Lalu Wetland

Lalu Wetland – Brief Introduction

The Lalu Wetland National Nature Reserve covers 62,000 square kilometers. The average altitude of Lalu Wetland is 3654 meters. It is typical Qinghai-Tibet Plateau wetland. It belongs to reed peat bog. The humid climate and lush waterweeds are rare on plateau. In each year, a large amount of Tadornaferruginea, yellow duck, Tibetan pintail sandgrouse, bar-head goose, larus brunnicephalus brown-headed gull, hoopoe, lark, skylark and some other wild animals, and a small amount of black-necked crane which is under state first-grade protection will play there. The Lalu Wetland is the largest city natural wetland with highest altitude, as well as the only natural city wetland in China. In May, 1999, Lalu Wetland was praised as district-level Natural Reserve Area. In 2000, the Lalu Wetland Management Station was built up. In August, 2005, Lalu Wetland was listed as National Natural Reserve. Lalu Wetland is praised as "Large Oxygen Bar". It has the reputation of "Lung of Lhasa", "Natural Oxygen Bar", etc.

Lalu Wetland - Physical Geography

Geographic Location

Lalu Wetland is located on northwest of Lhasa which is capital of Tibetan Autonomous Region. The three sides of Lalu Wetland are high mountain which is east extension branch of Gandise Mountain. The Lalu Wet Land connects with highway and city water channel on east, south and west sides. Lalu Wetland Natural Reserve is the largest city wetland with highest altitude in the world, as well as the habitat and wintering ground of black-necked crane, Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier and other precious and endangered birds. If you are lucky enought, you will enjoy the wonderful of various birds are playing on the wetland in your Lhasa tour.

Climate

Lalu Wetland was defined as "reed peat bog wetland" based on national Convention on Wetland. The Lhasa River Valley where Lalu Wetland is located in belongs to Northern Tibet plateau temperate semi-arid monsoon zone. It is with plenty of sunshine and long sunshine duration, dry air and large evaporation amount, less precipitation and low air pressure, obvious rain season and dry season. The annual average temperature of this area is 7.5 degree. The annual precipitation is 444.8mm, and 89 percents of precipitation are in the period from June to September. The annual average evaporation capacity is 2206mm. The annual sunshine duration reaches 3088 hours. The annual total radiant quantity is 186 kilocalories per square centimeter.

Lalu Wetland – Value

Natural "Humidifier"

The wild plants of Lalu Wetland mainly are reed community and mesophyte. Since the plants on Lalu Wetland are very prosperous, the evaporation of water through plants is very large. Hence, the water of Lalu Wetland can constantly evaporate through meadow plants with the work of sunshine to increase the water content in the air and the humidity. From this aspect, the Lalu Wetland is natural "humidifier".

Reputation of "Lung of Lhasa"

Lalu Wetland is also the main source of oxygen in Lhasa. The good grassland on Lalu Wetland, through photosynthesis, can absorb 78,800 tons of carbon dioxide and produce 53,700 tons of oxygen in each year. Hence, Lalu Wetland has the reputation of "Natural Oxygen Bar" and "Lung of Lhasa".