Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Country
China
Inscribed in
1992
Criterion
(vii)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good with some concerns" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Situated in the north-west of Sichaun Province, the Huanglong valley is made up of snow-capped peaks and the easternmost of all the Chinese glaciers. In addition to its mountain landscape, diverse forest ecosystems can be found, as well as spectacular limestone formations, waterfalls and hot springs. The area also has a population of endangered animals, including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. © UNESCO
Summary
2020 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Good with some concerns
Current state and trend of VALUES
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Description of values
Outstanding mountainous scenery combined with spectacular karst formations
Criterion
(vii)
Huanglong is renowned for its beautiful mountainous scenery, with relatively undisturbed and highly diverse forest ecosystems, combined with the more spectacular localised karst formations, such as travertine pools, waterfalls and limestone shoals. Its travertine terraces and lakes are certainly unique in all of Asia, and rate among the three most outstanding examples in the world (World Heritage Committee, 2013). The highly attractive pool waters vary in colour according to their algal and bacterial content. Several mineral-rich warm geothermal springs occur, and the steep-sided valleys contain many beautiful waterfalls and lakes (MOC, 1991; UNEP-WCMC, 2011).
Extensive and diverse forest ecosystems with special plant species and several threatened and endangered animals
The property, which is partly designated as a UNESCO/MAB Biosphere Reserve, combines four floral regions – E. Asia, Himalaya, NH sub-tropical and NH tropical. With increasing altitude, the vegetation changes from mixed forest to sub-alpine coniferous forest, giving way to alpine meadows of shrubs and grasses. Some 100 species of higher plants are of interest for their rarity, endemism or ornamental and medicinal value. There are 59 mammals, 155 birds, 5 reptiles, five amphibians and two fish recorded. Notable among the many threatened mammals are the giant panda, golden snub-nosed monkey, Sichuan takin, mainland serow, common goral, argali, and three species of deer (MOC, 1991; UNEP-WCMC 2011).
Assessment information
Overall the threat level to the values of the property is low. The more significant threats are from rapidly increasing visitor numbers and burgeoning tourism facility development (particularly as it relates to water pollution and garbage management), and from the social impacts on the indigenous people accompanying the change from traditional subsistence lifestyles to a service economy based on tourism. Thus tourism remains the principal and an increasing challenge for the management authorities. Biodiversity management is weaker than tourism management in Huanglong. The forest cover has a slight decline between 2000 and 2014 (Wang, 2017). Based on recent interviews, small scaled logging poaching as well as collecting of plants and fungus still occur, other threats, such as landslides and flooding, are mostly under control (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Hunting and trapping
(Poaching of wildlife and collecting of plants)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
Weapons and hunting are banned but some poaching of furs and pelts occurs. Collecting of Alpine Stream Salamander (Batrachuperus tibetanus) happens for traditional medicinal purposes (IUCN Consultation, 2020). Some plants and fungus are collected, mainly for traditional medicinal purposes (SP China 2003), also for ornamental purposes, such as Orchidaceae spp. (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge systems that result in negative impact
(Social disruption and the loss of traditional culture of indigenous people)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
The influx of both domestic and foreign tourists has resulted in substantial loss of traditional values and practices, though there is opportunity to convey local customs to visitors and derive benefit from the sale of locally manufactured handicrafts and souvenirs (WHC/IUCN 1998; SP China 2003; WCMC 2011).
Avalanches/ Landslides, Storms/Flooding
(Landslides and floods)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
High magnitude/low frequency hazard events such as flooding and land slides occur naturally, but risks to people and buildings have been reduced by installation of control structures (SP China 2003). However, capacity of the management body on disaster risk management is yet to be enhanced (IUCN Consultation, 2014).
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation
(Rapidly increasing visitor numbers and tourist facility development.)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Visitor numbers have increased dramatically especially since inscription of the property from 70,000 per year in 1990 to more than 800,000 in 2001, and to 2,090,000 in 2011. In the peak season in summer, tourist numbers can reach more than 20,000/day (Huanglong official website, 2017). Garbage and water pollution, and damage of calicified ponds by treading are the main pressures (Zhang, 2011). Some mitigation of impacts has occurred through limiting hotel and other facility development inside the property, improved visitor management and mitigation of impacts from sewage and garbage disposal. In 2017, the management body decided to close down certain areas from tourists (IUCN consultation, 2017). However, since the August 8 2017 earthquake in nearby Jiuzhaigou, a significant decrease of tourists has occurred, visitation of the property was 321,600 in 2018, however increased to 620,900 in 2019 (State Party of China 2018; 2019). Recent construction e.g. the Xueshanliang Tunnel (between 2012 and 2017), has caused some pollution within the manageable range (Feng, 2018), but since it facilitates the access to the site, more impact from increasing tourists is expected.
