Wildlife of
Jilin Sheng

Broadleaf-mixed forests (including Korean pine-broadleaf mixtures) dominate the wetter eastern mountains and foothills; secondary broadleaf forests also occur where historical logging/agriculture altered landscapes.

Primary natural biome; extensive in eastern and southeastern Jilin, especially around the Changbai Mountains and adjacent uplands

Cold-tolerant conifer forests (spruce-fir/larch components) occur in the upper montane belt of the Changbai Mountains, forming a boreal-leaning zone above mixed temperate forests.

Patchy to locally continuous at higher elevations in the Changbai range; limited province-wide but ecologically prominent in the southeast

Above treeline on the highest Changbai peaks, harsh conditions support alpine shrub/herb communities and alpine meadows around exposed ridgelines and volcanic landforms.

Very limited; confined to the highest elevations of Changbai Mountains (notably near the summit area)

Alpine tundra-like vegetation (low shrubs, mosses, and cold-adapted herbs) occurs in the coldest, windiest summit-zone microhabitats.

Tiny, summit-restricted patches in the highest Changbai areas

Meadow steppe/grassland on the western plains and basin areas, heavily intermixed with cropland; important for ground-nesting birds and grazing landscapes.

Substantial in western Jilin (Songnen Plain), increasingly fragmented by agriculture

Large rivers (Songhua and tributaries; Nen; Yalu and Tumen headwaters/border rivers), reservoirs, and crater lake systems support fish communities and riparian corridors.

Widespread along major valleys and plains; highest density along Songhua-Nen systems and Changbai headwaters

Extensive floodplain marshes, seasonally inundated grass-marsh mosaics, and reedbeds on the plains (notably in the west) provide critical stopover and breeding habitat for cranes, storks, geese, and ducks.

Localized but regionally significant; concentrated in western/central floodplains and lake-associated lowlands (e.g., Momoge/Xianghain-type wetland complexes)

Mountain and foothill forest matrices, including protected areas around the Changbai Mountains with relatively intact stands and wildlife corridors.

Oak, birch, aspen and mixed broadleaf stands in lower elevations and regrowth areas, often forming mosaics with agriculture and settlements in central/eastern Jilin.

Higher-elevation spruce-fir/larch-dominated forests and mixed conifer belts on Changbai slopes; important for cold-adapted fauna and watershed protection.

Changbai Mountains and associated volcanic/topographic complexity create strong elevational zonation, diverse microclimates, and headwater catchments.

Rock outcrops and steep valley walls in mountain terrain provide raptor nesting sites and specialized plant niches.

Limited karst/rock shelters and small caves occur locally; more common are lava/rock cavities in volcanic terrains, used by bats and small fauna where present.

Meadow grasslands on the western plains and saline-alkaline meadow fringes; often interspersed with cropland and drainage canals.

Meadow steppe elements in the drier west, with increasing fragmentation from cultivation and grazing.

Shrub-grass mosaics on disturbed slopes, forest edges, and drier plain margins, including early-successional habitats after fire or clearing.

Songhua River system and tributaries form major riparian corridors; Yalu and Tumen rivers define border stretches with forested headwaters and valley wetlands.

Natural and managed lakes/reservoirs on the plains and in volcanic/mountain settings; includes large shallow lakes important for waterbirds and fisheries.

Farm ponds, aquaculture ponds, and small impoundments across agricultural districts provide secondary wetland habitat (often eutrophic).

Floodplain wetlands and seasonally inundated marsh-meadow complexes (notably in the west) that support cranes and other migratory birds.

Reedbeds and sedge marshes around shallow lakes and river floodplains; key breeding/stopover habitat for waterfowl.

Small peat-forming wetlands occur in cool, poorly drained mountain/foothill settings (localized compared with marshes).

Extensive cropland on the central/western plains (major grain production), driving habitat fragmentation but also creating field-wetland mosaics used by some species.

Dense urban cores such as Changchun and Jilin City with highly modified habitats and riverfront green belts.

Peri-urban expansion zones with mixed housing, industry, parks, and remnant farmland/wetlands that can still support common birds and small mammals.