Heritage with Related Tags
Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes (Mons)
The Neolithic flint mines of Spiennes, covering more than 100 hectares, are the largest and oldest concentration of ancient mines in Europe. They are also remarkable for the diversity of their mining techniques and for their direct relationship to settlements of the same period.
Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island
The Pitons, Cirques and Craters of Réunion coincide with the core area of Réunion National Park. The property covers more than 100,000 hectares, or 40% of Réunion Island. Réunion is made up of two adjacent volcanoes and is located in the south-west of the island. Indian Ocean. Dominated by two towering volcanic peaks, massive walls and three cliff-encircled cirques, the property includes a variety of rugged terrains and impressive cliffs, forested canyons and basins, forming a visually striking landscape. It is a natural habitat for a wide variety of bird species and a high degree of endemism. There are subtropical rainforests, cloud forests and heather forests, forming a striking and visually fascinating combination of ecosystems and landscape features.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
This historic landscape garden features elements that illustrate important periods in garden art from the 18th to the 20th century. The garden's plant collections (preserved plants, living plants and documentation) have grown significantly over the centuries. Since its creation in 1759, the garden has made a major and ongoing contribution to the study of plant diversity and economic botany.
Qiaoyuan Park, Hedong District, Tianjin
Qiaoyuan Park is located in the southeast corner of the Weiguo Road Interchange, the key point of Hedong in Tianjin, and the gateway to the city landscape. It opens out in a fan shape to the northwest and covers an area of 22 hectares. It was originally an abandoned shooting range and a low-lying saline-alkali land. Qiaoyuan was designed according to local conditions. It used the original target mountain and several fish ponds to build an artificial wetland park. It has the first-level greening standard of urban gardens. It is a national 3A-level tourist attraction and the largest artificial ecological wetland park in the six districts of Tianjin. The park covers an area of 400 mu, of which the ecological water area is nearly 200 mu. The floor area ratio is less than 0.04, which has incomparable ecological advantages. 14 high and low wetland bubbles are dotted in between, and more than 100 kinds of plants are planted, including 20 aquatic plants, 43 trees and shrubs, and 40 perennial plants. There are 16 flat bridges and arch bridges connecting the waters in the park. It is the park with the most bridges in Tianjin. In addition to the bridges connecting the waters, there is also a trail trestle crossing it. All bridges in the park are made of wood, showing the concept of returning to nature in the ecological park. The Creative Bridge Park aims to create an ecological and creative park with "ecological fashion as its feature and leisure tourism as its core". At the 2009 World Architecture Festival held in Barcelona, Spain, it won the "Global Best Landscape Award", which is the first time that a Chinese urban park has won this honor. In 2010, it won the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Comprehensive Design Honor Award.
Kinabalu Park
Located in Sabah, on the northern tip of the island of Borneo, Kinabalu Park is centered around Mount Kinabalu (4,095 meters), the highest peak between the Himalayas and New Guinea. The park contains a wide variety of habitats, from dense tropical lowland and montane rainforests to tropical montane forests, subalpine forests, and high-altitude scrub. Designated the Center of Plant Diversity in Southeast Asia, the park is extremely species-rich, including plants from the Himalayas, China, Australia, Malaysia, and pan-tropical plants.
Wet Tropics of Queensland
The area stretches for approximately 450 km along the northeastern coast of Australia and consists primarily of tropical rainforest. The biome is home to a wide variety of plant life, as well as marsupials and songbirds, and other rare and endangered animal and plant species.
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Located in the eastern Yellow Sea off the southwestern and southern coasts of South Korea, the site consists of four components: Seocheon Tidal Flat, Gochang Tidal Flat, Sinan Tidal Flat, and Boseong-Suncheon Tidal Flat. The site exhibits complex geological, oceanographic, and climatic conditions that resulted in the formation of diverse sedimentary systems along the coast. Each component represents one of the four tidal flat subtypes (estuarine, open bay, archipelagic, and semi-enclosed). The site has a high degree of biodiversity, with 2,150 species of plants and animals reported, including 22 globally endangered or near-threatened species. It is home to 47 endemic and five endangered marine invertebrates, in addition to a total of 118 species of migratory birds, for which the site provides an important habitat. Endemic fauna include mud octopus (Octopus minor) and sediment feeders such as Japanese mud crab (Macrophthalmus japonica), fiddler crab (Uca lactea) and polychaetes (polychaetes), Stimpson's ghost crab (Ocypode stimpsoni), Yellow Sea sand snail (Umbonium thomasi), and various suspension feeders such as clams. The site demonstrates the connection between geodiversity and biodiversity, and demonstrates cultural diversity and the dependence of human activities on the natural environment.
Central Amazon Conservation Complex
The Central Amazon Conservation Area is the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin (over 6 million hectares) and one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. It also includes the important Várzea ecosystem, the Igapo forest, lakes and waterways that form an evolving aquatic mosaic and are home to the world's largest population of electric fish. The reserve protects key endangered species, including the Arapaima, the Amazon manatee, the black caiman and two species of river dolphins.
Dja Faunal Reserve
This is one of the largest and best-preserved rainforests in Africa, with 90% of its area undisturbed. The reserve is almost completely surrounded by the Dja River, which forms a natural border and is known for its biodiversity and wide variety of primates. There are 107 mammal species here, 5 of which are threatened.
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
The complex geology and varied topography have resulted in an unparalleled diversity of ecosystems and species in the Caribbean islands, creating one of the most biodiverse tropical islands on Earth. Many of the underlying rocks are toxic to plants, so species must adapt to these harsh conditions in order to survive. This unique evolutionary process has led to the emergence of many new species, and the park is one of the most important sites for the conservation of endemic plants in the Western Hemisphere. Endemism is also very high for both vertebrates and invertebrates.
Rainforests of the Atsinanana
The Achinanana rainforests include six national parks spread across the eastern part of the island. These remnant forests are essential for the ongoing ecological processes necessary to sustain Madagascar's unique biodiversity, reflecting the island's geological history. At the end of the last century, Madagascar's plants and animals evolved in isolation more than 60 million years ago. The rainforests are remembered for their importance to ecological and biological processes, as well as for their biodiversity and the endangered species they support. Many species are rare, with primates and lemurs being particularly threatened.
