Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve in Xinjiang

The Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve (新疆罗布泊野骆驼国家级自然保护区) is a national-level nature reserve located in the southeastern part of Xinjiang, China. This vast area spans the northern part of the Lop Nur desert, including regions such as the Jashun Gobi (戛顺戈壁), South Lake Gobi (南湖戈壁), the eastern section of Kuruktag (库鲁克塔格), the Aqik Valley (阿奇克谷地), the southeastern Altun Mountains (阿尔金山), and the Ruoqiang Kumtag Desert (若羌库姆塔格沙漠). The reserve covers parts of Hami City (哈密市), Turpan City (吐鲁番市), and Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州) and borders areas of Gansu and Qinghai. The total area of the reserve is 61,200 square kilometers, with a core area of 13,100 square kilometers, a buffer zone of 16,400 square kilometers, and an experimental zone of 31,700 square kilometers.

Main Protected Species

The primary focus of protection is the wild Bactrian camel (野双峰驼) and its habitat. This reserve is one of the largest desert-type nature reserves in Xinjiang and the only known habitat for wild Bactrian camels, a critically endangered species.

In November 2023, the reserve was listed in the First Batch of Important Terrestrial Wildlife Habitats (陆生野生动物重要栖息地名录) by the State Forestry and Grassland Administration (国家林业和草原局).

Geographical Environment

Location

The reserve is located in the southeastern part of Xinjiang, encompassing the northern Lop Nur desert, Jashun Gobi, South Lake Gobi, the eastern segment of Kuruktag, Aqik Valley, the Altun Mountains, and the Ruoqiang Kumtag Desert. It is the largest desert-type nature reserve in Xinjiang and is bordered by parts of Gansu and Qinghai.

Terrain and Topography

The lowest point in the reserve is the Lop Nur Lake Basin (罗布泊湖盆) at an elevation of 780 meters. The northern part of the reserve includes the South Tianshan Mountains (南天山) and the Kuruktag, which extend into eroded hills and semi-flat Gobi terrain. The southeast of the reserve borders the Kumtag Desert with a natural sand dune barrier that stretches 80 km long and 1-7 km wide. The Aqik Valley is a tectonic fault zone, characterized by scattered Yardan landforms (雅尔丹地貌土墩).

Climate

The reserve has a temperate continental climate characterized by cold winters, hot summers, high dryness, and strong sandstorms. The daily temperature variation is large, with minimal precipitation, and the area experiences one of the highest aridity levels on the planet, with evaporation rates exceeding rainfall by 300 times.

Hydrology

The ancient Lop Nur was once filled by waters from the Tarim River (塔里木河) and Peacock River (孔雀河), but due to human activities upstream, the water volume entering the basin has significantly decreased. The lake basin has since dried up, leaving only salt crusts. Currently, the reserve has no surface water and only sparse desert saline springs.

Soil

The main soil types in the reserve are brown desert soils and mountain brown desert soils. Areas with shifting sand are covered by wind-blown sand, while lower valleys have cracked soils. Salt marshes and saline soils are found near water sources such as Aqik Valley and the ancient Lop Nur basin.

Protected Species and Biodiversity

Wildlife

As of 2017, the reserve has recorded 45 families and 261 species of vertebrates, including:

  • Mammals: 45 species

  • Birds: 197 species

  • Reptiles: 19 species

  • Amphibians: 1 species

  • Fish: 2 introduced species

  • Insects: 180 species

Notable protected species include the wild Bactrian camel (国家一级保护动物), the snow leopard (雪豹), and the Tibetan wild ass (藏野驴). Other species under national protection include the goitered gazelle (鹅喉羚) and rock sheep (岩羊).

Flora

The reserve is home to 130 species of vascular plants from 28 families and 76 genera, including:

  • National First-Class Protected Plants: Naked-fruit wood (裸果木)

  • National Second-Class Protected Plants: Tamarisk (沙生柽柳), Populus euphratica (胡杨), and Cistanche (肉苁蓉).

Management and Protection Measures

Management Authority

The Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve Management Bureau (新疆罗布泊野骆驼国家级自然保护区管理局) was established in August 2001 and is under the jurisdiction of the Xinjiang Environmental Protection Department (自治区环保厅). The bureau is responsible for overseeing the reserve and is staffed with a team of experts and researchers. In 2006, the reserve was officially designated as a national-level nature reserve.

Protection Efforts

To reduce human interference during the wild camel breeding season, the reserve implemented a ban on tourism and exploration activities in April 2018, particularly around water sources and camel habitats such as Kumutage Desert (库木塔格沙漠) and Aqik Valley (阿奇克谷地).

Infrastructure and Development

Construction

The reserve was initially established in 1986, and its area has since been expanded from 15,000 square kilometers to its current size of 61,200 square kilometers. The boundaries of the reserve were adjusted in 2013 to better protect the ecosystem and species.

Brand Development

In 2003, the reserve was officially upgraded to a national-level nature reserve. In 2023, it was included in the First Batch of Important Terrestrial Wildlife Habitats by the State Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Scientific Research

The reserve has been involved in several major research projects, including a 2016 project led by the reserve management and in cooperation with major institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Xinjiang Environmental Protection Science Institute. This project focused on the distribution, behavior, and genetic analysis of the wild Bactrian camel.

Tourism and Scenic Spots

  • Peacock River (孔雀河): A river originating from Bosten Lake (博斯腾湖) that flows into the Lop Desert, with sparse vegetation and a desolate environment.

  • Loulan Ancient City (楼兰古城): An ancient city located in the Tarim Basin (塔里木盆地), once a prosperous site on the Silk Road. The ruins include a large Buddhist pagoda, ancient dwellings, and cultural relics.

In November 2023, a rare sand waterfall was discovered in the Lop Nur Grand Canyon, a breathtaking and unusual natural phenomenon.

Ecological Significance

The Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve plays a critical role in protecting biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of the region. The wild Bactrian camel, an extremely endangered species, is a living fossil of the desert ecosystem and an integral part of the Lop Nur desert’s unique ecology. The reserve’s desert ecosystem and species are vital for maintaining the ecological balance and preserving the integrity of the region’s fragile environment.