1980年(nian)，陜(shan)西(xi)(xi)省(sheng)人民政府(fu)同意建(jian)立周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)縣(xian)金(jin)(jin)絲猴(hou)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)（陜(shan)政發(fa)字[1980]244號文件(jian)）。1982年(nian)，經(jing)省(sheng)政府(fu)第(di)15次常務(wu)會議通過的《陜(shan)西(xi)(xi)省(sheng)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)劃(hua)(hua)方案》進一(yi)步明(ming)確：在周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)縣(xian)南(nan)部秦嶺北坡，建(jian)立金(jin)(jin)絲猴(hou)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)。1986年(nian)西(xi)(xi)安市批(pi)準成(cheng)立周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)籌(chou)建(jian)處。1988年(nian)經(jing)國(guo)(guo)務(wu)院批(pi)準，周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)晉升為國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)。1989年(nian)西(xi)(xi)安市批(pi)準成(cheng)立“陜(shan)西(xi)(xi)周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)管理局(ju)”。1993年(nian)8月，小(xiao)王澗林(lin)場劃(hua)(hua)入(ru)周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)國(guo)(guo)家級(ji)自(zi)然(ran)(ran)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)管理局(ju)管理。保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)(hu)(hu)區(qu)總面(mian)積56393公頃，系由原屬小(xiao)王澗林(lin)場、厚畛(zhen)子林(lin)場面(mian)積中(zhong)劃(hua)(hua)出；其中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)有面(mian)積49849公頃，社區(qu)用(yong)地6544公頃。區(qu)內金(jin)(jin)絲猴(hou)集中(zhong)分布(bu)的14個小(xiao)區(qu)被劃(hua)(hua)分為6個核心小(xiao)區(qu)，占(zhan)總面(mian)積49.6%，其余50.4%為實驗(yan)區(qu)。
周(zhou)至(zhi)自(zi)然(ran)保(bao)護區位(wei)于周(zhou)至(zhi)南(nan)(nan)部秦嶺主梁(liang)北坡。地理座(zuo)標為(wei)東經107°46′—108°18′，北緯33°43′—33°53′，地跨王(wang)家河、板房(fang)子、厚(hou)畛子3個(ge)鄉鎮。東西長(chang)約(yue)65公里(li)(li)，南(nan)(nan)北寬(kuan)約(yue)19公里(li)(li)。東以(yi)南(nan)(nan)叉(cha)河為(wei)界(jie)與(yu)小(xiao)王(wang)澗(jian)林(lin)場相接，南(nan)(nan)以(yi)秦嶺梁(liang)為(wei)界(jie)，與(yu)寧陜縣(xian)、佛坪(ping)縣(xian)和佛坪(ping)保(bao)護區接壤，西以(yi)秦嶺梁(liang)為(wei)界(jie)與(yu)老縣(xian)城保(bao)護區為(wei)鄰，北與(yu)西安市小(xiao)王(wang)澗(jian)林(lin)場、周(zhou)至(zhi)縣(xian)厚(hou)畛子林(lin)場相連。
保護區屬(shu)強(qiang)烈(lie)切割中山山地(di)，山勢巍峨，地(di)形(xing)(xing)復雜，怪石嶙峋，河深谷狹，最高(gao)海(hai)拔達2900米。由于受海(hai)拔和(he)(he)地(di)形(xing)(xing)的影響(xiang)，區內(nei)四季不明顯(xian)，呈(cheng)現(xian)夏季短而(er)涼(liang)，冬(dong)季長(chang)而(er)冷，低溫(wen)多雨，光照不足，氣候垂直變化顯(xian)著。區內(nei)年(nian)(nian)均溫(wen)6.4℃，年(nian)(nian)降水量約1000毫米。土(tu)(tu)壤自下而(er)上為(wei)褐土(tu)(tu)、棕(zong)壤、灰化土(tu)(tu)和(he)(he)高(gao)山草甸土(tu)(tu)。區內(nei)溪流眾(zhong)多，入渭河，屬(shu)黃河水系。
保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)內大片森林植被(bei)是秦嶺北麓的重要(yao)集(ji)水(shui)區(qu)，約占黑(hei)河上游(you)集(ji)水(shui)區(qu)總面(mian)(mian)積的38%，在涵養(yang)水(shui)源、凈化空(kong)氣、調節氣候(hou)、保(bao)持水(shui)土等方面(mian)(mian)具有顯(xian)著(zhu)的生態(tai)功(gong)能。
秦嶺北坡山體(ti)高(gao)大，溝谷縱橫(heng)，氣(qi)勢雄偉(wei)，森林茂密，在保護區呈現(xian)出壯麗獨特的自然景(jing)觀：
高山(shan)爛泥(ni)湖：位于保護(hu)區東南角，與(yu)寧陜縣交界，面積(ji)約15公頃，海(hai)拔2300米(mi)，地(di)勢開闊。因四(si)周(zhou)高而(er)中間(jian)低，其內形成沼澤爛泥(ni)而(er)得名，羚牛、黑熊等獸類經(jing)常(chang)活動于此。
七(qi)里(li)一線天(tian)(tian)：由保護區北部(bu)東河(he)口入溝東南(nan)而(er)(er)上(shang)直(zhi)通(tong)秦嶺梁脊。路經七(qi)里(li)峽口，但見(jian)絕壁峭面如(ru)削，直(zhi)插云天(tian)(tian)，最狹之處僅(jin)有5米，冷風颼颼，不見(jian)天(tian)(tian)日；冬季冰凌百仞(ren)懸于九天(tian)(tian)，歷經數(shu)月而(er)(er)不化。人行(xing)小道沿(yan)河(he)蜿蜒纏繞(rao)，人稱(cheng)“十五道交(jiao)河(he)腳不干”，游人行(xing)于其間(jian)，妙(miao)趣(qu)橫生。
秦嶺冷杉林(lin)：位于保護區東南部，樹形挺拔俊秀，立地巖石(shi)雄奇。置身其間，令人豪情(qing)奔放，神清氣爽，可盡(jin)情(qing)享受(shou)回歸自然的美妙感(gan)覺。
