Shenzhen and Hong Kong Collaborate to Preserve Mangrove Wetlands
Shenzhen and Hong Kong are collaborating to protect and preserve their mangrove wetland areas.
TroibNews 
Located at the core of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve in Shenzhen and the Mai Po Nature Reserve in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region play crucial roles in preserving an extensive network of mangrove wetlands.
These wetlands are ecologically interconnected and serve as a significant overwintering habitat and refueling station for waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
In February 2023, the Futian mangrove in Shenzhen received designation as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This recognition means that combined with Mai Po, Shenzhen Bay is now home to two wetlands of international significance.
Mangroves offer vital protection for coastlines against erosion, support diverse wildlife, and provide essential nesting sites for various bird species.
"Mangroves are unique and complex ecosystems, often difficult for humans to access. Their dense canopy provides birds with quiet, undisturbed nesting areas," noted Simon Wong, a nature officer at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the HKSAR government.
In addition to their ecological benefits, mangroves sequester carbon, help mitigate climate change, and filter out pollutants.
The wetlands at Futian and Mai Po not only host a rich array of biodiversity but also represent the strong collaboration between Shenzhen and the HKSAR in ecological conservation efforts.
Following the signing of a framework arrangement for the conservation of Shenzhen Bay wetlands in January 2023, the two regions have worked together on various initiatives, including ecological baseline monitoring, waterbird surveys, and environmental education.
"The Shenzhen Bay is essentially a shared wetland between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Despite being separated by the Shenzhen River, the ecosystem remains consistent," stated Yang Qiong, a senior engineer at the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau.
The black-faced spoonbill, one of the most protected species in China, has exhibited a notable population recovery, increasing from fewer than 300 individuals in the 1990s to 6,988 counted globally in January 2024. To keep track of these numbers, synchronized surveys and AI-powered monitoring technology are employed by both Shenzhen and the HKSAR to minimize disruption.
On November 6, 2024, an agreement was established to create the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen, signaling the start of enhanced cross-border wetland conservation efforts.
This platform aims to foster collaboration in science, technology, and resource management, promoting wetland protection across the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The cooperative model seen in Shenzhen Bay could serve as a global benchmark for joint conservation initiatives.
For further information:
Journeys in Nature: Bauhinia and Lotus Series
Shared by Nature: Why is China setting up an international mangrove center in Shenzhen.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
These wetlands are ecologically interconnected and serve as a significant overwintering habitat and refueling station for waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
In February 2023, the Futian mangrove in Shenzhen received designation as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This recognition means that combined with Mai Po, Shenzhen Bay is now home to two wetlands of international significance.
Mangroves offer vital protection for coastlines against erosion, support diverse wildlife, and provide essential nesting sites for various bird species.
"Mangroves are unique and complex ecosystems, often difficult for humans to access. Their dense canopy provides birds with quiet, undisturbed nesting areas," noted Simon Wong, a nature officer at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the HKSAR government.
In addition to their ecological benefits, mangroves sequester carbon, help mitigate climate change, and filter out pollutants.
The wetlands at Futian and Mai Po not only host a rich array of biodiversity but also represent the strong collaboration between Shenzhen and the HKSAR in ecological conservation efforts.
Following the signing of a framework arrangement for the conservation of Shenzhen Bay wetlands in January 2023, the two regions have worked together on various initiatives, including ecological baseline monitoring, waterbird surveys, and environmental education.
"The Shenzhen Bay is essentially a shared wetland between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Despite being separated by the Shenzhen River, the ecosystem remains consistent," stated Yang Qiong, a senior engineer at the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau.
The black-faced spoonbill, one of the most protected species in China, has exhibited a notable population recovery, increasing from fewer than 300 individuals in the 1990s to 6,988 counted globally in January 2024. To keep track of these numbers, synchronized surveys and AI-powered monitoring technology are employed by both Shenzhen and the HKSAR to minimize disruption.
On November 6, 2024, an agreement was established to create the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen, signaling the start of enhanced cross-border wetland conservation efforts.
This platform aims to foster collaboration in science, technology, and resource management, promoting wetland protection across the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The cooperative model seen in Shenzhen Bay could serve as a global benchmark for joint conservation initiatives.
For further information:
Journeys in Nature: Bauhinia and Lotus Series
Shared by Nature: Why is China setting up an international mangrove center in Shenzhen.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
