Wildlife and Forest Management in Kanbula National Park Term Paper

Wildlife and Forest Management in Kanbula National Park - Term Paper Example Wildlife and forest management is essential to preserve its natural beauty and to maintain the ecological processes within. However, there are many factors that affect the wildlife and the forest as industrialization is boosting in the realms of China’s borders. Despite the fact that the Liajiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station is producing clean energy, it ironically has caused several alterations to the ecological system of the Kanbula Forest. This paper aims to 1) provide an exposition about the characteristics of the Kanbula National Park; 2) determine the impact of Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant to the ecological process within Kanbula National Park and; 3) propose several ways of wildlife and forest management while taking into consideration the present condition of the Kanbula National Park. Introduction Forest ecosystem consists primarily of trees and other naturally growing plants. It nurtures various types of wild animals and other species. The forest ecosystem, like the Ka nbula Forest, provides people with food, fuel, timber and fiber. Other than these, most people do not recognize the significance of forests among their lives. Forests provide protection of the hydrologic cycle. They also help in climate regulation because forests are basically natural sinks of carbon, which is one of the greenhouse gases that harm the planet (Espaldon et al, 2004). Kanbula forest is one of the most diverse across China. However, most of its flora and fauna are at risk of extinction. Major causes of forest destruction include industrialization, commercialism and weak enforcement of forest laws (Sajise et al, 1996). This paper will dig deeper into several issues that Kanbula National Park is facing, and how these issues or factors impact the forest’s ecological system. Characteristics of Kanbula National Park Geographical Position The Kanbula National Park is located in Northwest of Jianza County of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous States in Qinghai Province, with t otal area of 15,054 hectares and altitude of 2,100 to 4,000 meters above sea level (Hong, Shi, 2009). The Kanbula forest is basically a subalpine forest as it is located in high altitude. The forest is also located in the transition zone from Loess Plateau to Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Thus, it is the warmest region in Qinghai Province. It borders on the Yellow River in the North and is adjacent to the Liajiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station. Huge mountains extend from the forest with trees covered resembling a sea of forest. There are deflated hills around the Kanbula Forest that are formed due to erosion from wind and sand. The hills are called red cloud landforms. Climate Characteristics Cold and warm weathers are the two general climate condition in the forest. Cold season is characterized by cold, windy and dry air, while dry season features monsoon and warm and humid air. According to meteorological data records, the average temperature of the forest is 1 to 2.9 °C (Wu, 2007). The warmest month (July) has a daily temperature of 11.5-13.4 °C. The coldest month (January) has average daily temperature -12-10.1 °C(Wu, 2007). From March to September month average is temperature of 7-8.4  °C; stable over time through 0 °C for 190 days; plant growing period mean diurnal temperature 13.l  °C, 2,622-2,900 hours of annual sunshine hours, global solar radiation 609-647 kJ / cm. Annual rainfall is 450-490 mm, annual evaporation 1,923 mm. Annual average wind speed 19 meters per second, more concentrated in the January to April (Wu, 2007). Soil Characteristics Kanbula forest’s soil has five categories. The first type is alpine shrub meadow soil that is found at the altitude between 3,600 and 3,900 meters. The second type is the