1980年(nian)(nian),陜(shan)(shan)(shan)西省人民政(zheng)府同意建(jian)立(li)周至縣金(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)(陜(shan)(shan)(shan)政(zheng)發(fa)字[1980]244號文件)。1982年(nian)(nian),經(jing)省政(zheng)府第15次(ci)常(chang)務(wu)(wu)會議通過的(de)《陜(shan)(shan)(shan)西省自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)劃(hua)方案》進一步明(ming)確:在周至縣南部秦嶺北坡,建(jian)立(li)金(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)。1986年(nian)(nian)西安市批準(zhun)(zhun)成立(li)周至自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)籌建(jian)處。1988年(nian)(nian)經(jing)國(guo)(guo)務(wu)(wu)院批準(zhun)(zhun),周至自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)晉升為(wei)(wei)國(guo)(guo)家級自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)。1989年(nian)(nian)西安市批準(zhun)(zhun)成立(li)“陜(shan)(shan)(shan)西周至國(guo)(guo)家級自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)管理(li)局”。1993年(nian)(nian)8月,小(xiao)王澗(jian)林(lin)(lin)場(chang)劃(hua)入周至國(guo)(guo)家級自(zi)(zi)(zi)然保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)管理(li)局管理(li)。保(bao)(bao)(bao)(bao)護(hu)區(qu)總面(mian)(mian)積56393公頃,系由原屬小(xiao)王澗(jian)林(lin)(lin)場(chang)、厚畛子(zi)林(lin)(lin)場(chang)面(mian)(mian)積中(zhong)劃(hua)出;其(qi)中(zhong)國(guo)(guo)有(you)面(mian)(mian)積49849公頃,社(she)區(qu)用地(di)6544公頃。區(qu)內(nei)金(jin)(jin)(jin)絲(si)猴(hou)集中(zhong)分布的(de)14個小(xiao)區(qu)被劃(hua)分為(wei)(wei)6個核心小(xiao)區(qu),占總面(mian)(mian)積49.6%,其(qi)余50.4%為(wei)(wei)實驗區(qu)。
周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)自然保護區(qu)位于(yu)周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)南(nan)部秦嶺主梁北坡。地(di)理座標為東經107°46′—108°18′,北緯33°43′—33°53′,地(di)跨(kua)王(wang)家河(he)、板房子、厚畛(zhen)子3個鄉鎮(zhen)。東西(xi)(xi)(xi)長約65公(gong)里(li),南(nan)北寬約19公(gong)里(li)。東以(yi)(yi)南(nan)叉河(he)為界(jie)與小(xiao)王(wang)澗林場相(xiang)接(jie),南(nan)以(yi)(yi)秦嶺梁為界(jie),與寧陜(shan)縣(xian)、佛坪(ping)縣(xian)和佛坪(ping)保護區(qu)接(jie)壤,西(xi)(xi)(xi)以(yi)(yi)秦嶺梁為界(jie)與老縣(xian)城保護區(qu)為鄰,北與西(xi)(xi)(xi)安市小(xiao)王(wang)澗林場、周(zhou)至(zhi)(zhi)縣(xian)厚畛(zhen)子林場相(xiang)連。
保護區(qu)屬(shu)強烈切割中(zhong)山(shan)山(shan)地(di),山(shan)勢(shi)巍峨,地(di)形復雜,怪石嶙峋,河(he)深谷狹(xia),最(zui)高海拔達(da)2900米。由(you)于受(shou)海拔和(he)地(di)形的影(ying)響,區(qu)內(nei)四(si)季不明顯(xian),呈(cheng)現(xian)夏季短而涼(liang),冬季長而冷,低溫(wen)多雨(yu),光(guang)照不足,氣候垂(chui)直(zhi)變化顯(xian)著。區(qu)內(nei)年(nian)均溫(wen)6.4℃,年(nian)降水(shui)量(liang)約1000毫米。土壤(rang)自下而上為褐土、棕壤(rang)、灰化土和(he)高山(shan)草甸土。區(qu)內(nei)溪流眾(zhong)多,入渭河(he),屬(shu)黃河(he)水(shui)系。
保護區內大片森林植被是秦嶺北麓(lu)的(de)重(zhong)要集水區,約占(zhan)黑河上游集水區總面積的(de)38%,在涵(han)養水源、凈化空氣、調節氣候(hou)、保持水土等方面具有顯著(zhu)的(de)生態功能。
秦嶺北(bei)坡山體高(gao)大,溝谷縱橫,氣(qi)勢雄偉(wei),森林茂密(mi),在保(bao)護區呈現出壯麗獨特的自(zi)然景觀:
高山爛泥湖:位(wei)于保(bao)護區東南角(jiao),與寧陜縣交界,面積約15公頃(qing),海拔2300米,地勢開闊。因四周高而中間低,其內形成沼澤(ze)爛泥而得名,羚牛、黑(hei)熊等獸(shou)類經常活動于此。
七里(li)一(yi)線天(tian):由保(bao)護區北部東河口入溝東南而(er)(er)上直通秦嶺梁脊(ji)。路經(jing)七里(li)峽口,但見(jian)絕壁峭(qiao)面(mian)如削(xue),直插云天(tian),最(zui)狹之處僅有5米(mi),冷(leng)風(feng)颼颼,不見(jian)天(tian)日;冬(dong)季冰凌百仞懸于九天(tian),歷(li)經(jing)數月而(er)(er)不化。人(ren)行(xing)小(xiao)道(dao)沿河蜿蜒纏繞,人(ren)稱“十五道(dao)交河腳不干”,游人(ren)行(xing)于其間,妙趣橫生。
