Overview of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture — Geographical Environment (Part 2)
Section 2: Natural Resources. The uniquely favorable mountainous environment and climate of warm winters, cool summers, and four distinct seasons make the Xiangxi region rich in flora and natural resources. I. Wild Plants. To date, 2,206 species of vascular plants belonging to 897 genera in 209 families have been identified. Among them are 1,980 species of seed plants in 820 genera and 174 families, and ferns...
This article has been compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · City Overview section). Some administrative divisions, population, socioeconomic data, and policy information may be outdated and are for reference only; for the latest situation, please refer to official releases by the local government and scenic areas.
Section 2 Products and Resources
The uniquely favorable mountainous environment and the climate conditions of warm winters and cool summers with four distinct seasons have made all things flourish in the Xiangxi region, with abundant products and resources.
I. Wild Plants
The wild plants that have been identified so far include 209 families, 897 genera, and 2,206 species of vascular plants. Among them, seed plants number 174 families, 820 genera, and 1,980 species; ferns number 35 families, 77 genera, and 226 species. They occupy an important position in the flora of Hunan Province, with the number of genera accounting for 72% of the provincial total and the number of species accounting for 51%. Among the wild plants, woody plants are mainly of the pine, fir, cypress, tea, spurge, oak, camphor, and rose families; herbaceous plants are mostly of the grass, nettle, aster, and sedge families. Since the Yanshan Movement established the modern topography, the Quaternary glacial period had relatively little impact on the prefecture, so a large number of ancient plant species and genera have been preserved, with many monotypic and small genera, totaling 173 genera, accounting for 19.3% of the total genera. Among the endemic, relict, monotypic, and oligotypic genera unique to China, Hunan Province has 63 genera, and Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture has more than 37 genera, accounting for 58.7% of the provincial total. World-famous relict plants such as dawn redwood, dove tree, umbrella flower tree, Bretschneidera, tulip tree, camptotheca, eucommia, cyclocarya, emmenopterys, and pteroceltis are all distributed within Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture. Plants under first-class national protection include 7 species: ginkgo, Chinese yew, southern Chinese yew, dove tree, smooth-leaved dove tree, dawn redwood, and Bretschneidera. Plants under second-class national protection include 28 species: Cephalotaxus fortunei, Fokienia hodginsii, Pseudotsuga sinensis, Torreya grandis, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Torreya fargesii, camphor, Machilus, Phoebe bournei, nanmu, Ormosia henryi, Semiliquidambar cathayensis, Zenia insignis, tulip tree, Magnolia officinalis, Magnolia officinalis var. biloba, Tetracentron sinense, Tsoongiodendron odorum, Toona ciliata var. pubescens, Toona ciliata, camptotheca, emmenopterys, Phellodendron chinense, Styrax tonkinensis, umbrella flower tree, Zelkova serrata, Gleditsia vestita, and Coptis chinensis. Plants under key protection in Hunan Province include 24 species: Amentotaxus argotaenia, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Dipteronia sinensis, Actinidia chinensis, Aesculus wilsonii, Kalopanax septemlobus, Cyclobalanopsis fleuryi, Fagus longipetiolata, Poliothyrsis sinensis, Phyllostachys bambusoides f. lacrima-deae, Phyllostachys nigra, Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, Carya hunanensis, Cyclocarya paliurus, Cinnamomum bodinieri, Cinnamomum wilsonii, Phoebe faberi, Lagerstroemia excelsa, Manglietia insignis, Manglietia patungensis, Michelia martinii, Michelia chapensis, Tapiscia sinensis, and Pteroceltis tatarinowii. The prefecture has 985 species of medicinal plants, among which 19 species are nationally protected precious medicinal plants, including eucommia, ginkgo, Magnolia officinalis, Phellodendron, Coptis chinensis, Evodia, Schisandra, Forsythia, camphor, walnut, Polygonatum, Gastrodia, Lithospermum, Dendrobium, Longmauritius, Asparagus, Osmanthus, Dioscorea, and Dioscorea zingiberensis. The prefecture has 256 species of oil plants with seed oil content greater than 10%, 179 species of fiber plants, over 100 species of tanning plants, over 230 species of starch and sugar plants, 383 species of ornamental plants in 91 families and 216 genera, over 60 species of vitamin plants, and 12 species of pigment plants.
