-日本(ben)森林植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)亞區(qu)、華中(zhong)區(qu)系。植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)類分(fen)布有(you)(you)(you)172科,905屬(shu),2523種(zhong)(zhong)。分(fen)布有(you)(you)(you)國家(jia)瀕危(wei)保(bao)護野(ye)生(sheng)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)43種(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)國家(jia)重(zhong)(zhong)點保(bao)護植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)26種(zhong)(zhong)(Ⅰ級(ji)5種(zhong)(zhong),Ⅱ級(ji) 21種(zhong)(zhong)),占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)湖北(bei)省(sheng)總(zong)數(shu)(shu)47種(zhong)(zhong)的(de)55.3%。國家(jia)珍貴樹(shu)種(zhong)(zhong)17種(zhong)(zhong),占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)湖北(bei)省(sheng)總(zong)數(shu)(shu)28種(zhong)(zhong)的(de)64.3%。國家(jia)瀕危(wei)保(bao)護植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)33種(zhong)(zhong),占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)湖北(bei)省(sheng)總(zong)數(shu)(shu)62種(zhong)(zhong)的(de)54.8%。中(zhong)國特有(you)(you)(you)分(fen)布植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)38屬(shu)。紅(hong)豆(dou)杉原始群落達4500多畝(mu)(mu),珙桐原始群落達5000多畝(mu)(mu)。已查明(ming)分(fen)布有(you)(you)(you)“小(xiao)勾兒茶”植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)株(zhu)32株(zhu),大單株(zhu)高12米胸徑13 .5厘米。保(bao)護區(qu)野(ye)生(sheng)動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)資源(yuan)豐富,已查明(ming)陸(lu)生(sheng)脊椎動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)307種(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)有(you)(you)(you)國家(jia)重(zhong)(zhong)點保(bao)護陸(lu)生(sheng)脊椎動(dong)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)48種(zhong)(zhong)(Ⅰ級(ji)2種(zhong)(zhong),Ⅱ級(ji)46種(zhong)(zhong)),占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)湖北(bei)省(sheng)總(zong)數(shu)(shu)109種(zhong)(zhong)的(de)44.04%。
十八里長峽自然保護(hu)(hu)區蘊(yun)藏著豐富的(de)(de)野(ye)生(sheng)動植物(wu)(wu)資源,是湖北(bei)省(sheng)乃至全(quan)國(guo)(guo)保存較為(wei)完好的(de)(de)北(bei)亞(ya)熱帶(dai)原(yuan)始森林群落(luo)之一(yi),是中國(guo)(guo)優先保護(hu)(hu)領域和(he)具(ju)有全(quan)球意義生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)多樣性關鍵地區,具(ju)有極高的(de)(de)保護(hu)(hu)和(he)科研(yan)價值。主要保護(hu)(hu)對(dui)象為(wei)瀕危野(ye)生(sheng)動植物(wu)(wu)及(ji)(ji)其棲(qi)息地、陸生(sheng)生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)及(ji)(ji)其生(sheng)境(jing)共同組成的(de)(de)森林生(sheng)態系統和(he)生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)物(wu)(wu)種的(de)(de)多樣性,特別是紅(hong)豆(dou)杉和(he)珙桐等國(guo)(guo)家保護(hu)(hu)植物(wu)(wu)及(ji)(ji)豹等極度瀕危動物(wu)(wu)及(ji)(ji)其棲(qi)息地。