秦嶺冷杉林:位(wei)于保護區東南部(bu),樹形挺(ting)拔(ba)俊(jun)秀,立地巖石雄奇。置(zhi)身其間,令人豪情奔放(fang),神清氣(qi)爽,可盡情享受回歸自然的美妙感覺。
光頭(tou)山(shan)草(cao)甸(dian):位(wei)于保護區西南(nan)邊陲,與佛(fo)保、老保交界,海(hai)拔2838米,遍地生長一(yi)尺(chi)多高的雜草(cao),形(xing)成(cheng)一(yi)片草(cao)甸(dian),遠(yuan)望光禿一(yi)片,故名“光頭(tou)山(shan)”,近看(kan)則是一(yi)片花(hua)的地毯。清晨時(shi)分,但見霧(wu)靄繚(liao)繞(rao),云霞騰涌,茫(mang)茫(mang)云海(hai)瞬息萬變(bian),如入仙境。羚牛(niu)等野生動物活動頻繁(fan),易(yi)于觀(guan)察(cha)。
周(zhou)至自然保(bao)護區(qu)(qu)山(shan)(shan)體巍峨,溝大(da)谷深,小氣(qi)候(hou)多樣,植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)被覆蓋率(lv)90.5%,活(huo)立木蓄積量(liang)549萬立方(fang)米。植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)以華北植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen)為主,含有(you)(you)少量(liang)華中(zhong)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen),同(tong)時雜有(you)(you)橫(heng)(heng)斷(duan)山(shan)(shan)脈(mo)植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen),具有(you)(you)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類(lei)(lei)豐富、起源古老、過渡性強(qiang)烈、分(fen)布瀕危種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、垂直分(fen)布明顯、類(lei)(lei)型多樣等(deng)特點。目前已鑒定(ding)(ding)的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)1069種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。有(you)(you)果樹(shu)類(lei)(lei)90余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),藥用(yong)類(lei)(lei)170余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),芳香(xiang)油類(lei)(lei)45種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),油脂類(lei)(lei)22種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),纖維類(lei)(lei)60余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),淀粉(fen)類(lei)(lei)50余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),觀賞植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)130余(yu)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。區(qu)(qu)內(nei)保(bao)留一(yi)定(ding)(ding)數量(liang)的(de)北極(ji)第三紀植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen),如(ru)(ru)太白(bai)紅(hong)杉、堅樺、構樹(shu)、紫(zi)荊(jing)、中(zhong)槐、酸(suan)棗、黃(huang)(huang)連(lian)(lian)木、白(bai)臘(la)等(deng);同(tong)時含有(you)(you)華北平原亞地(di)區(qu)(qu)、遼東(dong)半島亞地(di)區(qu)(qu)的(de)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen),如(ru)(ru)楓楊、灰楸、黃(huang)(huang)連(lian)(lian)木、香(xiang)椿、遼東(dong)櫟;含有(you)(you)橫(heng)(heng)斷(duan)山(shan)(shan)脈(mo)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen),如(ru)(ru)華山(shan)(shan)松、刺(ci)毛忍冬(dong)、羽葉丁香(xiang)等(deng);含有(you)(you)青(qing)(qing)藏高原唐古拉地(di)區(qu)(qu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen)的(de)有(you)(you)高山(shan)(shan)繡線(xian)菊、毛茛、大(da)黃(huang)(huang)等(deng);還有(you)(you)華中(zhong)、滇(dian)、黔等(deng)地(di)區(qu)(qu)區(qu)(qu)系(xi)成(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)份(fen)(fen)(fen),如(ru)(ru)領春木、山(shan)(shan)白(bai)樹(shu)、椴樹(shu)等(deng)。區(qu)(qu)內(nei)有(you)(you)珍稀(xi)瀕危植(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)物(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)水(shui)青(qing)(qing)樹(shu)、連(lian)(lian)香(xiang)樹(shu)、山(shan)(shan)白(bai)樹(shu)、大(da)果青(qing)(qing)杄、秦(qin)嶺冷杉、羽葉丁香(xiang)、華榛、青(qing)(qing)檀、金錢槭、水(shui)曲柳、領春木、天麻、太白(bai)紅(hong)杉、野大(da)豆等(deng)14種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。
