In l 986, the mangrove forest at Dongzhaigang at Qiongshan on Hainan Island was listed as a nature reserve under state protection. In 1 992, it became China's first place oil the world list of major wetlands.

The mangrove is an evergreen tree that grows along tropical, subtropical tidal shores or river estuaries. At high tide£¬they are totally submerged or only their tops are visible, and when the tide recedes they show themselves as dense thickets. Both trees and shrubs have reddish brown bark and green leaves.

There are more than 40 mangrove species in the world, of which 24 9row in China(Guangdon9, Hainan, Taiwan and Fujian)and l9 at Dongzhaigang. The overgrown mangroves at Dongzhaigang are like green waves along the coast. The place is also home to 1 59 kinds of bird and is all important resting place on the migration routes of many birds.