| Nujiang Lancang Gorge alpine conifer and mixed forests | |
|---|---|
 Conifer and mixed forests in the Baima Mountains, a subrange of theYun Range, inDeqin County | |
 Ecoregion territory (in purple) | |
| Ecology | |
| Realm | Palearctic |
| Biome | Temperate coniferous forests |
| Borders | |
| Geography | |
| Area | 82,993 km2 (32,044 sq mi) |
| Countries | |
| Conservation | |
| Conservation status | critical/endangered[1] |
| Protected | 17.28%[2] |
TheNujiang Lancang Gorge alpine conifer and mixed forests are atemperate coniferous forestsecoregion inSouthwestChina and northeasternMyanmar. The forests cover mountains and valleys in the westernHengduan Mountains and because of the extreme topography and relative remoteness, remain one of the best preservedhabitats in China.[3]
TheNujiangLancang Gorge alpine conifer and mixed forests stretch from southernQinghai and easternTibet Autonomous Region in the north toYunnan Province in the south. Portions of the forests also extend into extreme westernSichuan (China) and easternKachin State (Myanmar). The primary physical features to support the Nujiang forests are theNu (Salween) andLancang (Mekong) River valleys from approximately 4,000 m (13,000 ft) elevation to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) elevation. The southern part of this ecoregion forms the core of theThree Parallel RiversUNESCO World Heritage Site.[1] In addition to the mountain valleys, the Nujiang Lancang Gorge alpine conifer and mixed forests are found across parts of the Hengduan Mountains including, from west to east, theTaniantaweng Mountains, theGaoligong Mountains, theNu Mountains, and theYun Range.[3][4]
The mountains in this region of the Hengduan are steep and provide few opportunities for access between valleys and gorges. This has led to the isolated nature of these forests. Notable endangered and vulnerable species in the Nujiang Lancang Gorge alpine conifer and mixed forests include theYunnan snub-nosed monkey (endemic to this ecoregion),Gaoligong pika, andTaiwania flousiana.[1]
Forests in this ecoregion have long been threatened by logging, though since the 1990s the intensity of logging has declined in China. In the Myanmar portion, however, logging is still uncontrolled.[1] Lower elevation sections of the Nujiang forests are threatened by hydroelectric projects harnessing the power of the wild rivers.
17.28% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas in the ecoregion includeEmawbum National Park,Hkakaborazi National Park,Lashihai Wetland, andThree Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas.[2]