Achievements, challenges, and recommendations for waterbird conservation in China's coastal wetlands

China's coastal wetlands, crucial for over 230 waterbird species—more than a quarter of the world's total—face severe threats from human activities, leading to habitat loss and population declines. Despite significant conservation efforts, including national legislation and site-specific protections, critical challenges persist, such as invasive species control, pollution, and artificial habitat quality. The study highlights that protecting natural tidal wetlands is essential for waterbird conservation, especially for species dependent on intertidal zones. While China has shown strong commitment to ecological restoration, sustained science-based actions are needed to mitigate ongoing threats and ensure long-term biodiversity protection.

Ma, Z., Choi, C.-Y., Gan, X., Li, J., Liu, Y., Melville, D. S., Mu, T., Piersma, T., & Zhang, Z. (2023). Achievements, challenges, and recommendations for waterbird conservation in China’s coastal wetlands. Avian Research, 14, 100123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avrs.2023.100123