光(guang)頭山草(cao)(cao)甸(dian)：位于保(bao)(bao)護區西南(nan)邊(bian)陲，與佛保(bao)(bao)、老保(bao)(bao)交(jiao)界，海拔2838米，遍地生長(chang)一(yi)尺多高的雜草(cao)(cao)，形(xing)成一(yi)片(pian)草(cao)(cao)甸(dian)，遠望光(guang)禿一(yi)片(pian)，故名“光(guang)頭山”，近看則是一(yi)片(pian)花的地毯。清晨時分，但(dan)見(jian)霧(wu)靄繚(liao)繞，云霞騰涌，茫茫云海瞬息萬變，如入仙境。羚(ling)牛等野(ye)生動物活(huo)動頻繁，易于觀察(cha)。
周至自(zi)然保護區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)山(shan)體巍峨，溝大谷(gu)深，小氣(qi)候多樣，植(zhi)(zhi)被覆(fu)蓋率90.5%，活(huo)立(li)木(mu)(mu)蓄積量549萬立(li)方(fang)米。植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)以華(hua)(hua)(hua)北(bei)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份為(wei)主，含有(you)少量華(hua)(hua)(hua)中(zhong)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份，同(tong)時(shi)雜(za)有(you)橫斷山(shan)脈(mo)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份，具有(you)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)豐富、起源(yuan)古老(lao)、過渡性強(qiang)烈、分布瀕危種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、垂直分布明顯(xian)、類(lei)(lei)型多樣等特點。目前已鑒定的(de)(de)(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)1069種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。有(you)果樹(shu)類(lei)(lei)90余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，藥用(yong)類(lei)(lei)170余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，芳香(xiang)(xiang)油(you)類(lei)(lei)45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，油(you)脂類(lei)(lei)22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，纖維類(lei)(lei)60余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，淀(dian)粉類(lei)(lei)50余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，觀賞(shang)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)130余種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)內(nei)保留(liu)一定數量的(de)(de)(de)北(bei)極第三紀(ji)植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份，如(ru)太白(bai)紅杉、堅樺、構樹(shu)、紫荊、中(zhong)槐、酸棗、黃連木(mu)(mu)、白(bai)臘等；同(tong)時(shi)含有(you)華(hua)(hua)(hua)北(bei)平原亞地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)、遼東半(ban)島亞地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)的(de)(de)(de)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份，如(ru)楓楊(yang)、灰楸、黃連木(mu)(mu)、香(xiang)(xiang)椿、遼東櫟；含有(you)橫斷山(shan)脈(mo)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份，如(ru)華(hua)(hua)(hua)山(shan)松(song)、刺毛(mao)忍冬、羽葉丁香(xiang)(xiang)等；含有(you)青(qing)(qing)藏(zang)高原唐古拉地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份的(de)(de)(de)有(you)高山(shan)繡線菊、毛(mao)茛、大黃等；還有(you)華(hua)(hua)(hua)中(zhong)、滇、黔(qian)等地(di)(di)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)系(xi)(xi)(xi)(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份，如(ru)領春木(mu)(mu)、山(shan)白(bai)樹(shu)、椴樹(shu)等。區(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)(qu)內(nei)有(you)珍稀瀕危植(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)水(shui)青(qing)(qing)樹(shu)、連香(xiang)(xiang)樹(shu)、山(shan)白(bai)樹(shu)、大果青(qing)(qing)杄、秦嶺冷杉、羽葉丁香(xiang)(xiang)、華(hua)(hua)(hua)榛、青(qing)(qing)檀、金(jin)錢槭(qi)、水(shui)曲柳、領春木(mu)(mu)、天麻、太白(bai)紅杉、野大豆等14種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