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
The New Zealand Subantarctic Islands consist of five island groups (Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands) in the Southern Ocean southeast of New Zealand. Located between the Antarctic and Subtropical Convergence Zones and the ocean, the islands are characterized by high productivity, biodiversity, wildlife population density and endemism of birds, plants and invertebrates. The islands are known for the large and diverse populations of pelagic seabirds and penguins that nest on the islands. A total of 126 bird species are found on the islands, including 40 seabird species, five of which are found nowhere else in the world.
Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea is the world's largest continuous intertidal sand and mud flat system. The area encompasses the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area, the German Wadden Sea National Park in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, and most of the Danish Wadden Sea Marine Protected Area. It is a vast, mild-climatic, relatively flat coastal wetland environment formed by an intricate interaction of physical and biological factors that have resulted in numerous transitional habitats including tidal channels, sandy beaches, seagrass meadows, mussel beds, sandbanks, mud flats, salt marshes, estuaries, beaches and dunes. The area is home to a wide range of plant and animal species, including marine mammals such as seals, grey seals and harbour porpoises. The Wadden Sea is one of the last remaining large intertidal ecosystems where natural processes continue to operate largely undisturbed.
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
The 2.5 million hectare Sumatran Rainforest Heritage includes three national parks: Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. The site has the greatest potential for the long-term conservation of Sumatra's unique and diverse biomes, including many endangered species. The protected area is home to approximately 10,000 plant species, including 17 endemic genera; more than 200 mammal species; and approximately 580 bird species, of which 465 are resident and 21 are endemic. Of the mammals, 22 are Asian species not found elsewhere in the archipelago, and 15 are found only in Indonesia, including the endemic Sumatran orangutan. The site also provides biogeographical evidence of the island's evolution.
Chengjiang Fossil Site
The Chengjiang Paleontological Community, located in Yunnan Province, covers an area of 512 hectares and is the most complete record of the early Cambrian marine biome. The biomes are well preserved and show the hard and soft tissue anatomy of various organisms (invertebrates and vertebrates). They record the formation of early complex marine ecosystems. The site records at least 16 phyla and various mysterious groups and about 196 species, providing exceptional evidence for the rapid diversification of life on Earth 530 million years ago, when almost all major animal groups today appeared. It has opened a window of paleontology with great significance for academic research.
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex
The site is located on the Thai side of the Tanah Seremban Range, part of a north-south granite and limestone ridge running along the Malay Peninsula. Located at the intersection of the Himalayan, Indochinese and Sumatran faunal and flora zones, the property is rich in biodiversity. It is dominated by semi-evergreen/dry evergreen and moist evergreen forests, with some mixed deciduous, montane forests and deciduous dipterocarp forests. The property is reported to contain many endemic and globally endangered plant species, overlaps with two Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and is renowned for its rich bird diversity, including eight globally endangered species. The reserve is home to the critically endangered Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis), the endangered Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), the wild bull (Bos javanicus), the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the yellow turtle (Indotestudo elongata), the endangered Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys) and several other vulnerable bird and mammal species. Notably, it is also home to eight cat species: the endangered tiger (Panthera tigris) and fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), the Near Threatened leopard (Panthera pardus) and Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii), the vulnerable clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosi) and marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), as well as the jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
The park features spectacular limestone karst landscapes and an underground river. A major feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, with the lower reaches partly affected by tides. The area is also an important habitat for biodiversity conservation. The area has a complete "mountain-sea" ecosystem and contains the most important forests in Asia.
Banc d'Arguin National Park
Located on the Atlantic coast, the park consists of sand dunes, coastal marshes, small islands and shallow coastal waters. The harsh desert environment contrasts with the biodiversity of the marine areas, creating a land and seascape of outstanding natural significance. A wide variety of migratory birds spend the winter here. Several species of sea turtles and dolphins can also be seen here, and fishermen use them to attract schools of fish.
Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat
The remote mountain landscape of Khoraman/Ulamanat bears witness to the traditional culture of the Khorami people, an agro-pastoral Kurdish tribe that has inhabited the region since around 3000 BC. Located in the heart of the Zagros Mountains in Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces on the western border of Iran, the property consists of two parts: the central eastern valley (Zhaverud and Takht in Kurdistan province); and the western valley (Lahun in Kermanshah province). Over thousands of years, human settlement patterns in these two valleys have adapted to the rugged mountain environment. Tiered steep slope planning and architecture, gardening on dry stone terraces, livestock raising and seasonal vertical migration characterize the local culture and life of the semi-nomadic Khorami people, who inhabit both lowlands and highlands at different seasons of the year. Their uninterrupted presence in the landscape is also marked by extraordinary biodiversity and endemism, as evidenced by stone tools, caves and rock shelters, earthen mounds, remains of permanent and temporary settlements, as well as workshops, cemeteries, roads, villages, castles, etc. The 12 villages at the site demonstrate how the Hawrami people have responded over thousands of years to the scarcity of productive land in their mountainous environment.
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
Located in the western Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, this national park features high mountain peaks, alpine meadows and riparian forests. Covering an area of 90,540 hectares, the park includes mountain glaciers and snowmelt sources of several rivers, and water supply catchment areas that are vital for millions of downstream users. GHNPCA protects the monsoon-affected forests and alpine meadows of the Himalayan front range. It is part of the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot, which includes 25 forest types and a rich variety of animal species in the region, many of which are threatened. This makes the area of great significance for biodiversity conservation.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Lush natural tropical forests blend with scenic volcanic landscapes, and this national park is of great scientific interest, centered around the 1,342-meter-high Morna Trus Pitón volcano. Covering nearly 7,000 hectares, the park features steep slopes and deep valleys, 50 fumaroles, hot springs, three freshwater lakes, a "boiling lake" and five volcanoes, as well as the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles, Morna Trus Pitón National Park presents a rare combination of natural landscapes with World Heritage value.