周至自然(ran)保護(hu)區有脊椎動(dong)物(wu)267種(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)獸類(lei)74種(zhong),鳥(niao)類(lei)160種(zhong),魚(yu)類(lei)5種(zhong),兩(liang)棲類(lei)8種(zhong),爬行(xing)類(lei)20種(zhong)。屬國家重點保護(hu)動(dong)物(wu)29種(zhong),其(qi)中(zhong)Ⅰ級保護(hu)動(dong)物(wu)有金絲(si)猴、大熊(xiong)貓、羚牛、豹(bao)、云豹(bao)、林(lin)(lin)(lin)麝等(deng)6種(zhong)。金絲(si)猴在(zai)區內分布集中(zhong),數量較多(duo),共有11群(qun),1210只(zhi)左右(you),平(ping)均分布密(mi)度7.14只(zhi)/平(ping)方公(gong)里,平(ping)均家域(yu)16.8平(ping)方公(gong)里/群(qun)。其(qi)活動(dong)海拔高度一般在(zai)1400—2500米之(zhi)間,冬季和(he)早(zao)春從高山下(xia)降(jiang)至1500米附近落葉闊(kuo)(kuo)葉林(lin)(lin)(lin)帶低凹避風處(chu),晚春及初夏由低向高活動(dong),盛夏則分布更高。其(qi)棲息(xi)地主(zhu)要(yao)在(zai)落葉闊(kuo)(kuo)葉林(lin)(lin)(lin)和(he)針(zhen)闊(kuo)(kuo)混(hun)交林(lin)(lin)(lin)內,春食(shi)嫩葉,秋(qiu)食(shi)果實,主(zhu)要(yao)食(shi)物(wu)(植物(wu))種(zhong)類(lei)57種(zhong),取食(shi)部位116處(chu)。
金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)為中國特產珍稀動物(wu)(wu)(wu),有(you)川(chuan)(chuan)、滇、黔3個(ge)亞種(zhong)。周(zhou)至(zhi)林區是川(chuan)(chuan)金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)分布(bu)的最北(bei)(bei)(bei)限,為全國分布(bu)密度最高地(di)區之一(yi)。1958年(nian)(nian),西(xi)(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)大(da)學生物(wu)(wu)(wu)系師生和陜西(xi)(xi)省(sheng)外貿局(ju)畜產公司工作人(ren)(ren)員在(zai)秦(qin)(qin)嶺(ling)發(fa)現金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)。1959年(nian)(nian),西(xi)(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)大(da)學生物(wu)(wu)(wu)系劉詩峰等專(zhuan)家(jia)發(fa)表有(you)關秦(qin)(qin)嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)的文(wen)章(zhang)。1974年(nian)(nian)4-5月,周(zhou)至(zhi)縣(xian)農林局(ju)在(zai)陜西(xi)(xi)省(sheng)生物(wu)(wu)(wu)資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan)考察隊(dui)協助(zhu)下,組織80余人(ren)(ren)的調查隊(dui),對周(zhou)至(zhi)秦(qin)(qin)嶺(ling)野生動物(wu)(wu)(wu)資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan)進行普查,發(fa)現金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)909只,羚牛506頭,并(bing)(bing)在(zai)老縣(xian)城發(fa)現大(da)熊貓。1981年(nian)(nian)5月,西(xi)(xi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)大(da)學生物(wu)(wu)(wu)系陳服官、閔芝(zhi)蘭,陜西(xi)(xi)省(sheng)動物(wu)(wu)(wu)研究所羅時有(you)、解(jie)文(wen)治等專(zhuan)家(jia)對秦(qin)(qin)嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan)情(qing)況進行專(zhuan)門調查,呼吁(yu)“必須盡快建立(li)金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護區”,并(bing)(bing)以《秦(qin)(qin)嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)資(zi)源(yuan)(yuan)及保(bao)(bao)護》為題,發(fa)出建立(li)秦(qin)(qin)嶺(ling)金(jin)(jin)絲(si)(si)猴(hou)自然(ran)保(bao)(bao)護區的建議。
金(jin)絲猴靈長(chang)目疣(you)猴科,全身披著光亮如絲、長(chang)而細密的(de)(de)黃棕色(se)的(de)(de)毛。頸(jing)部金(jin)黃色(se),臉(lian)青(qing)藍色(se)。雄(xiong)性身長(chang)80多(duo)(duo)厘米,尾長(chang)1米,重(zhong)20多(duo)(duo)千克。它(ta)通常以植物的(de)(de)葉、花、果實、嫩枝、真菌等為食。喜歡群居,每群由數(shu)十(shi)只(zhi)到上(shang)百只(zhi);群居的(de)(de)金(jin)絲猴家族內部和睦,并(bing)有不同的(de)(de)社會分(fen)工;夏季多(duo)(duo)在海拔(ba)高的(de)(de)山地(di)活動,冬季則轉移到海拔(ba)低的(de)(de)避風處(chu)生活,全年都(dou)有交配(pei),3~5月產仔。