中国荔枝文化遗产的特点、价值及保护——基于岭南荔枝种植系统(增城)的实证研究

Characteristics,value,and conservation of litchi heritage systems in China:A case study of the Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System(Zengcheng)

中国是荔枝的原产地,是荔枝产业第一大国,拥有全球最丰富、最优质的荔枝品种。同时荔枝历史上有“百果之王”等美称,是中国文化底蕴最为深厚的果品之一。荔枝文化遗产极具中国特色且拥有全球影响力,对其保护与发展开展研究具有重要意义。本文以中国重要农业文化遗产岭南荔枝种植系统(增城)为案例,采用实地调查、深度访谈等研究方法,对荔枝文化遗产的特点、价值及保护进行了探讨。遗产地荔枝栽培历史悠久,‘挂绿’驰名中外,种质与古树资源丰富,拥有完备的生产技术体系,荔枝文化资源厚重多元。岭南荔枝种植系统(增城)是一个生态、经济与文化价值俱佳,具有南亚热带特色的生产和文化系统,但当前面临着城镇化与现代农业发展的冲击、古荔树保护力度不够、遗产价值认知不足等威胁。提出以下遗产保护与发展的建议:选择山枝与水枝的代表性区域,建设田园空间博物馆;实施古荔树保护工程,强化古树的管理与护养;加大荔枝文化普及力度,提升民众文化自觉能力;以荔枝产业园、特色小镇、果场为重点,推动荔枝产业升级发展。荔枝相关遗产地应联合申报全球重要农业文化遗产,以推动中国荔枝文化遗产的进一步保护与宣扬。

The litchi(Litchi chinensis)known as the“King of Fruits”,originated from China and has historic significance in Chinese culture.China is currently the largest producer of litchi and is considered to have the richest and finest litchi cultivars in the world.The current system used to cultivate litchi in China conserves past agricultural heritage systems that are recognized globally.Thus,it is of great significance to study the conservation and development of litchi heritage for its Chinese characteristics and global influence.This study aimed to investigate the characteristics,value,and conservation of the litchi heritage system using a typical Guangdong litchi heritage system—the Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System(Zengcheng),as a case study.Guangdong is referred to as the“Kingdom of Litchi”because the province is the largest(and considered the best)producer of litchi in China.The Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System(Zhengcheng)located in Zengcheng District,Guangzhou City,Guangdong Province is recognized as a China Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems site.The present study was based on assessment of field methods,and in-depth interviews,performed at the site.The findings revealed that the Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System(Zhengcheng)with 2000 years cultivation history possesses rich cultural resources(including historical relic,folklore,literature,art,and cultural landscape),demonstrates advanced farming techniques(such as terrace planting and fruit-base-pond),contains genetically diverse germplasms(more than 70 cultivars,50 of them are native),while also maintaining numerous historically significant ancient litchi trees.The Lingnan Litchi Cultivation System(Zengcheng),located in the south subtropical zone,is an agricultural production and cultural system with great values in ecology,economy and culture.However,Zengcheng litchi heritage sustainability is currently faced with threats posed by urban expansion and the development of modern agriculture practices.Additionally,a lack of countermeasures to ensure the protection of ancient litchi trees and inadequate recognition of the heritage value of these sites are of growing concern.Based on our findings we recommend several measures be undertaken to ensure the conservation of litchi heritage systems in China.Our first recommendation is the selection of the representative areas of Mountain Litchi and Water Litchi to build pastoral museums.Moreover,implementation of protection measures to secure the ongoing management and maintenance of ancient litchi trees should be a priority.Also important is the strengthening of attitudes toward the cultural significance of litchi heritage systems,while also promoting the upgrading,and development of litchi industry by focusing on the development of litchi industrial parks,characteristic towns,and farms.The findings of the present case study,and recommended conservation measures,can be used as a point of reference for other similar heritage sites.In the future,litchi agricultural heritage system sites should be jointly applied for the‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems’to ensure the ongoing conservation and recognition of litchi heritage systems in China.