The Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Phase III Project in the Chaohu Lake Basin of Anhui Province has been selected as a demonstrative project for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, local authorities announced.
Jointly led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide.
Chaohu Lake, one of China’s five major freshwater lakes, is situated near the city of Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province. The Eighteen Polder, located in Feidong County, is considered a vital wetland area within the Chaohu Lake ecosystem, according to the Chaohu Lake Management Bureau.
Since the 1960s, ongoing lake reclamation and population growth have led to increased human activity in the region, resulting in a fragile wetland ecosystem. Recognizing the environmental challenges, Hefei initiated the Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Project in 2017, implementing it in stages to revitalize the area.
The third phase of the project, completed in July 2022, focused on transforming approximately 4.3 square kilometers of artificial wetlands, including several breeding ponds, into multifunctional ecosystems. These restored wetlands now support water purification, biodiversity protection, flood storage, and sustainable production systems.
By the conclusion of this phase, 410 hectares were converted into ideal habitats for birds, and 263 hectares of forest and grass vegetation were restored. The biodiversity of the wetland increased significantly, with 15 species of aquatic plants discovered in the area for the first time. The number of local bird species rose from 63 before the project to 117 in 2022, according to the bureau.
The project’s recognition by the UN highlights the global importance of ecosystem restoration efforts. It serves as a model for similar initiatives aimed at preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
Reference(s):
Chaohu wetland selected as case of UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
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