Forestry/ Wood production, Livestock Farming / Grazing
(Agriculture, farming and forestry)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Mining and commercial logging are banned and former subsistence agriculture and livestock grazing have been largely replaced by the tourist industry. There are still some low-level activities such as firewood collection and summer grazing on high-altitude pastures MOC 1991; IUCN 1992; WHC/IUCN 1998; SP China 2003). Grazing especially those activities on high-altitude also causes water source pollution but since 2018 is prohibited and monitored under joint patrols (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Water Pollution, Solid Waste
(Pollution of waterways)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
Previously, untreated waste disposal from residences in particular led to pollution of rivers and lakes. Improved waste disposal and toilet facilities were considered to have lowered the level of threat (WHC/IUCN 1998; SP China 2003), but recent findings (Zhang et al. 2011, Zhang et al. 2017, Tang 2018) on increasing phosphate concentration, algae growth and proliferation of anaerobic bacteria indicate that pollution is still a major threat to the waterways and travertine system.
Earthquakes and forest fires, should they happen near the site, could severely affect or even substantially damage the values of the site. The capacity of the site to cope with these risks needs to be enhanced. Being home to symbolic giant pandas, Huanglong's bamboo thickets bloom periodically, this natural phenomenon was not a big concern when the pandas could move freely, but nowadays with the fragmentation of habitats, there will be a need of further research and monitoring on this.
Earthquakes/ Tsunamis
(Earthquakes)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
The site is located in the Minshan Fault Zone, a joint area of three geotectonic units with several faults. Major earthquakes have happened in recent history, including the 1976 Songpan-Pingwu earthquake at M 7.2. While tectonic activities are the ultimate driving forces behind the landscape and OUV of the site, new earthquakes, if close enough to the site, could severely affect its values. Earthquake risk management capacity at the site still needs to be substantially enhanced. The August 8 2017 earthquake in nearby Jiuzhaigou did not cause damage to this site (IUCN consultation, 2017), while some unstable rock mass is to be secured (Zeng, 2019).
Problematic Native Species
(Blossom of bamboo)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Blossom of bamboo especially Fargesia spp. is another natural disaster affecting the stability of Huanglong's ecosystem, these periodic blossom may cause a food crisis for giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), resulting death or migration out of the reserve, reducing the population of giant pandas.
Fire/ Fire Suppression
(Forest fire)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
With 65.8% of forest coverage and 88.9% of vegetation coverage, the site is substantially full of fuel. Besides the natural reasons such as lightning, human activities plays a big role in causing forest fires e.g. the one of 27 Feburary 2016 in nearby Jiuzhaigou which affected 1.32 acre of oaks and shrubs. The global warming, as well as the expansion of roads, communication lines and other facilities within and outside the site also increase the chance. Enhancement of forest fire risk management capacity at the site is needed (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Threats to the values of the property are assessed overall as being low. Most concern relates to the rapidly increasing number of visitors and the burgeoning development of tourism facilities and services, and the resultant water pollution as well as destruction of travertine system. Also of concern are the impacts on the culture and society of the indigenous people accompanying the fundamental change from a traditional subsistence lifestyle to a modern service economy based on tourism. The site is located in a global hotspot area of earthquake and landslides and threats from natural disasters have not been fully incorporated into the management in the past and disaster risk management capacity is yet to be enhanced. Threats of less concern relate to land and resource uses and, poaching of wildlife, landslides and floods. A baseline survey of biodiversity was done pre-2016, and an Implementation Plan for Protection was created in late-2017 by the property.
Management system
Management plan exists but is probably due for revision (State Party of China, 2003). The rising concern after the 2008 earthquake relates to natural disasters and the need for capacity building in Disaster Risk Management.
Effectiveness of management system
Overall the management is reported as being effective, but there are reports of the need for staff capacity building (State Party of China, 2003). During the 2010 MAB ten-year evaluation, the following issues regarding management were raised: 1) adjust zonation to meet conservation needs; 2) improve monitoring and research on main conservation targets; 3) design wildlife over- and underpasses across roads; 4) enhance law enforcement on illegal mining, logging etc.; 5) reinforce collaboration with local communities; 6) strengthening international collaborations. (MAB 2010). The property has both status of a scenic park and a nature reserve, the latter being promoted at the national level only since 2016 (IUCN consultation, 2017).