II. Wild Animals
Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture has a mild climate and abundant vegetation, extremely suitable for the reproduction and survival of various animals, with rich wild animal resources. However, with population growth and frequent production activities, forests have decreased, vegetation has been damaged to varying degrees, and the species and numbers of wild animals have shown a declining trend. After the 1980s, as the state attached great importance to the ecological environment and ecological construction projects were gradually implemented, the ecological environment of the prefecture recovered and improved, gradually forming a paradise for birds, beasts, and insects again. According to surveys of wild animal and plant resources in 1991 and 1999, the prefecture has more than 201 species of vertebrates in 28 orders and 64 families, including 48 species of mammals in 8 orders and 20 families, 72 species of birds in 9 orders and 22 families, 18 species of reptiles in 2 orders and 5 families, 18 species of amphibians in 2 orders and 5 families, and 45 species of fish in 7 orders and 12 families. Forest insects number 640 species in 21 orders and 131 families, among which natural enemy resources of forest insects number 159 species in 14 orders and 70 families. The faunal composition of these wild animals is complex. In terms of zoogeographic regionalization, the prefecture belongs to the Oriental Realm, Central China Region, Western Mountain Plateau Sub-region. Among the 48 species of mammals, 36 species belong to the Oriental Realm, accounting for 75%; 12 species belong to the Palaearctic Realm, accounting for 25%. Among the 72 species of birds, apart from widespread species, 32 species belong to the Oriental Realm and 12 species belong to the Palaearctic Realm.
Among the wild animals, there are many rare species and many endangered species. Animals under first-class national protection include 5 species: golden eagle, clouded leopard, leopard, white-necked long-tailed pheasant, and Chinese merganser. Animals under second-class national protection include 37 species: macaque, large Indian civet, small Indian civet, black bear, brown bear, dhole, pangolin, yellow-throated marten, otter, forest musk deer, sambar deer, serow, white-crowned long-tailed pheasant, silver pheasant, red-bellied tragopan, koklass pheasant, golden pheasant, mandarin duck, Eurasian hobby, cinereous vulture, Himalayan griffon vulture, black kite, Eurasian sparrowhawk, northern goshawk, shikra, Chinese sparrowhawk, marsh owl, short-eared owl, long-eared owl, eagle owl, tawny owl, collared scops owl, greater coucal, collared owlet, barred owlet, giant salamander, and tiger frog. Animals under key protection in Hunan Province include more than 200 species: ring-necked pheasant, Chinese bamboo partridge, hwamei, little egret, pond heron, black-spotted frog, pond frog, spiny-bellied frog, king rat snake, black-browed rat snake, gray rat snake, Oriental rat snake, Chinese cobra, many-banded krait, king cobra, five-paced pit viper, sharp-nosed pit viper, masked palm civet, Nepal porcupine, brown flying squirrel, mud pig, ferret badger, leopard cat, bamboo rat, and wild boar. There are 11 species of nationally protected precious medicinal animals of grades one, two, and three. Among these animals, 14 species are listed as world endangered wild animals.
