China takes lead in wetland restoration

China has added more than 1 million hectares of wetlands since 2012 — equivalent to restoring an area the size of London every two years — bringing its total wetland area to over 56 million hectares, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced on Sunday, the 29th World Wetlands Day.

This achievement is part of China's broader efforts to restore and protect its wetland ecosystems, which have seen significant improvements in their ecological conditions, with over 2,200 wetland nature reserves established nationwide.

Covering just 6 percent of the Earth's land surface, wetlands are among the planet's most productive ecosystems. They support 40 percent of all species, including countless plants, fish and migratory birds, while providing critical services such as water purification, flood control, and carbon storage, according to renowned wetland ecologist Max Finlayson.

China's mangrove restoration efforts have been particularly noteworthy. Over the past five years, the country has planted over 8,800 hectares of mangroves and restored an additional 8,200 hectares, making it one of the few nations globally to achieve a net increase in mangrove coverage.

China's mangrove area exceeds 30,000 hectares, a nearly 40 percent increase since the early 2000s, the forestry and grassland administration said.

Catherine Lovelock, a mangrove ecologist and professor at the University of Queensland, said, "Restoring mangroves is one of the most cost-effective ways to combat climate change and protect wetland health."

In December, China further solidified its commitment by establishing the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, aimed at promoting global collaboration in mangrove conservation.

Zhou Licheng, head of planning and construction at the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Shandong province, said a critical aspect of China's wetland conservation is the control of Spartina alterniflora, an invasive species that disrupts coastal ecosystems.

"In areas densely populated by Spartina alterniflora, water flow slows, native plants disappear, and benthic organisms like clams and crabs die off, reducing habitats for birds," he said

Since the launch of the Spartina alterniflora Control Action Plan (2022–2025), nearly 90 percent of the targeted areas have been treated, effectively curbing the species' spread, according to the administration.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China's national wetland park system. Over the past two decades, 903 national wetland parks have been established, protecting 2.4 million hectares of wetlands and generating over 50 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) in regional economic growth. Approximately 90 percent of these parks are free to the public.

The administration said China's wetland parks are a model for integrating ecological conservation with public well-being.

As China continues to implement its Wetland Protection Law and expand conservation initiatives, the focus is shifting toward innovative models like "wetland culture-tourism" and cross-border collaboration, the administration added.