Boundaries
The State Party considers the existing boundaries to be adequate (State Party of China, 2003). Currently, Huanglong, has multiple designations in addition to its World Heritage status including national nature reserve, national forest park, national scenic and historical area, and biosphere reserve. The management objectives associated with those designations are overlapping to some extent and sometimes conflicting, and it is unclear which set of objectives should be prioritized when conflicts occur (Tian et al., 2019). As of 2020, the site will be encompassed in the newly formed Giant Panda National Park (Huang et al., 2020), it remains to be seen how this will impact the boundaries of the site.
Integration into regional and national planning systems
Some level of integration exists, especially in regional tourism development. The Sichuan WH Mangement Bureau is also working on communication of WH sites in the province. On the 17th October, 2019 NFGA (National Foresty and Grassland Adminstration) published the draft for public comments of Giant Panda National Park Master Plan, part of the site is in the Giant Panda National Park. The extent to which the conservation of the World Heritage values of Huanglong will be integrated into the management framework of the Giant Panda National Park is still yet to be objectively assessed and is therefore deemed data deficient.
Relationships with local people
Local population are employed in the staffing of the property (MOC 1991; State Party of China). Between 2002-2009, the property provided about $20 million funding to support community development and education and in return raised awareness of local communities on conservation. A network of community participation in conservation has been established (MAB 2010). No more recent information is available.
Legal framework
The legal and regulatory framework is considered to be adequate (State Party of China, 2003). There were some concerns regarding the adequacy of enforcement at the time of inscription, see 'Law enforcement' below for more details.
Law enforcement
While there is limited data available about the effectiveness of enforcement, reports about continued poaching, collecting of plants and fungus as well as water pollution remaining a major threat to the waterways and travertine system (IUCN consultation, 2017; Zhang et al., 2011, Zhang et al. 2011, Zhang et al. 2017, Tang 2018) suggest that the effectiveness of enforcement is of some concern. Grazing especially those activities on high-altitude causing water source pollution is prohibited and monitored under joint patrols (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Implementation of Committee decisions and recommendations
The WH Committee has recommended that the Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou properties be merged into a single Min Shan Mountain property. Although expressing interest in this, the authorities have not made any progress because of the difficulties of linking two administrations and the lack of a scientific basis for the merger. Nor has any attempt been made to implement the Committee’s recommendation that a species conservation status report be prepared and consideration be given to inscribing the property on biodiversity grounds (IUCN 1992; WHC/IUCN 1998; State Party of China, 2003). The situation remains unchanged in 2020 while on the other hand, part of the site is merging into the newly established Giant Panda National Park.
Sustainable use
There is limited data available about the sustainable use of natural resources in the property. However, concerns have been raised about some continued poaching, water pollution and reduction of surface water flow (Zhang, 2015), while grazing are better controlled comparing with previous years, and cleaning-up of algae as well as repairing of trenches and holes on travertine pools are periodically implemented (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Sustainable finance
The budget is regarded as adequate (State Party of China, 2003).
Staff capacity, training, and development
More professional and technical training is required, especially in disaster risk management (WHC/IUCN 1998; SWP China 2003).
Education and interpretation programs
The property designed a series of basis education programs under the name of Nature Academy, with programs such as Orchids of Huanglong and Travertine Landscape of Huanglong, which are considered to be adequate, but further enrichment is required (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Tourism and visitation management
Although recent information is currently lacking, tourism likely remains a major challenge for management (WHC/IUCN 1998; WCMC 2011).
Monitoring
Water quality, and weather records are regularly measured and the status of wildlife populations is monitored over long term intervals. The monitoring program needs expanding (WHC/IUCN 1998; State Party of China, 2003). Camera traps are being applied since 2013, but biodiversity monitoring needs to be more systematic.
Research
Research facilities exist in the property and there is good collaborative research with national and international collaborators (WHC/IUCN 1998; State Party of China, 2003).
In general, the protection and management are assessed as of some concern, despite a number of aspects of the management being mostly effective. The greatest challenge requiring vigilance and active intervention is that relating to on-going tourism development and the rising concern of natural disaster risks. More professional training and employment of technically qualified staff are required for this and other management operations. Consideration should be given to revising the management plan and to strengthening the capability to enforce legal and regulatory provisions. The authorities have still not sufficiently addressed the WH Committee recommendations regarding unification of the property with Jiuzhaigou. Protection and management of biodiversity is still relatively weak compared to other protected areas in the region but some improvements are taking place especially on monitoring of wildlife. The Giant Panda National Park, which will encompass at least part of the site as of 2020, which aims to standardize conservation across the wider region will hopefully bring benefits towards the conservation of the site's World Heritage values, although this remains to be seen.
Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site
Some Concern
There is little information on the effectiveness of protection in addressing threats in the buffer zone and surrounding land. It appears that there is only low-level involvement or collaboration by the management authorities beyond the property (State Party of China, 2003).