III. Mineral Resources
The prefecture has a complex geological structure and abundant mineral resources. To date, 485 mineral deposits and 63 mineral types have been identified. Among them, 35 mineral types have proven reserves, with 21 large deposits, 26 medium deposits, 73 small deposits, 374 mineral occurrences, and 6 geothermal mineral water sites. The mineral resources fall into 3 major categories. Energy minerals. These include coal, stone coal, and uranium. Coal is mainly distributed in Longshan, Yongshun, Baojing, and Luxi. Stone coal is mainly distributed in Fenghuang, Guzhang, Huayuan, Jishou, and Luxi. Uranium is mainly distributed in Guzhang, Luxi, and Jishou. Metallic minerals. These include 11 types: iron, manganese, vanadium, lead, zinc, bauxite, copper, magnesian dolomite, mercury, cadmium, and uranium, distributed across 8 counties and cities. Non-metallic minerals. These include 15 types: diamond, pyrite, talc, gypsum, fluorite, cement limestone, dolomite, silica, black talc clay, potassium-bearing shale, purple sand ceramic clay, molding sand, diabase, marble, and phosphate.
IV. Cultivated Products
The beautiful natural environment and uniquely favorable geographical conditions have nurtured the people of Xiangxi, and the hardworking, brave, and wise people of all ethnic groups in Xiangxi have fully utilized the advantages bestowed by nature to develop, cultivate, and create cultivated products rich in Xiangxi characteristics.
(1) Food Crops
The main varieties include rice, corn, tubers, wheat, beans, as well as sorghum, millet, and buckwheat.
Rice. Its sown area and output rank first among all grain crops. In the Qing Dynasty, recorded local varieties numbered 34. During the Republic of China period, varieties increased. After the founding of New China, tall-stalked rice was gradually replaced by dwarf rice, and by 1975 the coverage rate of dwarf rice reached over 90%. In 1976, three-line hybrid rice began to be promoted, and in 1995, two-line hybrid rice was trial-planted. In 2005, the prefecture's rice sown area was 1,388,100 mu, of which high-quality rice accounted for 1,027,800 mu.
Corn. Planted throughout the prefecture. In 1988, improved hybrid corn varieties and early-sowing seedling transplanting began to be promoted throughout the prefecture, and corn yields increased significantly. The main varieties planted include Xiangshui Dan No. 1 (Xiangyu No. 1), No. 2, and Xiangfeng Dan No. 1, bred in Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture. In 2005, the prefecture's corn sown area was 433,800 mu, of which high-quality, high-yield early-sown corn accounted for 313,700 mu.
Tubers are mainly sweet potato and potato. The main sweet potato varieties planted are Shengli Bai, Xiangnong Hongpi, Nanshu 88, and Guangdong Baipi. In 2005, the sweet potato planting area was 349,800 mu. For potatoes, the Majiako variety has the widest planting area, and virus-free potatoes have been comprehensively promoted. In 2005, the potato planting area was 299,100 mu, of which virus-free potatoes accounted for 62,000 mu.
The main types of wheat are wheat, barley, and oats. The main types of beans are soybeans, mung beans, broad beans, peas, and red beans. The annual output of wheat and beans is 35,000 tons.
(2) Cash Crops
The region is rich in cash crop resources, with a long history of cultivation. During the Tang and Song dynasties, tea, coptis, gallnut, rhinoceros horn, cinnabar, and hemp-silk fabrics were among the local products paid as tribute. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, tea, ramie, silk fabrics, native indigo, fruits, Chinese medicinal herbs, and sun-cured tobacco were famous specialty products offered as official tribute. Up to the present, there are even more famous and excellent specialty products, which can be divided into five major categories: oil crops, tea, tobacco leaves, fruits, and fiber crops.
Oil crops. These mainly include tung tree, oil tea, rapeseed, peanut, sesame, as well as sunflower and perilla seed. This place was once known as the "Land of Golden Tung Oil." In 1958, the tung forest area was 1.44 million mu, and tung oil output was 168,000 dan. Later, due to various reasons, the tung forest area decreased year by year, and output declined. Tea oil is a superior grade among edible oils, priced three to four times higher than other edible oils. People here often use tea oil to simmer pine mushrooms to make mushroom oil, which serves as a top-grade gift for guests. Rapeseed has existed in the prefecture since ancient times. In 2005, the planting area was 660,800 mu, second only to rice, with a total rapeseed output of 63,800 tons.