Chiribiquete National Park – “The Maloca of the Jaguar”
Chiribiquete National Park is the largest protected area in Colombia and is the meeting point of four biogeographic provinces: Orinoco, Guiana, Amazonas and Northern Andes. The National Park therefore guarantees the connectivity and preservation of the biodiversity of these provinces, constituting an interactive scene where the diversity and endemism of flora and fauna flourish. One of the characteristics of Chiribiquete is the presence of tepuis (table-top mountains), steep sandstone plateaus that stand out from the forest, creating a spectacular landscape enhanced by their remoteness, inaccessibility and excellent conservation. Indigenous peoples carved more than 75,000 statues on the walls of 60 rock shelters dating back to 20,000 BC, and they are still being produced today by the original peoples under the protection of the National Park. These murals depict hunting scenes, wars, dances and rituals, as well as species of flora and fauna, and especially the worship of the jaguar, a symbol of strength and fertility. The indigenous communities do not live directly on the site, and they believe that Chiribiquete is a sacred place that cannot be visited and should be left as it is.
Greater Blue Mountains Area
The Greater Blue Mountains region consists of 1.03 million hectares of sandstone plateaus, escarpments and canyons, dominated by temperate eucalypt forests. The region, comprised of eight reserves, is renowned for its representation of the evolutionary adaptation and diversification of eucalypts during the post-Gondwanan isolation period of the Australian mainland. There are 91 species of eucalypts in the Greater Blue Mountains region, and the region is also noted for its exceptional representation of the structure and ecological diversity of eucalypts associated with a wide range of habitats. The region is an important representative of Australia's biodiversity, with 10% of vascular plants and a large number of rare or threatened species, including endemic and evolutionary relict species such as the Wollemi pine, which persist in highly restricted microsites.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located at the junction of the plains and mountain forests in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Park covers 32,000 hectares and is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and more than 100 species of ferns. Many species of birds and butterflies can also be found there, as well as many endangered species, including the mountain gorilla.
The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities
Avar consists of seven parts: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern Iraq. The archaeological cities of Uruk and Ur and the archaeological site of Tell Eridu are part of the remains of Sumerian cities and settlements that developed in southern Mesopotamia between the 4th and 3rd millennium BC in the marshy deltas of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Avar in southern Iraq (also known as the Iraqi Marshes) is one of the largest inland delta systems in the world, located in an extremely hot and arid environment.
Lorentz National Park
Lorentz National Park (2.35 million hectares) is the largest protected area in Southeast Asia. It is the only protected area in the world with a continuous and intact transect from snow cover to tropical marine environments, including extensive lowland wetlands. The area is located at the intersection of two colliding continental plates and has complex geology, with continuous mountain formation and significant glacial erosion. The area also has fossil sites that provide evidence for the evolution of life in New Guinea, high endemism and the highest biodiversity in the region.
Cold winter desert in Turan
The transboundary heritage site consists of 10 parts spread across the temperate arid zone of Central Asia between the Caspian Sea and the Turan Mountains. The climatic conditions here are extremely harsh, with severe winters and extremely hot summers. The region is home to an exceptionally rich variety of flora and fauna that have adapted to the harsh climate. The site also showcases a diverse range of desert ecosystems, spanning more than 1,500 kilometres from east to west, with each component differing in terms of biodiversity, desert type and continuously changing ecological processes.
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
Located in the mountainous northwestern part of Yunnan Province, the Three Parallel Rivers National Park consists of a cluster of eight geographical reserves covering an area of 1.7 million hectares and encompasses the upper reaches of Asia’s three great rivers: the Yangtze (Jinsha), the Mekong and the Salween, flowing roughly parallel from north to south through steep canyons, some up to 3,000 metres deep, and surrounded by glacial peaks over 6,000 metres high. The reserve is the centre of biodiversity in China. It is also one of the most biodiverse temperate regions in the world.
Sangha Trinational
Located in the northwest of the Congo Basin, at the border of Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Congo, the site includes three connected national parks with a total area of approximately 750,000 hectares. Largely untouched by human activity, the site features a wide variety of moist tropical forest ecosystems with a rich variety of flora and fauna, including Nile crocodiles and large predators such as giant tiger fish. Forest clearings provide habitat for herbaceous plants, and Sanga is home to a large population of forest elephants, critically endangered western lowland gorillas and endangered chimpanzees. The site's environment preserves the continuation of large-scale ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as a rich biodiversity, including many endangered animal species.
Qinghai Hoh Xil
Located at the northeastern end of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Hoh Xil in Qinghai is the world's largest and highest plateau. This vast system of mountains and grasslands is over 4,500 meters above sea level, with average temperatures below zero all year round. The geographical and climatic conditions of the area have fostered unique biodiversity. More than one-third of the plant species and all herbivorous mammals are endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The site protects the intact migration route of the Tibetan antelope, one of the endangered large mammals endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas and their geomorphic features are extremely important, with unique biophysical and ecological processes. The site's alpine forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon climate pattern. The site regulates the region's tropical climate and is one of the best examples of a monsoon system on Earth. It also has extremely high biodiversity and endemism, and is recognized as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" for biodiversity. The site's forests include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests and are home to at least 325 globally threatened species of plants, animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish.
Socotra Archipelago
Located in the northwest of the Indian Ocean, near the Gulf of Aden, the Socotra Archipelago is 250 km long and consists of four islands and two rocky islets, which appear as an extension of the Horn of Africa. The site is of universal importance for its biodiversity and rich and unique flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of reptiles and 95% of snail species are found nowhere else in the world. The site also supports globally important populations of land and seabirds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the island and 85 are regular migrants), including many endangered species. Socotra's marine life is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 coastal fish species and 300 species of crabs, lobsters and shrimps.
Ancient Maya City and Protected Tropical Forests of Calakmul, Campeche
Located in the central/southern Yucatán Peninsula in southern Mexico, the site includes the remains of the important Maya city of Calakmul, located deep in the tropical forest of the Tierras Bajas. The city played a key role in the history of the region for over twelve centuries and is characterized by well-preserved architecture that vividly depicts life in the ancient Maya capital. The site also belongs to the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot, the third largest in the world, covering all subtropical and tropical ecosystems from central Mexico to the Panama Canal.
