本次申报的海南热带雨林与黎族传统聚落遗产地位于海南岛中南部，是海南岛众多全球濒危特有物种的避难所，也是黎族人民世代聚居、与自然和谐共生、适应当地特殊自然条件的核心区域。

从自然角度看，海南热带雨林与黎族传统聚落遗产地拥有独特的物种组合与生境景观。

遗产地所在的海南岛位于北部湾东北部，与中国大陆隔琼州海峡相望，是印 — 缅生物多样性热点区域内、华南热带雨林生物地理省（406（4.6.1））中唯一的大型岛屿。

海南岛形成于印支地块与华夏地块碰撞过程，自新近纪（2300 万年至今）以来与华南地块分离。海南岛陆块曾长期与大陆相连，其动植物区系与华南沿海及北部湾毗邻的越南北部地区高度关联，属于全球生物多样性最丰富的区域之一。另一方面，海南岛与大陆分离已逾千万年，尽管冰期期间有过间歇性连接，其生物群落与生态系统仍独立演化成独具特色的山地生态系统，孕育了大量特有物种。在全球地质历史温暖期，这里的生态系统与物种与大陆相对隔离演化，呈现出极高的多样性与独特性。

海南热带雨林与黎族传统聚落遗产地以五指山为核心，陆地由中部山地向四周逐级递减，形成环形地貌结构。区内低地与山地分属 2017 生态区划分中两个独立生态区域：低地属于华南 — 越南亚热带常绿阔叶林生态区（268 号），山地属于海南岛季风林生态区（232 号）。前者曾广泛分布于华南低地与越南北部平原，目前仅在海南岛低地及中越边境地区残存极为有限的片段，并保留有天然次生植被；后者仅分布于海南五指山地区与雷州半岛东部山地等极小范围。

海南岛季风林是全球分布范围极有限、特异性极高的生态区类型。与之相应，海南热带雨林原生林及低山与周边低地的天然次生植被，是大量世界特有动植物唯一残存的栖息地。遗产地地形崎岖，海拔、地形与坡向形成的局地小气候差异，进一步丰富了海南热带雨林的物种与生态系统多样性，形成以下片区的独特特征：

（1）霸王岭：位于五指山区西部，是目前全球极危物种海南长臂猿唯一栖息地，保存有海南山地雨林顶级植被群落。

（2）五指山：位于五指山区中部，仍保留海南岛五指山地区完整典型的垂直植被带谱，也是以海南山鹧鸪、海南孔雀雉为代表的海南岛特有鸟类代表性栖息地。

（3）鹦哥岭：位于五指山区中部，南接五指山保护区，是五指山区连片面积最大、海拔跨度最大的原生林植被覆盖区，也是众多特有物种典型栖息地，区内还分布有典型黎族村落。

（4）尖峰岭：位于五指山区西南部，处于西太平洋热带气旋背风坡，气候相对干燥，形成与区内其他区域不同的森林类型。

（5）大田：位于五指山区西部，紧邻霸王岭，为靠近山地的山麓与低地地带，曾是海南坡鹿野生种群最后的避难所。在适度人为干预下，大田保护区保存了该生物地理省内唯一残存的热带稀树草原景观，海南坡鹿是这一景观的代表性物种。自黎族先民定居海南岛低地以来，持续的刀耕火种维持了这类生境直至近代。在毗邻的大陆沿海低地，这类生境与海南坡鹿已于数百年前随着集约化农业扩张而消失。在海南岛，仅存于大田的稀树草原也是海南坡鹿、黑麂、海南兔等特有物种的典型栖息地。