周至(zhi)自(zi)然保(bao)護(hu)區有脊椎動物(wu)(wu)(wu)267種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其中(zhong)獸類(lei)74種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，鳥類(lei)160種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，魚類(lei)5種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，兩(liang)棲(qi)類(lei)8種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，爬行類(lei)20種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。屬國家重(zhong)點保(bao)護(hu)動物(wu)(wu)(wu)29種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，其中(zhong)Ⅰ級(ji)保(bao)護(hu)動物(wu)(wu)(wu)有金絲(si)猴、大熊貓(mao)、羚牛、豹、云豹、林(lin)麝等6種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。金絲(si)猴在(zai)區內分布集(ji)中(zhong)，數量較多(duo)，共(gong)有11群，1210只左(zuo)右(you)，平(ping)均(jun)分布密度7.14只/平(ping)方公里(li)(li)，平(ping)均(jun)家域16.8平(ping)方公里(li)(li)/群。其活(huo)(huo)動海拔高(gao)度一般在(zai)1400—2500米之(zhi)間，冬季和(he)早春從高(gao)山下降至(zhi)1500米附近落葉闊葉林(lin)帶低凹避風處，晚春及初夏(xia)由低向(xiang)高(gao)活(huo)(huo)動，盛夏(xia)則分布更高(gao)。其棲(qi)息地(di)主要在(zai)落葉闊葉林(lin)和(he)針(zhen)闊混交林(lin)內，春食嫩葉，秋(qiu)食果(guo)實，主要食物(wu)(wu)(wu)（植物(wu)(wu)(wu)）種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)57種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)，取食部位116處。
金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)為中國特(te)產(chan)珍稀動物(wu)(wu)，有川(chuan)、滇、黔(qian)3個亞(ya)種。周(zhou)至林區(qu)(qu)是川(chuan)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)分(fen)布(bu)的最北(bei)限(xian)，為全(quan)國分(fen)布(bu)密度最高地區(qu)(qu)之(zhi)一。1958年，西(xi)(xi)北(bei)大(da)學(xue)(xue)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)物(wu)(wu)系師(shi)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)和陜西(xi)(xi)省外貿局(ju)畜產(chan)公司工作人員在(zai)秦嶺(ling)發(fa)現(xian)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)。1959年，西(xi)(xi)北(bei)大(da)學(xue)(xue)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)物(wu)(wu)系劉詩峰等專家(jia)發(fa)表有關秦嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)的文章。1974年4-5月，周(zhou)至縣農林局(ju)在(zai)陜西(xi)(xi)省生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)物(wu)(wu)資(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)源(yuan)考察隊(dui)協助下，組(zu)織80余人的調(diao)查隊(dui)，對周(zhou)至秦嶺(ling)野生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)資(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)源(yuan)進行(xing)普查，發(fa)現(xian)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)909只，羚牛506頭，并在(zai)老縣城發(fa)現(xian)大(da)熊貓。1981年5月，西(xi)(xi)北(bei)大(da)學(xue)(xue)生(sheng)(sheng)(sheng)物(wu)(wu)系陳(chen)服官、閔芝蘭，陜西(xi)(xi)省動物(wu)(wu)研究所羅時有、解文治等專家(jia)對秦嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)資(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)源(yuan)情況進行(xing)專門調(diao)查，呼吁“必須(xu)盡(jin)快建(jian)立金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)自然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)”，并以《秦嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)資(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)源(yuan)及保(bao)護(hu)》為題，發(fa)出建(jian)立秦嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)(hou)(hou)自然保(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(qu)的建(jian)議。
金(jin)絲猴(hou)靈長(chang)目疣猴(hou)科，全身披著光亮(liang)如(ru)絲、長(chang)而細(xi)密的(de)(de)(de)黃(huang)棕色(se)的(de)(de)(de)毛(mao)。頸部金(jin)黃(huang)色(se)，臉青藍色(se)。雄性身長(chang)80多(duo)厘米，尾長(chang)1米，重20多(duo)千(qian)克(ke)。它通常以植(zhi)物的(de)(de)(de)葉(xie)、花(hua)、果實、嫩枝、真菌(jun)等為食(shi)。喜歡群居(ju)，每群由數十只(zhi)到上百只(zhi)；群居(ju)的(de)(de)(de)金(jin)絲猴(hou)家族內部和睦(mu)，并有不同的(de)(de)(de)社(she)會分工；夏季(ji)多(duo)在海(hai)(hai)拔高(gao)的(de)(de)(de)山地活動，冬季(ji)則(ze)轉移(yi)到海(hai)(hai)拔低的(de)(de)(de)避風處生活，全年都有交配，3～5月產仔。
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