Area de Conservación Guanacaste
The Guanacaste Reserve (listed in 1999) has been expanded to include the 15,000-hectare private property Santa Elena. The area contains important natural habitats essential for the conservation of biodiversity, including the best dry forest habitat from Central America to northern Mexico and critical habitats for endangered or rare plant and animal species. The site demonstrates important ecological processes in both terrestrial and marine coastal environments.
Białowieża Forest
The Białowieża Forest World Heritage Site is a vast expanse of primeval forest, including coniferous and broadleaved trees, covering a total area of 141,885 hectares, located on the border between Poland and Belarus. This transboundary site is located on the watershed between the Baltic and Black Seas and offers excellent opportunities for biodiversity conservation. It is home to the largest population of the site’s most iconic species, the European bison.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003 and covers an area of 85,754 hectares. After the expansion, the park's total area has reached 123,326 hectares (an increase of 46%) and borders the Hin Nam Noi Nature Reserve in Lao PDR. The park's landscape is composed of limestone plateaus and tropical forests. The park's geological diversity is extremely high, with a large number of spectacular caves and underground rivers. The park has a high degree of biodiversity and many endemic species. The expansion ensures a more coherent ecosystem while providing additional protection for the water catchment area, which is essential for the integrity of the limestone landscape.
Los Katíos National Park
Los Katíos National Park is located in the northwest of Colombia and covers more than 72,000 hectares of low hills, forests and wet plains. The park is extremely rich in biodiversity and is home to many endangered animal species and many endemic plants.
Virgin Komi Forests
The Komi Forest covers 3.28 million hectares of tundra and mountain tundra in the Ural Mountains and is one of the most extensive remaining primary boreal forests in Europe. This vast expanse of coniferous forests, poplars, birch trees, peat bogs, rivers and natural lakes has been monitored and studied for more than 50 years. It provides valuable evidence of the natural processes that affect the biodiversity of the coniferous forests.
Blue and John Crow Mountains
Located in southeastern Jamaica, the site is a rugged, densely forested area that served as a refuge for the indigenous Taino people, as well as the Maroons (former slaves), who fled slavery. They built a network of paths, hideouts and settlements in this isolated area to resist the European colonial system, which form the Nanny Town Heritage Route. The forest provided the Maroons with everything they needed to survive. They developed a strong spiritual connection with the mountains, which is still reflected in intangible cultural heritage such as religious ceremonies, traditional medicine and dance. The site is also a biodiversity hotspot in the Caribbean Islands, with a large number of endemic plant species, especially lichens, mosses and certain flowering plants.
Mount Wuyi
Wuyishan is the most outstanding area of biodiversity conservation in southeast China and a refuge for a large number of ancient, relict species, many of which are endemic to China. The tranquil beauty of the Jiuqu River Gorge, with its numerous temples and monasteries, many of which are now in ruins, provided the setting for the development and spread of Neo-Confucianism, which has had a profound influence on East Asian culture since the 11th century. In the 1st century BC, the rulers of the Han Dynasty built a large administrative capital in the nearby village of Chengcun. Its massive walls surrounded a significant archaeological site.
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
The two designated sites contain flora and fauna and key habitats unique to the Cerrado, one of the oldest and most diverse tropical ecosystems in the world. For thousands of years, these sites have provided refuges for a wide range of species during periods of climate change and are critical to maintaining the biodiversity of the Cerrado during future climate fluctuations.
Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island
Located in southwestern Japan, the series of sites covers 42,698 hectares of subtropical rainforest on four islands, forming an arc on the border of the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea, with its highest point being Yumaru-dake on Amami Oshima, at 694 metres above sea level. The site is completely uninhabited and has a high biodiversity value, with a very high proportion of endemic species, many of which are globally endangered. The site is home to endemic plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, inland water fish and decapod crustaceans, such as the endangered Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) and the endangered Ryukyu woolly rat (Diplothrix legata), which represent ancient lineages with no living relatives anywhere in the world. Five mammals, three birds and three amphibians within the site have been globally recognised as Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species. In addition, many different endemic species are present on each island, which are not found elsewhere in the site.
Hubei Shennongjia
Located in Hubei Province in east-central China, the site consists of two parts: Shennongding/Badong to the west and Laojunshan to the east. It protects the largest remaining primary forest in central China and provides habitat for many rare animal species, such as the Chinese giant salamander, the golden snub-nosed monkey or Sichuan snub-nosed monkey, the clouded leopard, the common leopard and the Asiatic black bear. Hubei Shennongjia is one of the three major biodiversity centers in China. The site holds an important place in the history of botanical research and was the target of international plant collecting expeditions in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Refuge is located in the southeastern part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, a north-south ridge that runs along the Pujada Peninsula. The Refuge ranges from 75 to 1,637 meters above sea level and provides an important habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. The Refuge showcases terrestrial and aquatic habitats at different altitudes and includes endangered and endemic plant and animal species, eight of which are found only in Mount Hamiguitan. These include critically endangered trees, plants, and the iconic Philippine Eagle and Philippine Cockatoo.
Beijing Labagou Primeval Forest Park
The Labagou Primeval Forest Park is a national AAA-level scenic spot located in the core area of the primeval forest in Labagoumen Manchu Township, Huairou District, Beijing. The average altitude here is between 700 and 1,700 meters. There are thousands of rocks and valleys and vast forests. The air is pure and the scenery is pleasant. In the deep forests where few people go, you can see the mysteries of natural science that have not been deciphered so far. The entire scenic area consists of four viewing areas: Nanhouling, Yuyingchang, Baizhang Cliff, and Glacier. The total area is 45 square kilometers, the forest area is more than 90%, there are 677 plant species, more than 300 animal species, and the green tourist trail is 60 kilometers. The tour content and route can meet the needs of two to three days of travel. There are large areas of birch forests, purple birch forests, alpine rhododendrons, larch forests, and primary oak secondary forests. The entire forest is also mixed with a large number of precious tree species such as Tilia amurensis and yellow pineapple. It is a kingdom of biodiversity and the essence of the natural landscape of the primeval forest. The landscape in the scenic area is characterized by primeval forests, rich species, strange peaks and rocks, and cultural relics. In spring, you can see azaleas all over the mountains, in summer you can enjoy the cool climate of the high-altitude forests, and in autumn you can see colorful autumn leaves. Labagou Primeval Forest Park has become a natural ecological sightseeing, summer vacation, flower viewing and leaf viewing tourist destination and leisure car camp with its unique geographical features and intact forest ecological environment.