本遗产地是全球植物多样性中心（CPD）、** 重要鸟类区（IBA）与零灭绝联盟（AZE）** 所在地。

从文化角度看，海南热带雨林与黎族传统聚落遗产地是黎族主要聚居区，也是黎族长期定居并创造独特岛屿部族文化的区域。

遗产地保存有旧石器时代晚期至新石器时代的洞穴遗址，出土人类与动物骨骼碎片及石器，是早期人类生活的见证。遗产地内保存的黎族传统聚落仍可展现早期黎族社会形态特征。其人地互动、习俗与村落物质遗存，反映了适应当地自然环境的传统生活方式，是热带地区岛屿部族的典型代表，也具有一定的全球代表性。遗产地内黎族传统村落具有丰富的历史文化价值，其物质文化遗存（村落形态、传统建筑等）与非物质文化（农耕文化、传统习俗、方言体系、服饰制度与纺织技艺等）全面体现黎族民族文化特征。传统村落的选址、空间布局、建筑风格与营造技艺，充分展现黎族敬畏自然、善用自然的智慧，反映先民的价值观念与社会观，细致而广泛地呈现人与自然的关系。

突出普遍价值阐释

标准（iii）

洞穴遗址反映了海南岛先民对自然环境的适应与利用方式，对历史演进过程中黎族聚居地的形成与发展产生重要影响。黎族聚落中建筑环境（村落、建筑与构筑物等）的物质文化遗存，见证了文明发展进程中从原始社会向农耕社会的过渡。反映早期就地取材营造的建筑与自然和谐共生，这些物质遗存可作为证明黎族社会悠久历史的有力实证。

标准（v）

长期以来，黎族村落整体可视为热带岛屿与山地的居住范式，展现了人类聚居地与自然环境的完美适应与共生。一方面，黎族村落形态演变与内部建筑类型变化，充分体现黎族持续适应自然环境、生产生活一体化的特征；另一方面，反映了早期与近现代居住文化的融合。同时，黎族传统土地利用方式形成了山、林、草、田多样生境，为部分特有物种提供了特殊家园，塑造了海南岛传统居住环境中独特的生命共同体。然而，当地社会整体快速发展，尤其是全球化进程，使如今黎族村落面临日益脆弱的处境。

标准（x）

海南热带雨林与黎族传统聚落遗产地主要位于独特的海南岛季风林生态系统内，分布高等植物 3577 种，其中 428 种为海南岛特有。这里是海南长臂猿、海南鼯鼠、海南柳莺、海南孔雀雉、海南山鹧鸪等海南山地雨林特有物种的全球唯一栖息地。同时，遗产地及周边低山与低地也是海南坡鹿、黑麂、海南兔等海南低地季风林特有物种（亚种）在全球范围内仅存的栖息地。自末次冰期以来，黎族先民取代象、犀等大型哺乳动物，成为塑造海南岛低地与山地植被景观的主要力量，海南岛低地稀树草原得以保存，并成为上述低地物种在人类世最后的避难所。因此，本遗产地是在全球生物多样性保护中具有不可替代作用的重要地理单元。

真实性与完整性

真实性

海南热带雨林独特的自然环境为黎族村落千年延续提供了重要自然基础，既体现了与大陆岭南文化的延续性，又具有岛屿演化的独特性。如今，五指山地区黎族村落的广泛布局、独特的船型屋营造、特色农业设施与辨识度极高的宗教民俗特征，深刻揭示了该区域人与自然的互动关系。

海南热带雨林内和谐共生的传统船型屋、村落景观与周边环境，已通过黎族世代相传的古老传说、歌谣与传统锦缎图案得以记录。明清及民国时期海南岛船型屋、黎族村落景观与生活实况，分别在明清《琼黎风俗图》与民族历史画卷中有所记载。新中国成立后，当地黎族传统营造技艺不间断传承，至今黎族中青年仍掌握传统房屋建造技能。

完整性

遗产地包含典型地貌单元、植被类型与珍稀濒危特有物种栖息地，在要素、范围与价值层面均具备完整性，包括其与当地传统文化区域的关联性。

遗产地内，海南热带雨林国家公园范围内的霸王岭、五指山、鹦哥岭、尖峰岭，可完整代表五指山区不同坡向、海拔与地貌条件下形成的森林植被类型。大田国家级自然保护区代表了自末次冰期以来在人为干扰下形成的五指山低山与山麓特殊稀树草原景观。遗产地内的钱铁洞、皇帝洞等洞穴遗址，可作为石器时代早期人类活动的见证。现存的初保村、洪水村、白查村、俄查村等，是保存相对完整景观与建筑遗存的黎族村落典型代表，全面反映黎族生产生活。

