East Dongting Lake Nature Reserve located in Yueyang city, Hunan Province of China, was found in 1982, became wetland of international importance in 1992, promoted to national nature reserve in 1994. the reserve covers an area of 1576.28 km2, including a core area of 332.86 km2, a buffer area of 323.69 km2 and an experimental area of 919.72km2.
Dongting Lake is the second largest fresh water lake in China. It plays an important role in water conservation, water control, water quality improvement, climate regulation and wetland biodiversity conservation. Dongting Lake is the stomach of the Yangtze River. It can regulate the water and ease the drought and flood for the Yangtze River, especially letting Wuhan city out of danger of flood.
Hunan Eastern Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve is suited in Asian bird migration passage, which plays an important role in Northeast Asia crane migration network and Australia Wading bird migration network, providing a safe place for bird wintering, breeding, and having a rest.
Hunan Eastern Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve has unique ecological system and rich natural resources, and its species has the characteristics of ancient, unique, high degree of rare. To scientific investigation, here about 352 species of birds had been recorded, including 7 species of first class national protected birds, such as sibrian crane, hooded crane, oriental white stork, black stork, great bustard, scaly-sided merganser, white -tailed sea eagle. 45 species of Second class national protected birds, including tundra swan, eurasian spoonbill, great white-fronted goose and so on. There also has 117 species of fish, with 2 species of the first class national protected fish, that is, Chinese sturgeon, Chinese paddle fish, 2 species of the second class national protected fish-Eel, mullet. In addition, 1186 species of wild plants and domesticated plants are here, containing 400 species of aquatic plants, 3 first class national protected plants, 31 second national protected plants. Moreover, it has 2 species of freshwater mammal- dolphin, Yangtze finless porpoise and other 68 species of aquatics. The number of wintering population of lesser white fronted goose accounted for over 70% of the world.
So, Hunan Eastern Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve is an important wintering, breeding and stopover area for migrant birds. Annual winter, the number of bird living here is 100000-170000. It is the heaven and paradise for birds. The area plays an important role in Northeast Asia crane migration network, East Asia Goose and Duck migration network and Australia Wading bird migration network.
