Final Report - Asian Development Bank

TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 15
7. The success of the Project will be measured in terms of biodiversity conservation trends, impacts
and outcomes in the Project Area and in particular the CDA which comprises 87% of the PA’s land area but
only about 20% of its population. The major tourism investments proposed for the ex-situ area are viewed
as instruments – or means to an end -- for achieving sustainable biodiversity conservation impacts and
outcomes throughout the PA but especially in the CDA. The CDA activities focus on livelihood improvement
on collective forest lands (that total 8,100ha) and on improved forest cover and habitat restoration on State
Forest Lands.
A. Physical Resources
DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
8. The PA has a monsoon climate area with an average rainfall of 900~1000mm in high-precipitation
years. Its annual average temperature ranges from 8 degrees to10 degrees. The area enjoy about 2,000 to
2,222 hours sunshine with a frost-free period between 200 and 240 days every year. Northwest wind is the
dominant wind.
9. Ambient air quality monitoring results indicate that daily average concentration of NO2 to be below
Grade I of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB3095-1996). However, sixty percent of the daily
average concentrations of SO2 exceeded the same standard at Jinniuping station. PM10 was the main air
pollutant at all the three monitoring stations with an exceeding of 100%. It is believed to be caused by
smoke emissons from local households and industry.
10. The Qinling Mountains influence the water resources of both the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. The
northern slopes supply water to the Yellow River system, which flows to the dry northern parts of the
country. Over 90% of Qinling Mountains have been degraded through inappropriate farming, logging,
overuse of natural resources, destructive mining operations, as well as pollution from solid waste and agrochemicals
over many decades. As a result, water resource quality is in serious decline.
11. There are two major rivers in the PA, i.e. Tianyu River and Chiyu River. Water quality of Tianyu
River has been monitoring by the Xi’an Municipal Environmental Monitoring Central Station (XMEMCS) for
20years at two permanent stations, Results indicate that water quality of Tianyu River meets the Class I
water standard – water from natural sources, except coliform bacteria associated with the discharge of
human and animals waste.
12. Groundwater from Dianzhen Township the site of the Botanical Garden meets Grade III standard of
Quality Standard for Groundwater (GB/T14848-1993), except ammonia (NH3-N) and coliform. It is believed
that the relatively high concentration of NH3-N may be associated with the local agricultural activities
something that the Botanical Garden will positively impact through reduced nitrogenous fertilizer use.
13. QM is biologically rich and globally significant, with many endangered rare and/or endemic plant
and animal species including the Giant Panda, Takin, Snub-nosed Golden Monkey, and Crested Ibis
(national bird of Japan). The mountains are characterized by very high levels of endemic biodiversity found
in temperate and sub-tropical ecosystems, as well as a vertical spectrum of vegetation types; seventy
percent of all vegetation types in the PRC are represented.
14. In the project area, there are six species which are globally threatened including four amphibians
and two reptiles. Two species of fish are vulnerable, one of which is protected in Shaanxi, the other is listed
as a national red data book as class II. Noted species in the Tianyu River of concern, include the
Manchurian Trout, the Giant Salamander and the Soft-Shelled Tortoise.
15. There are a number of national nature reserves (NNR) in the QM area. Five of them are located on
the northern slope including Niubeiliang NNR, Zhouzhi NNR, Taibaishan NNR, Zhouzhi Old Town Nature
Reserve and the Heihe Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve. The total area of the five nature reserves
amounts to 1541.92 square kilometer, 16.16% of the total area (9282 square kilometer) of northern slope of
QM. Zhouzhi NNR is about 31 km to the southwest of the PA. Heihe Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve is
the closest to the PA but is still 3 to 5km distant the PA does not overlap or adjoin any of the existing nature
reserves.
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