Wetland Area in China Remains Over 56.35 Million Hectares
China's wetland area remains above 56.35 million hectares.
TroibNews 
China has made significant strides in wetland conservation and restoration, implementing more than 3,700 projects and adding or restoring over 1 million hectares of wetlands, as reported by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.
Consequently, the nation's total wetland area has stabilized at over 56.35 million hectares. More than 2,200 wetland nature reserves have been established, greatly enhancing the ecological conditions of crucial wetland regions.
In recent years, the country has bolstered its legal framework for wetland protection and undertaken extensive monitoring of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. China has also fast-tracked a special initiative aimed at the conservation and restoration of mangroves, increasing the area by 8,800 hectares and restoring 8,200 hectares over the past five years.
Currently, China's total mangrove area is 30,300 hectares, reflecting an increase of 8,300 hectares since the early 2000s. This achievement positions China as one of the few nations globally to experience a net gain in mangrove forests.
Additionally, substantial progress has been achieved in addressing the threat of invasive species to wetland ecosystems. By the end of 2024, the country had managed to control Spartina alterniflora across 73,300 hectares, accomplishing 89.4 percent of its overall target and effectively mitigating its unchecked spread.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's national wetland park system. Over the two decades, 903 national wetland parks have been established, protecting 2.4 million hectares of wetlands and contributing over 50 billion yuan to regional economic growth. Approximately 90 percent of these parks are accessible to the public at no cost.
Sunday will also commemorate the 29th World Wetlands Day, with this year's theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," underscoring the vital role of wetland conservation in fostering a sustainable future.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Consequently, the nation's total wetland area has stabilized at over 56.35 million hectares. More than 2,200 wetland nature reserves have been established, greatly enhancing the ecological conditions of crucial wetland regions.
In recent years, the country has bolstered its legal framework for wetland protection and undertaken extensive monitoring of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. China has also fast-tracked a special initiative aimed at the conservation and restoration of mangroves, increasing the area by 8,800 hectares and restoring 8,200 hectares over the past five years.
Currently, China's total mangrove area is 30,300 hectares, reflecting an increase of 8,300 hectares since the early 2000s. This achievement positions China as one of the few nations globally to experience a net gain in mangrove forests.
Additionally, substantial progress has been achieved in addressing the threat of invasive species to wetland ecosystems. By the end of 2024, the country had managed to control Spartina alterniflora across 73,300 hectares, accomplishing 89.4 percent of its overall target and effectively mitigating its unchecked spread.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's national wetland park system. Over the two decades, 903 national wetland parks have been established, protecting 2.4 million hectares of wetlands and contributing over 50 billion yuan to regional economic growth. Approximately 90 percent of these parks are accessible to the public at no cost.
Sunday will also commemorate the 29th World Wetlands Day, with this year's theme "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," underscoring the vital role of wetland conservation in fostering a sustainable future.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
