At the northern edge of the Yellow Sea Ecoregion lies the Yalu River estuary in Dandong, Liaoning Province—a vital sanctuary for migratory birds journeying along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This flyway connects more than 20 countries and regions, stretching from the Arctic through Southeast Asia to Australasia.
Each year from March to May, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds embark on an epic migration from Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia to breeding grounds in the Russian Far East and Alaska. The Yalu River Estuary Wetland serves as a pivotal final stopover and refueling station for these birds, providing essential resources that support their breeding and survival.
Recent surveys have documented an impressive 324 bird species within the reserve, encompassing 148 waterbirds and 176 forest birds. Notably, 26 of these species are classified as threatened with extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and 32 species are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices.
The international significance of the Yalu River estuary was recognized when it became part of the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase II), which were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 26. This follows the inscription of the Phase I sanctuaries in 2019, underscoring the global importance of these habitats.
The protection of the Yalu River estuary is not only crucial for the migratory birds that depend on it but also reflects a broader commitment to conserving biodiversity and supporting ecological balance along one of the world’s most important migratory routes.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