上述遗产地内典型植被、珍稀濒危特有物种与黎族传统村落均受到中国相关法律严格保护，保存状况良好，遗产本体及相关环境具有高度完整性。但同时，为更完整地展现遗产地的突出普遍价值，强烈建议制定系统性的黎族传统村落修复规划。

与同类遗产对比

从生物地理区划看，遗产地所在的华南热带雨林生物地理省目前尚无岛屿型世界遗产地，该区域内现有世界自然遗产仅有越南下龙湾，但其突出价值以淹没型喀斯特地貌为核心，依据标准（vii）（突出自然美）与（viii）（地貌或地形特征）列入，而非依据标准（ix）（生态过程）与（x）（生物多样性与濒危物种栖息地）。

从全球生物多样性热点区看，遗产地所在的印 — 缅热点区，在生物多样性类世界遗产中面积占比不足 1%。同样，海南岛所在的全球 200 重点生态区，也是生物多样性类世界遗产覆盖极低的关键生态区。本遗产地既是全球 218 个特有鸟类区（EBA）之一，也是全球 234 个植物多样性中心（CPD）之一，海南岛所在的特有鸟类区与植物多样性中心仍属世界遗产空白区。

从世界遗产（潜在）价值看，目前已有 21 项依据标准（ix）或（x）列入的岛屿型世界遗产，38 项岛屿型世界遗产提名地。从生物多样性看，本遗产地已知陆生高等植物 3577 种，超过所有其他岛屿型世界遗产；其中特有种高达 428 种，也超过所有岛屿型世界遗产及热带非洲、东南亚主要大型岛屿。

通过对 24 项岛屿型世界遗产与 41 项岛屿型世界遗产提名地的对比分析，从生物地理区划、主要世界遗产（潜在）价值与动植物多样性等方面均表明，遗产地所在生物地理省属于生物多样性世界遗产空白区。本遗产地拥有比现有所有岛屿型世界遗产更多的陆生高等植物物种与陆生高等特有植物物种。

从保护全球历史文化景观的紧迫性以及黎族传统文化现存状况与社会环境看，黎族村落建筑环境的物质文化遗存反映了与大陆岭南及东南亚的文化延续性，以及岛屿文化演化的独特性，但正处于不可逆转的变化中，极为脆弱。黎族文化、传统与知识持续体现在传统村落船型屋建造与景观塑造中。传统村落、建筑与景观格局，生动诠释了黎族生活方式对自然环境的完美适应，也是黎族传统社会结构直接而鲜明的物质见证。

Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group

 China

Date of Submission: 19/01/2022

Criteria: (iii)(v)(x)

Category: Mixed

Submitted by:

Chinese National Commission for UNESCO

State, Province or Region:

Hainan Province

Coordinates: N18 23-19 17 E108 47-109 43

Ref.: 6582

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Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party

Description

The nominated property of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group, located in the southern-central part of Hainan Island, which is a sanctuary for numerous globally endangered and endemic species of Hainan Island, as well as the major place where the Li ethnic group has lived for generations and established a harmonious relationship between humans and nature, adapted to the special local natural conditions.

From the perspective of nature, the nominated property of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group has unique species groups and habitat landscapes.

Hainan Island, where the nominated property is located, is situated in the northeastern part of the Beibu Gulf, across the Qiongzhou Strait from Mainland China. It is the only large island in Southern China Rainforest Biogeographic Province (406 (4.6.1)) within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

Hainan Island was formed during the collision of Indo-China block and Cathaysia block, and it was separated from Southern China block since Neoproterozoic (23 Ma-present). The landmass of Hainan Island has been connected to the mainland for a long time, and its flora and fauna are highly correlated with the coastal areas of southern China and northern Vietnam adjacent to the Beibu Gulf, which are among the regions with the richest biodiversity in the world. On the other hand, since Hainan Island has been separated from the mainland for more than ten million years, the biological communities and ecosystems have evolved independently into unique mountain ecosystem with a large number of endemic species, although there were intermittent connections during the glacial period. The ecosystem and species here have evolved in isolation from the mainland during the warm period of global geological history, showing remarkable diversity and uniqueness.

