The forest on the north slope
of Qilian Mountain covers up the main ecosystem in Hexi
Corridor in Gansu Province, which is also the genetic
base of Northwest China and the ecological protector
of the people in Hexi Area.
Qilian Mountain is cosidered as the mother of Hexi
Corridor, which is not exaggerated at all in consideration
of the responsibility of Qilian Mountain. However, due
to the excessive exploration, the mother cannot provide
more any longer.
Hexi Corridor lies inland of China, which is maintained
by melted snow on Qilian Mountain. It also plays a significant
role in sustain the economy and ecobalance of Hexi Area.
Under the cultivation of the melted snow, Hexi Corridor
has become one of the twelve bases of commodity grain
in China. There are more than 4.86 million people living
in Hexi Corridor with more than ten million mu of farmland.
The annual rainfall is 60 to 100 millimeters. If there
was no Qilian Mountain, there would be the desert. The
annual production of grain takes up one third in that
of the whole province, and the annual production of
commodity grain takes up 70% of that in the whole province.
There are 22 protective station responsible for protecting
the forests in Qilian Mountain – the forests that conserve
water resources, one of which is Xiama Forest.
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