Over the past four decades, China’s wetlands have experienced significant shrinkage, with a net loss of 12% since 1980, according to a groundbreaking study led by Prof. Dehua Mao and Prof. Zongming Wang from the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology. Published in Science Bulletin after five years of meticulous research, the study utilized over 53,000 Landsat images to create a comprehensive national wetland dataset (China_Wetlands). While a slight rebound occurred between 2015 and 2020, the findings highlight a troubling trend: the loss of natural wetlands has been masked by gains in human-made wetlands and surface water expansion.
The research team applied a hybrid classification approach to analyze wetland changes across six periods between 1980 and 2020. Their results revealed a net loss of approximately 60,900 square kilometers of wetlands, equivalent to 12% of the 1980 area. However, the study uncovered a hidden crisis—natural wetland loss was partially offset by a 15,600-square-kilometer increase in artificial wetlands, while vegetated wetlands declined due to a 14,000-square-kilometer expansion of surface water.
Prof. Zongming Wang emphasized the implications of these findings: “The ‘zero net loss target’ is not appropriate for sustainable wetland conservation.” The study underscores the need to consider not just total wetland area but also ecological quality and landscape structure.
Prof. Ming Jiang, a co-author, called for enhanced conservation efforts: “Sustainable management must address internal wetland conversions, invasive species, and climate change impacts.” The China_Wetlands dataset, now available to researchers, is expected to play a pivotal role in global environmental assessments.
The study provides critical insights into the complex dynamics of wetland changes in China, urging policymakers to rethink conservation strategies. With the China_Wetlands dataset now accessible, researchers worldwide can further investigate the ecological and climatic drivers behind these trends. As Prof. Wenping Yuan noted, this resource will be invaluable for achieving both national and global environmental goals.
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