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
The outstanding scenic and aesthetic values and attributes of the property and the overall state of the natural landscape and ecosystems remain essentially intact and of low concern. There are no significant threats to the integrity of the property and the natural values remain in a stable state. Careful monitoring and judicious management intervention are required, however, especially with regard to tourism development and water pollution which, if unchecked, could have serious consequences for the many sensitive and vulnerable natural elements in the outstanding landscapes and wetlands of the property.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Low Concern
Trend
Stable
Forest ecosystems appear largely intact and continue to provide excellent habitat for the numerous species of threatened and endangered biota. However, biodiversity values and attributes of the property remain insufficiently assessed, and management of the property has been focusing on tourism rather than biodiversity protection. A baseline survey of biodiversity was done pre-2016, and an Implementation Plan for Protection was created in late-2017, with part of the site merging into the Giant Panda National Park, enhancement on protection and management of biodiversity is expected.
Additional information
Direct employment,
Provision of jobs
local people are employed full-time and almost as many part-time in the property.
95% of about 600 regular staff in the property is local people, the authorities provided a vast variety of jobs to the local community (IUCN consultation, 2020).
Outdoor recreation and tourism
Tourism development has transformed the local and regional economy.
Tourist numbers have been continuously increasing in Huanglong til August 2017, the number already reached over 1 million. After the 2017 Jiuzhaigou earthquake a significant decrease of tourists occurs but a further increase is expected. Water pollution and solid waste littering is the biggest pressure, which has reduced the value to tourist resources (IUCN consultation, 2017), some management decisions are taken to control the waterway pollution and conserve the travertine system (IUCN consultation, 2020).
History and tradition
Being part of the Long March of the Red Army before WWII, Huanglong holds its cultural and spiritual values.
The authorities constructed a Red Army monument in Yuanbao Mt. of Chuanzhusi township, located nearby the entrance of site, promoting its red tourism (tourism of revolution), and a reconstruction was done in recent years.
Existence of the World Heritage property has been extremely beneficial to the local community through employment, cash income, and the opportunity to promote and maintain the local culture and traditional practices. This has improved the socio-economic well-being of the local people and provided an outlet for expression of their culture. The regional economy has flourished in response to tourism development. Outstanding natural values and attributes of the property have benefited from improved protection, conservation and management based on high standards of the World Heritage Convention.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huanglong Nature Reserve, Chengdu Institute of Biology and Harvard University, collaboration on conservation of plants in China and North America | Research, capacity building and education on plant diversity conservation | |
| 2 | Huanglong Nature Reserve | Mammal monitoring using infrared camera traps | |
| 3 | Huanglong Nature Reserve | Ecotourism | |
| 4 | Huanglong Nature Reserve and Sichuan Forest Academy | Forest pest survey | |
| 5 | Huanglong Nature Reserve and research institutions | Plant species survey | |
| 6 | Southwest University of Science and Technology | Detection of underground caves in Zhengyan Pool as sedimentary samples of travertine system in Huanglong Scenic Area | |
| 7 | Chengdu Center of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Sichuan Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources | Study on water cycle characteristics and landscape conservation technology of Huanglong National Geopark | |
| 8 | Huanglong Nature Reserve and Beijing Botanical Garden | Off-site conservation of Cypripedium spp. | |
| 9 | Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences | PhD workstation of botany |
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
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| 2 |
Feng Wensheng, et al. 2018. Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation of Environmental Pollution Degree of Scenic Spots due to Tunnel Construction, Environmental Engineering v.36; No. 235.01: 173-177+182.
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| 3 |
Huang, Q., Fei, Y., Yang, H., Gu, X., & Songer, M. (2020). Giant Panda National Park, a step towards streamlining protected areas and cohesive conservation management in China. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, e00947.
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| 4 |
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area Official Website, (n.d.) Available at: http://www.huanglong.com. Accessed March 2020.
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| 5 |
IUCN 1992. World Heritage Nomination – IUCN Technical Evaluation,Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area (China). In: IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 1992, IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List. [online] Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/638/documents/ Accessed 25 November 2020.
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| 6 |
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| 7 |
Man and Biosphere, 2010. Ten Year Evaluation of Huaglong Man and Biosphere Reserve. Man and Biosphere News Letter. (in Chinese)
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| 8 |
NFGA 2019. Giant Panda National Park Master Plan. [online] China: National Foresty and Grassland Adminstration (NFGA), pp.1-95. Available at: <http://www.forestry.gov.cn/html/main/main_4461/201910171119…; [Accessed 31 March 2020].
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