Xi Dongting Lake (Mupinghu) Nature Reserve. 11/01/02; Hunan; 35,000 ha; 29°01’N 112°05’E. Nature Reserve. The important western part of Dongting Lake, comprising open freshwater lake and smaller lakes, some shallow mudflats during low water periods, reed swamp, sphagnum bog, and beaches. The site is very important for rare fish, such as the endangered Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), and birds, such as the endangered Oriental Stork (Ciconia boyciana); in addition it serves as a staging area for many other migrating cranes and storks. Fishing, and increasingly fish-breeding, and livestock grazing are important economic activities dependent upon the site. The wetland provides water to over 90,000 people and 10 local industries. Conservation research and education have been developed in collaboration with WWF. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River has impacted the wetland through a change in hydrological conditions and sedimentation. Ramsar site no. 1154. Most recent RIS information: 2008.