Ningbo wetland wins national recognition

The Hangzhou Bay Wetland in the Ningbo Qianwan New Area, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

The Hangzhou Bay Wetland in the Ningbo Qianwan New Area was recently acknowledged as a national important wetland by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, making it the first wetland in Ningbo to receive such recognition.

Situated on the southern bank of Hangzhou Bay, the wetland is an example of an estuarine mudflat wetland, featuring picturesque mudflat landscapes and coastal wetlands. It is one of China's eight major salt-alkaline wetlands, known for its vast mudflats and diverse plant and animal species. It serves as a unique transitional zone between the central and northern subtropics in Central Asia.

The primary purpose of the wetland is to conserve coastal wetland ecosystems and preserve bird diversity. It serves as a crucial resting and wintering habitat for migratory geese, ducks, and waders along the East Asia-Australasian flyway. Every year, over 1 million migratory birds choose the wetland as a stopover, contributing to its vibrant biodiversity.

The wetland area is home to an impressive 303 documented bird species, including 62 species listed on the national key protected wild animal list. Furthermore, the China Red List of Biodiversity recognizes 37 threatened bird species, with four classified as critically endangered, nine as endangered, and nine as vulnerable.

The Hangzhou Bay National Wetland Park, an integral part of the wetland, has been actively promoting wetland environmental education and organizing various activities to enhance public understanding and appreciation of wetland environment protection and migratory birds. The wetland park has also emerged as a leading advocate for bird conservation, and in April, it was officially designated as one of the first bird-watching sites in Zhejiang.