The nominated property of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group is centered on Wuzhishan. The land descends gradually from the central mountain to the surrounding areas, forming a ring-shaped landform structure. The lowlands and mountains in the area belong to two separate ecological regions in the Ecoregion 2017. The lowlands belong to the 268. South China-Vietnam subtropical evergreen forests, and the mountains belong to the 232. Hainan Island monsoon rain forests. The former was once widely distributed in the lowlands of southern China and the northern plains of Vietnam, but currently only has extremely limited residual part in the lowlands of Hainan Island and the Sino-Vietnamese border, with the remains of natural secondary vegetation. The latter is only distributed in a very small scope of Wuzhishan area of Hainan Province and the eastern mountainous area of the Leizhou Peninsula.

The monsoon forest of Hainan Island is a highly specific type of ecological region with extremely limited global distribution. Correspondingly, the primeval forests of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the natural secondary vegetation of lower mountains and surrounding lowlands are the only remaining habitats for a large number of endemic animals and plants in the world. The rugged terrain of the nominated property, with the local microclimate differences caused by altitude, topography and slope direction, further enriches the species and ecosystem diversity of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, making the unique characteristics of the following areas:

(1) Bawangling: Located in the west of Wuzhishan area, Bawangling is currently the only habitat for the world's critically endangered species of Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus hainanus, CR), and it preserves the top vegetation communities of Hainan Mountain rainforest.

(2) Wuzhishan: Located in the middle of Wuzhishan area, Wuzhishan still maintains a complete spectrum of typical vertical vegetation zone in Wuzhishan area of Hainan Island, and is also a representative habitat for the endemic birds of Hainan Island, represented by the Hainan Partridge (Arborophila ardens) and Hainan Peacock-Pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae).

(3) Yinggeling: Located in the middle of Wuzhishan area, adjacent to Wuzhishan Reserve in the south, Yinggeling is the primeval forest vegetation coverage area with the largest contiguous area and the largest altitude span in Wuzhishan area, which is also a typical habitat for various endemic species. In addition, there are some typical Li villages here.

(4) Jianfengling: Located inthe southwest of Wuzhishan area, Jianfengling is the leeward slope of tropical cyclones in the western Pacific Ocean. The relatively dry climate brings different forest form compares to other parts of the area.

(5) Datian: Located in the west of Wuzhishan area, close to Bawangling, Datian is foothill and lowland close to mountains, where was once the last refuge for the wild population of Hainan eld’s deer (Cervus eldi hainanus, EN). With moderate human intervention, the only remaining tropical savanna landscape in this biogeographic province is preserved in Datian Reserve. The Hainan eld’s deer is a representative species in this landscape. Since the ancestors of Li ethnic group settled in the lowlands of Hainan Island, continuous slash-and-burn cultivation has maintained such habitat until modern times. In the adjacent coastal lowlands of the mainland, this type of habitat and Hainan eld’s deer have disappeared with the spread of intensive farming since several centuries ago. In Hainan Island, the savanna which only exists in Datian is also a typical habitat for endemic species such as Hainan eld’s deer (Cervus eldi hainanus, EN), Hainan muntjac (Muntiacus nigripes), and Hainan Hare (Lepus hainanus).

The nominated property is one of the Centres of Plant Diversity (CPD), which is also the site of the Important Bird Area (IBA) and the Alliance of Zero Extinction (AZE).

From the perspective of culture, the nominated property of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlement of Li Ethnic Group is the main living area of Li people and also the place where Li people have settled down for a long time and created a unique island tribal culture.

