Experts call for long-term wetlands protection in Xiamen

Updated: 04 Feb 2010
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Wuyuan Bay Wetland is the only freshwater wetland on the Xiamen Island
 
Xiamen has a total wetland area of about 385 square kilometers, accounting for 20.2% of the city’s total area (including sea area), according to Mr. Chen Zhihong, senior engineer at Xiamen Environmental Protection Scientific Research Institute.
 
There are 42 types of wetlands in the world, which are divided into natural wetlands and artificial wetlands. Xiamen has 16 types of wetlands, mainly including neritic zones, rivers (streams), beaches, estuaries, tidal flats, mangrove forests, breeding areas and reservoirs.
 
Among them, the area of neritic zones is 157 square meters, accounting for 40.8% of the total wetlands area in Xiamen.
 
With a total area of 159 square kilometers, the outlying district of Xiang’an has the largest area of wetlands in Xiamen , accounting for 41% of the total, followed by Jimei District with 56 square kilometers.
 
The wetlands in Xiamen are heavens for birds as the city sees many migratory birds every year, many of which are rare bird species.
 
According to Xiamen Bird Watching Society, there are a total of 118 species of water birds in Xiamen, accounting for 36.6% of the total species number. Among them, there are 8 endangered bird species.
 

However, with the rapid development of society and economy, the wetlands are facing problems such as the decline in the area. Besides, the unreasonable use of wetlands has led to the degradation of the environment, the loss of biodiversity and other problems.  

 

“Wetlands protection involves many departments, it requires the participation of all sectors of the society,” said Mr. Chen, who calls for a long-term development planning and action plans on the management and protection of the wetlands in Xiamen.

 
Translated by WOXnews.com
SOURCE Link: Xiamen Daily
 
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