Tidal flats of the Y ellow S ea: A review of ecosystem status and anthropogenic threats

Yellow Sea tidal flats, spanning over 4000 km along the coasts of China, North Korea, and South Korea, are classified as endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria due to significant areal decline (50-80%) in the last 50 years. This degradation is marked by increased algal blooms, hypoxic dead zones, jellyfish blooms, and declines in commercial fisheries and migratory bird populations. The study applies standardized remotely sensed habitat data and historic topographic maps to assess ecosystem status, highlighting urgent threats from pollution and coastal exploitation. Mitigation strategies proposed include improved regional and national coastal planning, expansion of protected areas, and enhanced management to curb illegal land reclamation.

Murray, N. J., Ma, Z., & Fuller, R. A. (2015). Tidal flats of the Yellow Sea: A review of ecosystem status and anthropogenic threats. Austral Ecology, 40(4), 472–481. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12211