廣東(dong)乳源南(nan)水湖(hu)國家濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)公(gong)園位于縣境內(nei)的(de)西(xi)南(nan)部,地(di)(di)理(li)概貌(mao)為(wei)(wei)由(you)南(nan)向北(bei)呈(cheng)狹長型(xing)廊道走向,大致范圍包括南(nan)水湖(hu)環湖(hu)公(gong)路及(ji)其周(zhou)邊第一層山脊集水面。整(zheng)個濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)公(gong)園東(dong)西(xi)垂直長約(yue)(yue)為(wei)(wei)10.0公(gong)里(li),南(nan)北(bei)垂直寬約(yue)(yue)為(wei)(wei)18.7公(gong)里(li),規劃總(zong)面積為(wei)(wei)6283.7公(gong)頃(qing),以河(he)流濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)、湖(hu)泊(bo)濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)、沼澤濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)和(he)森林組成的(de)復合濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)生(sheng)態系(xi)統(tong)為(wei)(wei)主體,在中(zhong)國具有一定的(de)典型(xing)性和(he)代表性,并且在水資源保護、濕(shi)(shi)(shi)地(di)(di)學(xue)(xue)、生(sheng)態學(xue)(xue)、生(sheng)物學(xue)(xue)、地(di)(di)學(xue)(xue)等(deng)方面均具有較高的(de)科學(xue)(xue)價值。
南水湖(hu)濕地是廣東北部的重要生態屏障,植(zhi)被類型多(duo)樣,物(wu)種(zhong)(zhong)豐富,共(gong)有植(zhi)物(wu)2400多(duo)種(zhong)(zhong),其(qi)中國(guo)家級珍稀保護(hu)植(zhi)物(wu)35種(zhong)(zhong);野生脊椎動物(wu)438種(zhong)(zhong),非脊椎動物(wu)有3000種(zhong)(zhong)以上,其(qi)中有國(guo)家級保護(hu)動物(wu)34種(zhong)(zhong)。
南水(shui)(shui)湖濕地公(gong)園管理處(chu)的(de)成立,有利于更好地保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)南水(shui)(shui)湖優(you)良的(de)水(shui)(shui)質和(he)充足的(de)水(shui)(shui)量,有利于更好地保(bao)(bao)護(hu)(hu)南水(shui)(shui)湖的(de)濕地資源及生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)多樣(yang)性,保(bao)(bao)證珠江流域和(he)粵北地區的(de)生(sheng)態安(an)全,保(bao)(bao)障珠江流域整體生(sheng)態安(an)全和(he)生(sheng)物(wu)(wu)多樣(yang)性。