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South China Wetlands Conservation
Introduction
Wetland management and conservation has been difficult for nature reserves in China due to limited funds, increased human disturbance, conflicts between economic development and conservation, and a complicated relationship between local government and communities. WWF Hong Kong currently focuses its work on cooperating with nature reserves along the South China coast as they are usually important wetlands in the region, Also, the short distance between Hong Kong and South China means closer cooperation can be achieved.
With the generous sponsorship from HSBC in July 2005, WWF Hong Kong conducted a one-year pilot project to provide direct support to the Zhangjiang Estuary National Mangrove Nature Reserve in Fujian Province. This Reserve supports the largest mangrove forest in Fujian. The success of the pilot study, encouraged HSBC to provide 5 years funding (2006-2011) to allow us to support work in the Zhangjiang Estuary Nature Reserve, and also the Haifeng Nature Reserve in Guangdong Province. The project has provided WWF Hong Kong with invaluable experience on how to tackle the challenges in wetland reserves in mainland China, primarily through improved cooperation with local stakeholders.
Objectives in the Zhangjiang Estuary Nature Reserve
- To reduce human disturbance through working closely with local communities, including co-management
- To raise public awareness through Education for Sustainable Development
- To help raise the living standard of local communities by providing alternative livelihoods and improving social welfare of the local community
Objectives in Haifeng Nature Reserve
- To protect biodiversity and their habitats through the development and implementation of conservation plans
- To demonstrate the wise use of wetlands through the co-management of aquaculture ponds with local fisherman
- To assist in the application for listing the Reserve as a Ramsar Site
- To raise public awareness on wetland conservation through Education of Sustainable Development (ESD)
Zhangjiang Estuary National Nature Reserve
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The Zhangjiang Estuary National Mangrove Nature Reserve was established as a county nature reserve in 1992, upgraded to a provincial nature reserve in 1997, and then to a national nature reserve in 2003. The 2,360 ha reserve has 167 ha of natural mangrove forest, the largest in Fujian. The rest of the reserve mainly consists of intertidal mudflats and river channel. It supports a wide variety of wildlife, including 21 state protected species such as the Burmese Python and Chinese White Dolphin offshore. Six species of mangrove have been recorded, along with 14 species of mammals, 154 species of birds, 37 species of reptiles and 13 species of amphibians.
Haifeng Provincial Nature Reserve
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Guangdong Haifeng Gongping and Daihu Nature Reserve is located in Haifeng County in Guangdong Province. It was established in 1998 with initial area of 7,088 ha, and was expanded to 11,588 ha in 2004. The reserve consists of three separate areas: Gongping Reservoir, Daihu District and Dongguan Lian'anwei District. It is composed of coastal areas, mangroves, intertidal mudflat as well as reservoirs. Some 70% of the area in the reserve is wetlands, which are important foraging, roosting and breeding habitats for waterbirds. Over 20,000 migratory waterbirds use Haifeng Nature Reserve as a wintering site, including globally endangered birds such as the Dalmatian Pelican, Purple Swamphen, Nordmann's Greenshank and Black-faced Spoonbill.
Enquiry
For more information, please contact Miss Polly Chik via pchik@wwf.org.hk or 3193-7509 |