The nominated property preserved cave sites dating from the Late Palaeolithic to the Neolithic period, with human and animal bone fragments and stone tools that are the testimony of the early human life. The traditional settlement of Li ethnic group preserved in the nominated property can still show the morphological characteristics of early Li society. Their man-land interactions, customs, and physical remains of the villages reflect their traditional way of life illustrating how the local people adapt to the natural environment, which are a typical representatives of island tribes in tropical areas and, also have a certain global representation. The traditional villages of Li ethnic group in the nominated property are rich in historical and cultural values. Their physical cultural remains (such as village form and traditional architecture, etc.), and intangible culture (such as farming culture, traditional customs, dialect system, costume system and textile technology, etc.) fully reflect the ethnical cultural characteristics of Li people. The site selection, spatial layout, architectural style, and technology used in the traditional villages fully demonstrate Li people’s wisdom in revering nature and making good use of it, reflecting the values and social views of their ancestors, meticulously and extensively presenting the relationship between human and nature.

Justification of Outstanding Universal Value

Criterion (iii): Cave sites reflect the way how the ancestors of Hainan Island responded to the natural environment as well as used it for survival, which also has important influnces in the formation and development of Li ethnic group settlement during the course of historical evolution. The physical and cultural remains of the built environment (villages, buildings and structures, etc.) in the Li settlements have witnessed the transition from primitive society to agricultural society during the development of civilization. Reflecting the early buildings built from local materials have reflcted harmoniously coexistence with the nature, the physical and cultural remains of the built environment can be used as strong evidence to demostrate a long history of Li society.

Criterion (v): For a long time, Li village as a whole can be seen as a residential paragidm of tropical islands and mountains, showing the perfect coadapation and coexistence between human settlements and natural environment. On the one hand, the morphological evolution of Li villages and the typological change of buildings and structures within them fully reflect the characteristics of Li people’s continuous adaptation to natural environment and integration of their life and production. On the other hand, it reflects the merging of inhabitation culture between the early stage and modern time. At the same time, the traditional land use of Li people has developed a diversified habitat with mountains, forests, grass and fields, providing a special home for some endemic species, and shaping a special living community in the traditional residential environment of Hainan Island. However, the rapid development of local society in general, and globalization in particular, has caused an increasingly vulnerable situation for today's Li villages.

Criterion (x): The nominated property of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and the Traditional Settlemenis of Li Ethnic Group is mainly located in the unique Hainan Island monsoon forest ecosystem with 3577 species of higher plants, 428 of which are endemic to Hainan Island. It is also the only habitat in the world for Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus hainanus, CR), Petaurista hainana, Hainan Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus hainanus), Hainan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae, EN), Hainan Partridge (Arborophila ardens, VU), and other Hainan Mountain rainforest endemic species. Meanwhile, the nominated property of Hainan Tropical Rainforest and Li Culture lower mountains and the surrounding lowlands are the only remaining habitat among the world for endemic species (subspecies) of Hainan lowland monsoon rainforest such as Hainan eld’s deer (Cervus eldii hainanus, EN), Hainan Muntjac (Muntiacus nigripes, VU) and Hainan Hare (Lepus hainanus, VU). Since the last ice age, the ancestors of Li ethnic group replaced large mammals such as elephants and rhinoceroses and became the main force which shaping the vegetation landscape in lowlands and mountainous area of Hainan Island. The lowland savanna of Hainan Island was thus preserved and has become the last refuge of the above-mentioned lowland species in the Anthropocene. Therefore, the nominated property is an important geographical unit with an irreplaceable role in global biodiversity conservation.

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

Authenticity

The unique natural environment of Hainan Tropical Rainforest has provided an important natural foundation for the continuation of Li villages for thousands of years, not only in the continuity with the mainland Ling’nan culture, but also the uniqueness of its island evolution. Today, the extensive layout of Li villages in Wuzhishan area, the unique boat-shape house construction, the distinctive agricultural facilities and the highly identifiable religious and folk features have profoundly revealed the interactive relationship between human and nature in this area.

The traditional boat-shape houses, village landscape and the surrounding environment presenting harmonious coexistence in Hainan Tropical Rainforest has been recorded in the ancient legends, ballads and traditional brocade patterns from generation to generation by Li people. The landscape of boat-shape houses & Li villages, and life record within them in Hainan Island during the age of the Ming and Qing Dynasties as well as Republican of China have been respectively doucumented in the Qiongli Customs Map and the Ethnic History Picture Scrolls during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the local Li people’s traditional house-building technology has been passed down uninterruptedly. Up till now, the young and middle-aged Li people still have the construction skills of traditional houses.

