Ningxia Baijitan National Nature Reserve in Lingwu City, Yinchuan

Ningxia Baijitan National Nature Reserve (宁夏灵武白芨滩国家级自然保护区), located in the northeastern part of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (宁夏回族自治区), is an important protected area that plays a significant role in preserving desert ecosystems and the biodiversity of the region. It is situated near the edge of the Maowusu Desert (毛乌苏沙地), with a total area of 74,843 hectares. The reserve is well-known for its desert shrubland ecosystems and the protection of species like Nitraria tangutorum (柠条) and Tamarix ramosissima (猫头刺). It was designated a national-level nature reserve in April 2000 and is one of the most vital ecological areas in northern China.

General Overview

• Location: Lingwu City, Yinchuan (宁夏), Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (宁夏回族自治区)

• Total Area: 74,843 hectares

• Designation: National-level Nature Reserve

• Main Protected Species: Nitraria tangutorum (柠条), Tamarix ramosissima (猫头刺)

• Climate: Continental monsoon climate

Historical Development

The history of the Baijitan Nature Reserve (白芨滩自然保护区) began in 1953, when it was first established. Over the years, the area underwent several upgrades in status:

• In 1985, it was recognized as a county-level nature reserve.

• By 1986, it was promoted to a provincial-level nature reserve.

• In 2000, the reserve was officially designated as a national-level nature reserve due to its ecological significance and the diverse species it supports.

Geographic Location and Environment

Location and Coordinates

The Ningxia Baijitan National Nature Reserve is strategically located near Ningxia Hedong Airport (宁夏河东机场), making it accessible for visitors traveling to the region. The northern boundary of the reserve is only 10 kilometers from Yinchuan City (银川市), while the western boundary is located 5-10 kilometers from the Yellow River (黄河). Its geographical coordinates are:

• Longitude: 106°20′22″ ~ 106°37′19″

• Latitude: 37°49′05″ ~ 38°20′54″

Climate

The reserve is situated on the Ordos Plateau (鄂尔多斯台地) at an elevation of 1,250 meters, and it experiences a continental monsoon climate. This climate is characterized by:

• Cold winters and short, hot summers.

• Distinct seasons, with spring arriving late and autumn coming early.

• Low annual rainfall: 206.2-255.2mm, mostly concentrated in the summer months (July-September).

• Strong evaporation: Annual evaporation reaches 1,933.3mm.

• Long sunshine hours: The reserve receives 3,080.2 hours of sunlight annually.

Soil Composition

The reserve’s soil is predominantly grey calcisol (灰钙土), a type of alkaline soil that supports the unique desert vegetation. Various subtypes of grey calcisol are found within the reserve, including:

• Ordinary grey calcisol (普通灰钙土)

• Saline grey calcisol (底盐灰钙土)

• Erosion grey calcisol (侵蚀性灰钙土)

• Mountain grey calcisol (山地灰钙土)

Protected Areas and Core Zones

The Baijitan Nature Reserve is divided into different management zones:

• Core Area: 31,318 hectares, focusing on the preservation of critical ecosystems.

• Buffer Zone: 18,606 hectares, surrounding the core area to reduce human impact.

• Experimental Area: 24,919 hectares, designated for ecological research and sustainable management practices.

The reserve’s core zones are divided as follows:

1. Northern Core Area: Tamarisk-dominated desert ecosystem.

2. Central Core Area: Nitraria tangutorum shrubland desert.

3. Southern Core Area: A mixed ecosystem with Tamarix and Salsola species.

Flora and Fauna

Flora

The Baijitan Nature Reserve supports a rich variety of plant life, including:

• 53 plant families, 170 genera, and 306 species of wild plants.

• Notable species include Nitraria tangutorum (柠条), Tamarix ramosissima (猫头刺), and other desert shrubs.

Fauna

The reserve is also home to diverse wildlife:

• 23 orders, 47 families, and 115 species of animals, constituting 43.3% of the total animal species in Ningxia.

• The reserve harbors endangered and protected species such as:

  • Class I protected animals: Black stork (黑鹳), Great bustard (大鸨).

  • Class II protected animals: Kite (鸢), Whooper swan (大天鹅), Mandarin duck (鸳鸯).

New discoveries in May 2025 included the Class I protected animal Civet (虎鼬), showcasing the biological diversity of the area.

Management and Conservation Efforts

Management Body

The reserve is managed by the Baijitan Sand Prevention and Afforestation Station (白芨滩防沙林场), which is a state-owned entity dedicated to environmental protection. The station has 6 functional departments, 6 management stations, and 4 enterprises under its jurisdiction. It employs 476 staff members and oversees the management of 1.48 million acres of land.

Desertification Control Projects

From 2005 to 2010, the reserve successfully completed various afforestation projects to combat desertification:

• 220,577 acres of forest were planted, including efforts to stabilize moving sand dunes, reforest barren hills, and establish green corridors.

• 119,662 acres of shifting sand dunes were treated, making a significant impact on the region’s environment.

Sand Prevention and Afforestation

The reserve has also undertaken significant afforestation work to prevent desert encroachment:

• 76948 acres were dedicated to mountain reforestation.

• 36,607 acres were designated as green corridors to prevent further desertification.

Ecological Value and Significance

The Baijitan Nature Reserve plays an essential role in preserving the environment around the Yellow River (黄河), protecting agricultural land in the Ningxia Plain (宁夏平原), and safeguarding the Hedong Airport (河东机场). Its efforts in combating desertification have significantly improved the ecological conditions of Yinchuan (银川), the capital city of Ningxia, and the surrounding region.