Marquesas Islands: The Land of Humankind
The Marquesas Islands are located in the South Pacific. Humans arrived by sea to these remote islands around 1000 AD. This mixed collection is an excellent example of this process and its development between the 10th and 19th centuries. It is also a biodiversity hotspot with an irreplaceable and well-preserved marine and terrestrial ecosystem. Characterized by steep ridges, majestic peaks and high sea-facing cliffs, the archipelago's natural landscape is unparalleled in the tropical region at this latitude. It is an important center of endemism, with rare and diverse plants, a rich variety of iconic marine species, and the most diverse population of seabirds in the South Pacific. The Marquesas waters are virtually unexplored by humans and are one of the few remaining marine wilderness areas in the world. Archaeological remains such as large dry stone structures, stone carvings and stone carvings are also preserved on the islands.
Gunung Mulu National Park
Located on the island of Borneo in Sarawak, Gunung Mulu National Park is noted for its rich biodiversity and karst topography, making it the world's most intensively studied tropical karst area. The park covers 52,864 hectares and contains 17 vegetation zones, displaying approximately 3,500 species of vascular plants. Palms are extremely diverse, with 109 species in 20 genera. The park is dominated by the sandstone pinnacle Gunung Mulu, which rises 2,377 meters above sea level. At least 295 kilometers of explored caves offer spectacular views and are home to millions of swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Cave Chamber is 600 meters long, 415 meters wide and 80 meters high, making it the largest known cave chamber in the world.
Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve
The Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve is located in the triangle between Hengshui, Jizhou and Zaoqiang in Hebei Province. It is the only nature reserve in the North China Plain that maintains a complete wetland ecosystem including swamps, waters, mudflats, meadows and forests, covering an area of 283 square kilometers. It has rich biodiversity, with inland freshwater wetland ecosystems and national I and II level birds as the main protected objects. Hengshui Lake is located in the north of the emerging regional central hub city of Hengshui City, and in the south of Jizhou, the "No. 1 State in the World". One lake connects the two cities and enjoys the reputation of being the sapphire in East Asia, the most beautiful wetland in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the No. 1 lake in southern Beijing. Hebei Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve (6 photos) extends to Shanguan Village, Dazhai Village in the west, Diliwang in the south, and Fuyang River in the north. Its geographical coordinates range from 115°27′50″~115°42′51″ east longitude and 37°31′40″~37°41′56″ north latitude. Its maximum east-west width is 22.28km, its maximum north-south length is 18.81km, its altitude is about 18~25m, and its total area is 187.87km2. Hengshui Lake is adjacent to Donghu Avenue (National Highway 106) and has convenient transportation. It is located around Beijing and Tianjin, around the Bohai Sea, and along the Beijing-Kowloon Railway. It is more than 200 kilometers away from Beijing and Tianjin, and more than 190 kilometers away from Huanghua Port. Within 300 kilometers of the surrounding area are the four provincial capitals of Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, and Jinan, and 26 prefecture-level cities. It integrates railways, highways, and communication hubs, and was called the Golden Cross by the famous social economist Fei Xiaotong.
Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems
The series of sites consists of six marine groups representing the main diversity of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in the French Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, and is one of the three most extensive coral reef systems in the world. These lagoons are of extraordinary natural beauty. They are characterized by an extremely high diversity of coral and fish species, a wide variety of habitats from mangroves to seagrasses, and the highest density of coral reef structures in the world. The New Caledonian lagoons have intact ecosystems, healthy populations of large predators, a wide variety of species, and large fish. They provide habitats for many iconic or endangered marine species, such as turtles, whales, and dugongs, which have the third largest population of dugongs in the world.
Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture
Ibiza is an excellent example of the interaction between marine and coastal ecosystems. The dense marine Posidonia grassland is a keystone species endemic to the Mediterranean basin and it contains and supports a wide variety of marine life. Ibiza preserves a wealth of evidence of its long history. The archaeological sites of Sa Caleta (the settlement) and Puig des Molins (the cemetery) testify to the important role the island played in the Mediterranean economy in prehistory, especially during the Phoenician-Carthaginian period. The fortified Upper Town (Alta Vila) is an outstanding example of Renaissance military architecture; it had a profound influence on the development of fortifications in Spanish settlements in the New World.