Integrity

The nominated property contains typical geomorphic units, vegetation types, and habitats of rare and endangered endemic species is complete in terms of elements, scope and values, including their relevance to local traditional cultural areas.

In the nominated property, Bawangling, Wuzhishan, Yinggeling, and Jianfengling located within Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park can fully represent the types of forest vegetation formed under different slope directions, altitudes and geomorphic conditions in Wuzhishan area. Datian Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve, which represents the special savanna landscape of the low mountain and piedmont of Wuzhishan formed under human disturbance since the Last Glaciation. The cave sites in the nominated property, such as Qian Tie Cave and Emperor Cave, can be witnesses of early human activities during the Stone Age. The existing Chubao Village, Hongshui Village, Baicha Village, and Echa Village in the nominated property are typical representatives of Li village preserving a relatively complete remains of landscape and builiding, fully reflecting the life and producttion of Li ethnic group.

The typical vegetation, rare and endangered endemic species, and traditional Li villages in the above-mentioned nominated property are strictly protected by the relevant Chinese laws and are in good conditions, with great integrity of the nominated property itself as well as its associated environment. However, at the same time, in order to demonstrate the outstanding universal value of the nominated property with better integrity, a systematic restoration plan of the traditional Li villages is highly recommended.

Comparison with other similar properties

From the perspective of biogeographical division, there are no island-type World Heritage properties in the Tropical Forest Biogeographic Province of Southern China, where the nominated property is located. There is currently only one World Natural Heritage Property in this area, namely Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage property in Vietnam. However, Ha Long Bay, which outstanding value of the property is centred around the drowned limestone karst landforms, was inscribed as a World Heritage Site under criteria (vii) (Outstanding natural beauty) and (viii) (geomorphic or physiographic features), not under criteria (ix) (ecological processes) and (x) (biological diversity and threatened species habitats).

From the perspective of Global Biodiversity Hotspots, Indo-Burma Hotspots where the nominated property is located, covers less than 1% of the biodiversity World Heritage in terms of area. Similarly, the Global 200 key ecological area where Hainan Island located is also a key ecological area, but with extremely low coverage of biodiversity World Heritage. The nominated property is not only one of the 218 Endemic Bird Areas (EBA) in the world, but also one of the 234 Centre of Plant Diversity (CPD) in the world.The EBA and CPD where Hainan Island located is still a vacant area of World Heritage Site.

From the perspective of World Heritage Value (potential), there are 21 island types of World Heritage Properties inscribed under criteria (ix) or criteria (x), 38 Island-Type World Heritage Properties inscribed under criteria (ix) or criteria (x). From the perspective of biodiversity, the number of known terrestrial higher plants and endemic species in the nominated property is 3577, exceeding all other Island-Type World Heritage Sites. Among them, there are up to 428 endemic species, which also exceeds all Island-Type World Heritage Sites and major large islands in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia.

From the aspects of biogeographic division, the main World Heritage Value (potential) and the diversity of flora and fauna show that the biogeographic province where the nominated property is located is a vacant area of Biodiversity World Heritage, given a comparative analysis of 24 Island-Type World Heritage Sites and 41 Island-Type World Heritage Nominated Sites. The nominated property has more terrestrial higher plant species and more endemic terrestrial higher plant species than all existing Island-Type World Heritage Sites.

In the light of the urgency of preserving the global historical cultural landscape and the current physical status of traditional Li culture as well as its social environment, the physical and cultural remains of built environment in Li villages can reflect cultural continuity with the mainland Ling’nan and Southeast Asia, and the uniqueness of the island culture evolution, but under an irreversible change to become extremely fragile. The culture, tradition and knowledge of Li people are continuously being reflected in the construction of boat-shape houses and landscape shaping in their traditional villages. The traditional villages, buildings and landscape patterns illustrate how perfectly the life stye of Li people continued adapting to the natural environment, which are also a direct and distinct physical witness to the traditional social structure of Li ethnic group.