Tea. All parts of the prefecture abound in high-quality tea, with a long history. Guzhang tea in particular was already offered as tribute during the Tang Dynasty. Guzhang Maojian was rated as a provincial-level and national-level famous tea in 1982, and won the gold award at the First National Food Expo in 1988. "Seven-Leaf Ginseng Tea" won the gold award at the Second Beijing International Expo in 1991. In addition, Baojing Lanzhen Tea, Golden Tea, and Yongshun Longze Tea have also been rated as provincial-level and ministerial-level quality products.
Tobacco leaves. Xiangxi is suitable for growing tobacco. There are three types: sun-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, and aromatic tobacco. Sun-cured tobacco is a locally grown tobacco variety, with Xiaohuaqing being the best in quality. Xiangxi red sun-cured tobacco is one of the top ten famous sun-cured tobaccos in the country, selling well nationwide and exported to Britain, the United States, and Southeast Asian countries. Flue-cured tobacco was introduced for cultivation in 1958, with more than 20 varieties successively. Aromatic tobacco is a sun-cured type used as a blending ingredient for mixed-type cigarettes, introduced in 1985. Tobacco production is an important pillar industry of Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture. In 2005, the planting area was 234,000 mu, with a total output of 25,000 tons.
Fruits. The prefecture abounds in fruits, which have existed since ancient times. They are divided into citrus, deciduous fruits, and fruit-type melons. For citrus, there are 25 superior local varieties, and 42 varieties have been introduced successively. Among citrus, Wuling ponkan is the finest, ranking first in China's citrus evaluations and selling well nationwide. In 2005, the prefecture's ponkan planting area was 550,000 mu, with an output of 350,000 tons and an output value of 400 million yuan. Deciduous fruits include peach, pear, plum, apricot, persimmon, jujube, pomegranate, grape, and kiwifruit. Fruit-type melons mainly include watermelon, muskmelon (fragrant melon), and vegetable melon.
Fiber crops include ramie, cotton, and others.
(3) Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture
The prefecture has a mild and humid climate, rich in pasture, feed, and water resources, with a long history of animal husbandry and fishery and a wide variety of species.
Traditional livestock breeds mainly include pigs, farm cattle, sheep, rabbits, horses, donkeys, mules, and deer. In Xiangxi, pigs rank first among the six domestic animals and are the most commonly raised. Through long-term selective breeding, among the many varieties, Huayuan Black Pig and Pushi Iron-Bone Black Pig are the best, forming local fine breeds with Xiangxi characteristics. After the founding of New China, the breeds changed greatly, with various improved pig breeds replacing local ones. Farm cattle in Xiangxi are both a source of animal power for production and labor in the vast rural areas and a source of meat. Mountainous areas mostly raise yellow cattle, while plains mostly raise water buffalo. The famous fine breed is the Xiangxi yellow cattle. Sheep are the most widely raised herbivorous livestock in the mountainous areas of Xiangxi. Before 1949, the breeds were uniform and output was low. After the founding of New China, continuous improvement and the introduction of fine breeds led to rapid development.
For poultry, people generally prefer raising chickens, ducks, and geese, which are an important source of household sideline income for farming families. The local partridge duck is the most famous. Traditional local breeds were small in size and laid few eggs. Starting in 1958, fine breeds were introduced and gradually came to occupy the vast majority of the prefecture's market.
Xiangxi is rich in aquatic resources, with especially many fish species. Artificial aquaculture mainly includes traditional fish such as grass carp, silver carp, common carp, crucian carp, loach, black carp, grass carp, and bighead carp. With the progress of the times, breeding methods and species have been continuously introduced and selected for improvement, and some fine varieties have developed within the region, such as bream, channel catfish, and snakehead. Special aquaculture has also emerged, such as shrimp, eel, loach, and turtle.