Baishishan Global Geopark
Baishishan, which belongs to Laiyuan Baishishan Tourism Development Co., Ltd., is located at the northern end of the towering Taihang Mountains that stretch for 800 miles. It is a mountain on the mountain above the undulating mountains on the southern edge of the Laiyuan Basin and is known as the "First of Taihang". The main peak of Baishishan is 2,096 meters above sea level and is named after the white marble on the mountain. The mountain is steep and has cliffs, dangerous ravines, and is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. It has been a dividing line between nature and humanity since ancient times. For thousands of years, people could only look at her height and the gathering and dispersion of clouds from a distance because it was difficult to climb. Today, let us approach it and go deep into the peaks and ravines to explore the eternal mysteries of Baishishan and experience her agility and magic. Baishishan Mountain is located 186 kilometers southwest of Beijing. It is a park in Beijing Fangshan World Geopark. The total area of Baishishan Mountain is more than 100 square kilometers. The core area has "three peaks, six terraces, nine valleys and 81 peaks". There are three peaks over 2000 meters on the 7000-meter-long main ridge. The relative height difference of the southern foothills is 1500 meters. It is well-known for its majestic, dangerous and fantastic. Its majesty === majestic, vigorous, upright, rough, strong and masculine spirit. Its danger === strange peaks clustered, steep cliffs stretching across, cliffs thousands of feet high like arrows piercing the sky. Its strangeness ==== strange rocks, rugged and rugged, different from each other, anthropomorphic, anthropomorphic, ingenious and fantastic. Its fantasy === The vast sea of clouds is rolling, the fairy mountains and floating islands are like a dream. The "Notes on the Classic of Watercourses" describes Baishishan as "the mountain has three peaks: Gaoxia Yiling, Tengyunguan Peak, and smoke-covered fog. The gullies are deep and steep. Walking into Baishishan, you will see strange peaks standing in rows, steep cliffs, deep valleys, steep and magnificent, bizarre and varied peaks. It has a large height difference and a large density, and it goes straight up and down as if it were cut by a knife and an axe. The shapes are strange. Some are towering like jade pillars that soar into the clouds. Some are as heavy as eggs, as if they will collapse at the slightest shock. Some are like soldiers in a line. Those strange peaks and rocks that look like sails, bamboo shoots, swords, people, and beasts all show the distinct personality of Baishishan. It is extremely magnificent. Because the terrain of Baishishan is northeast-southwest and perpendicular to the monsoon, and the height difference on the southern slope is large, Baishishan is the most beautiful peak in North China. The mountain with the most clouds and fog in the region. In summer and autumn, the warm and humid air currents blowing from the southeast are intercepted by the tall mountains and stored between the peaks and valleys, often forming clouds and fog. The clouds on Baishishan Mountain are in various shapes and forms. Sometimes they are like gauze and wings, sometimes like cotton and catkins, sometimes like streams and waterfalls, and sometimes they are flat and endless. Due to the influence of cold and warm air currents, frontal rain and terrain rainfall often appear on Baishishan Mountain. Blue sky and white clouds reflect the landscape of Cangshan Mountain. The ancients summarized Baishishan as "clear sky is not as good as rain, rain is not as good as fog, and fog is not as good as clouds". "Baishishan clear clouds" is one of the 12 ancient beautiful scenes in Laiyuan. Climb up the stone steps paved with granite. The road changes with the mountain and the scenery changes with every step. There are many strange peaks and rocks along the way. If you catch up with the clouds and fog, the cliffs appear and disappear from time to time, as if you are in a fairyland, "the scenery passes by and you are swimming in a painting." Everyone will express such emotion sincerely. It is a blessing to encounter the sea of clouds, with the sun shining brightly above the head and the raging clouds under the feet. It is extremely comfortable to be on it, like a poem or a song. Baishishan has dense vegetation and the forest coverage rate reaches 82%. It has 30,000 acres of forest land and nearly a thousand species of plants. Moreover, the forest of Baishishan presents a typical vertical zone, and different altitudes have representative plant distribution. It is the center of biodiversity distribution in North China. Walking into Baishishan is like enjoying a magnificent piece of music, which starts with a high note and ends with a high note, always immersing people in a state of excitement. Looking at the long geological development history of Laiyuan area, it records the changes of the world. As early as 300 million years ago, this place was originally a sea. It experienced the Fuping Movement and the Wutai Movement until the Luliang Movement 1.8 billion years ago. Here, together with the North China region, a unified platform basement was formed. 1.4-1 billion years ago, another large-scale marine invasion formed the most widely distributed and thickest Mesoproterozoic sedimentary cover in North China-the Wumishan Group flint belt and dolomite. In between, the ancient Yanshan-North Taihang paleoseismic belt extends all the way to Baishishan. 200-130 million years ago, the intensified activity of the Taihang Mountain deep fault led to the intrusion of granite and volcanic eruptions in this area. The Himalayan movement and new tectonic movement since 23.3 million years ago, the staged differences in the crust's ups and downs have successively formed the current aerial grassland with an altitude of 2,000 meters. The Laiyuan Basin and Baishishan Peak Forest in the core area of Baishishan present a typical double-layer structure. The stable granite base holds up the huge dolomite marble cover to form a giant "top plate suspension body". With two groups of huge shear joints as the main features, after millions of years of wind, rain, erosion and gravity collapse, nature has carved Baishishan into a fine work of art with its magical power, forming a unique marble tectonic peak forest landform. Tectonic peak forest is a new type of geological landscape first named by Chinese geologists based on the causes of Baishishan peak forest. It refers to the rock strata that have many vertical structural cracks, which are called joints in geology. These vertical and huge joints control the development of peak forests. The Baishishan tectonic peak forest is characterized by its majestic spirit of towering steep cliffs, sharp edges and earth-shaking shapes. Some of them are caused by surface weathering or karst. The stone forest, earth forest or Danxia landform formed by the process has obvious characteristics. If the peak forest is regarded as the great masterpiece of Baishishan Mountain, then the various minerals of hydrothermal replacement type in the various sedimentary structures throughout the park reveal the mystery and magic of this ancient stratum to people. The ripple marks, mud cracks, feather-shaped cross-bedding, algae and stromatolites in the Wumishan Formation of Baishishan Mountain are also non-renewable geological relics. It vividly tells people that the ancient Laiyuan area was a sea 1.2 billion years ago. Now when people walk into Baishishan Mountain, it is like a historical corridor spanning 1.2 billion years. There is a Shipu Gorge scenic area on the western foot of Baishishan Mountain. Shipu Gorge is a granite canyon. It is a granite formed 160-140 million years ago. Joints are developed in it. It controls the direction of water flow in the Shipu Gorge and waterfalls, and forms steep slopes and terraces. Rocks fall into waterfalls and ripples into pools. The granite landforms are colorful and lifelike. They are formed after long-term weathering and erosion. There are more than a dozen waterfalls in Shipu Gorge. The source of the waterfalls is Longhuquan, which is 1,300 meters above sea level. Water flows all year round. The waterfalls and granite landforms complement each other to form a beautiful picture. The Baishishan Great Wall descends from Jinshan and emerges from Shichenggou. It stretches across the peaks at the northern foot of Baishishan, passing through Baishishan Yungu, Chongguanhe, and Chajianling. The two pass cities are far away from the three main peaks of Baishishan. The majestic and magnificent Yunpan Cave at the southern foot of Baishi Mountain is the place where the last Boxer Rebellion force sacrificed. The German-French coalition killed more than 20 Boxers led by Guo Fengchun, adding a bit of tragic grandeur to Baishi Mountain. The famous Huangtuling Battle during the Anti-Japanese War took place in Yungu at the eastern foot of Baishi Mountain, killing the "flower of famous generals" Abe Nobuhide, creating a record of annihilating 1,500 enemies in one go. The beautiful Baishi Mountain is located in Laiyuan County, Hebei Province. The main peak is 2,096 meters above sea level. It is a world geological park, a national geological park, a national forest park, a national 4A-level tourist attraction, and a national youth science and technology education base. During the Warring States Period, "the mountains divided Yan and Zhao", and during the Liao and Song Dynasties, "one mountain divided two countries". The ancients named Baishi Mountain because there were many white stones (marble) on the mountain. The entire Baishishan Mountain presents a "double-layer structure". The upper part is white, nearly horizontal flint marble formed 1 billion years ago, and the lower part is granite formed by magma intrusion 140 million years ago. Granite becomes a base, supporting the marble peaks on the upper part. The majestic "marble structural peaks" of Baishishan Mountain is a new type of geological landscape. It is unique and is very different from karst peaks, sandstone peaks, granite peaks, and earth forests in terms of material composition, formation process, and morphological characteristics. The special sedimentary environment has generated many peculiar sedimentary structures. Baishishan has many strange peaks, cliffs, and ravines. The peaks are strangely shaped, like pillars, sails, bamboo shoots, swords, people, and beasts. They are works of art created by nature. Due to the special topography and landforms, natural wonders such as clouds, sea of clouds, and Buddha's light often appear. Baishishan has a wide variety of flora and fauna and dense vegetation. There are 30,000 mu of forests, including Caragana chinensis, Hickory, and Sorbus, especially the largest red birch forest in North China. Wild animals living in it include North China leopard (first-class protected animal), badger, roe deer, rabbit, pheasant, falcon and other wild animals. Baishishan "has four seasons in one mountain". When the foot of the mountain is already green, the peach blossoms are just blooming on the mountainside, and the shady slopes of the top of the mountain are still covered with snow. The Ming Dynasty Great Wall on the northern foot of Baishishan is well preserved, winding on the peaks and ridges, majestic and spectacular. Baishishan Scenic Area has opened two east and west gates, and the internal facilities are interconnected. The Shipu Gorge on the west foot is a self-contained system and an independent tourist area. There are winding roads and cableways to choose from when going up and down Baishishan. The 20,000-meter walking tour road runs through the "three peaks, six terraces, nine valleys, and eighty-one peaks" of Baishishan, where you can appreciate the beautiful scenery of Baishishan. Baishishan is 180 kilometers away from Beijing, and can be reached by highway from Tianjin, Zhangjiakou and Datong. Zhangshi Expressway runs across the county, with an exit at Baishi Mountain. The train also stops at Laiyuan, which is only half an hour's drive from Baishi Mountain Scenic Area. Baishi Mountain is a paradise for landscape and ecological photography. Baishi Mountain does not charge entrance fees for photographers who hold membership cards of the National Photographers Association.
Khangchendzonga National Park
Located in the central Himalayas in northern India (Sikkim), Kanchenjunga National Park is a unique diversity of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world's third highest peak, Kanchenjunga. This mountain and a number of natural elements (caves, rivers, lakes, etc.) are associated with mythological stories and worshipped by the indigenous people of Sikkim. The sacred significance of these stories and customs, integrated with Buddhist beliefs, forms the basis of Sikkimese identity.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans a vast area of high plains, savannah, savanna woodlands and forests. Established in 1959, the conservancy is a multi-use land area where wildlife coexists with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists who practice traditional livestock herding and includes the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the largest volcanic crater in the world. The property is of global importance for biodiversity conservation due to the presence of globally endangered species, the density of wildlife in the area, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other animals to the northern plains. Extensive archaeological research has also produced a range of evidence for human evolution and human-environment dynamics, including early ape footprints dating back 3.6 million years.
Western Tien-Shan
This transnational heritage site is located in the Tien Shan mountain range, one of the largest in the world. The Western Tien Shan ranges from 700 to 4,503 metres above sea level. It has a diverse landscape with extremely rich biodiversity. It is globally important as a centre of origin for many cultivated fruit crops and has a variety of forest types and unique plant communities.
Landscapes of Dauria
The site, located between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, is an outstanding example of the Daur Steppe ecoregion, which stretches from eastern Mongolia to Russian Siberia and northeastern China. Cyclic climate change, with distinct wet and dry periods, results in a diversity of species and ecosystems of global significance. The steppe ecosystems vary in type, such as steppes and forests, as well as lakes and wetlands, and are home to rare animals such as white-naped cranes, great bustards, relict gulls and swan geese, as well as millions of vulnerable, endangered or threatened migratory birds. It is also a key site on the transboundary migration path of the Mongolian gazelle.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Sustained fluvial, marine, and aeolian processes in the region have created a variety of landforms, including coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. The park's environmental heterogeneity, with its interaction with major floods and coastal storms, and its transitional geographical location between subtropical and tropical Africa, has resulted in an exceptional diversity of species and ongoing speciation. The mix of landforms and habitat types creates a stunning landscape. The site contains important habitats for a range of species from African marine, wetland, and savannah environments.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka
This is one of the world's most famous volcanic regions, with a high density of active volcanoes, a wide variety of types, and a rich variety of associated features. The six sites included in the sequence designation bring together most of the volcanic features of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The interaction of active volcanoes and glaciers has created a beautiful dynamic landscape. The sites have an extremely high diversity of species, including the world's largest known population of salmon and large populations of sea otters, brown bears, and sea eagles.
Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex
The site is located on the Thai side of the Tanah Seremban Range, part of a north-south granite and limestone ridge running along the Malay Peninsula. Located at the intersection of the Himalayan, Indochinese and Sumatran faunal and flora zones, the property is rich in biodiversity. It is dominated by semi-evergreen/dry evergreen and moist evergreen forests, with some mixed deciduous, montane forests and deciduous dipterocarp forests. The property is reported to contain many endemic and globally endangered plant species, overlaps with two Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and is renowned for its rich bird diversity, including eight globally endangered species. The reserve is home to the critically endangered Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis), the endangered Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), the wild bull (Bos javanicus), the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), the yellow turtle (Indotestudo elongata), the endangered Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys) and several other vulnerable bird and mammal species. Notably, it is also home to eight cat species: the endangered tiger (Panthera tigris) and fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), the Near Threatened leopard (Panthera pardus) and Asian golden cat (Catopuma temminckii), the vulnerable clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosi) and marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), as well as the jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).
Wild Duck Lake National Wetland Park
Beijing Wild Duck Lake, the largest wetland bird nature reserve in North China and the only one in Beijing, is located on the bank of Guanting Lake at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall in Yanqing District. It has a water surface of more than 1.5 million square meters. Due to the good natural environment here, it was approved by the municipal government as a municipal wetland bird nature reserve in Beijing in December 2000. Wild Duck Lake is located in the northwest of Yanqing District, Beijing, and belongs to the transition zone from the North China Plain to the Shanxi Plateau and the Inner Mongolia Plateau. It is backed by the Yanshan Mountains in the north, the Taihang Mountains in the south, and borders Huailai County, Hebei Province in the southwest. The majestic Badaling Great Wall is to the southeast. Wild Duck Lake is an artificial wetland composed of the Yanqing area of Guanting Reservoir and the flooded area and tidal flats below 479m above sea level around the lake. The total area of the reserve is 6,873 hectares, of which the wetland area is 3,939 hectares. It is the only wetland bird nature reserve in Beijing. After more than 50 years of development, it has formed a wetland ecosystem with rich animal and plant resources, high biodiversity and stability, and has become one of the important bird habitats in Beijing and even in North China. The reserve is rich in animal and plant resources. According to statistics, there are 389 species of higher plants in Yeya Lake Wetland, including 16 species of bryophytes, belonging to 9 families and 9 genera; 8 species of ferns, belonging to 5 families and 5 genera; 7 species of gymnosperms, belonging to 3 families and 5 genera; 358 species of angiosperms, belonging to 72 families and 212 genera. The total number of bird species in Yeya Lake is 264, including 6 first-class national protected animals (black stork, oriental white stork, white-headed crane, great bustard, golden eagle, white-tailed sea eagle), and 34 second-class national protected animals. There are 40 species of fish in 5 orders and 9 families, 5 species of amphibians in 1 order and 3 families, 7 species of reptiles in 3 orders and 4 families, 10 species of mammals in 5 orders and 6 families, 182 species of insects in 12 orders and 61 families, 63 species of protozoa, 35 species of rotifers, and 12 species of crustaceans in freshwater zooplankton.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park, located in northwest Washington, is renowned for its diversity of ecosystems. Glacier-capped peaks are interspersed with vast alpine meadows, surrounded by vast old-growth forests, some of which are the best-preserved temperate rainforests in the Pacific Northwest. Eleven major rivers flow through the Olympic Mountains, providing some of the best habitat for anadromous fish in the country. The park also includes 100 kilometers of wilderness coastline, the longest undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States, and is rich in native and endemic plant and animal species, including key populations of the endangered northern spotted owl, marbled guillemot, and bull trout.
Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Located in the eastern Yellow Sea off the southwestern and southern coasts of South Korea, the site consists of four components: Seocheon Tidal Flat, Gochang Tidal Flat, Sinan Tidal Flat, and Boseong-Suncheon Tidal Flat. The site exhibits complex geological, oceanographic, and climatic conditions that resulted in the formation of diverse sedimentary systems along the coast. Each component represents one of the four tidal flat subtypes (estuarine, open bay, archipelagic, and semi-enclosed). The site has a high degree of biodiversity, with 2,150 species of plants and animals reported, including 22 globally endangered or near-threatened species. It is home to 47 endemic and five endangered marine invertebrates, in addition to a total of 118 species of migratory birds, for which the site provides an important habitat. Endemic fauna include mud octopus (Octopus minor) and sediment feeders such as Japanese mud crab (Macrophthalmus japonica), fiddler crab (Uca lactea) and polychaetes (polychaetes), Stimpson's ghost crab (Ocypode stimpsoni), Yellow Sea sand snail (Umbonium thomasi), and various suspension feeders such as clams. The site demonstrates the connection between geodiversity and biodiversity, and demonstrates cultural diversity and the dependence of human activities on the natural environment.
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park is an important rainforest reserve in Central Africa. It has well-preserved forests and peat bogs, heaths, scrub and grasslands, providing habitat for a highly diverse range of flora and fauna. In addition, a large number of unique species have found their most important natural habitats here, including the endangered eastern chimpanzee, golden monkey, and the critically endangered hill horseshoe bat. In addition, there are 12 endangered mammals and 7 bird species living here. Nyungwe National Park is one of the most important bird reserves in Africa, with 317 bird species recorded.
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
The Dong Phayayan-Khao Yai Forest Complex stretches for 230 km, bordering Ta Phaya National Park on the Cambodian border to the east and Khao Yai National Park to the west. It is home to more than 800 species of animals, including 112 mammals (including two species of gibbons), 392 bird species and 200 reptiles and amphibians. The conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammal, bird and reptile species is of international importance, 19 of which are vulnerable and four are endangered, and the area contains a number of important tropical forest ecosystems that can provide suitable habitats for the long-term survival of these species.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park (790,000 hectares) has an extremely diverse range of habitats, from swamps and grasslands to the Rwenzori snowfields at over 5,000 metres above sea level, from lava plains to savannahs on the slopes of volcanoes. The park is home to mountain gorillas, around 20,000 hippos live in the river and Siberian birds spend the winter here.
Doñana National Park
The Doñana National Park in Andalusia is located on the right bank of the Guadalquivir River, at its mouth into the Atlantic Ocean. The park is known for its diversity of biomes, especially lagoons, marshes, fixed and mobile dunes, scrub and shrubland. The park is home to five endangered bird species. It is one of the largest colonies of egrets in the Mediterranean, with more than 500,000 waterfowl wintering here every year.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Sustained fluvial, marine, and aeolian processes in the region have created a variety of landforms, including coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. The park's environmental heterogeneity, with its interaction with major floods and coastal storms, and its transitional geographical location between subtropical and tropical Africa, has resulted in an exceptional diversity of species and ongoing speciation. The mix of landforms and habitat types creates a stunning landscape. The site contains important habitats for a range of species from African marine, wetland, and savannah environments.