China's Leading Role in Wetland Conservation: Lessons Learned and Future Directions

1. China’s experience in wetland conservation Gennadii Marushevskyi

2. Seminar in China • 2018 Seminar on Wetland and Migratory Bird Conservation and Management for Foreign Officials under Belt & Road Initiative • July 25 - August 14, 2018, Hangzhou • Organizers: • China National Bamboo Research Center (CBRC) • The Office of Wetland Conservation and Management (Ramsar Administrative Authority of China), National Forestry and Grassland Administration • Sponsors: • Ministry of Commerce, P.R. China • National Forestry and Grassland Administration • 24 participants from Argentina, India, Thailand, Ukraine and Uzbekistan

4. Wetland Policy Road Map 1992 China became a party of Ramsar Convention 2000 China National Wetlands Conservation Action Plan 2003 China National Wetlands Conservation Programme(2002-2030) 2005 Office of Wetland Conservation and Management, SFA 2007The China National Implementation Committee for Ramsar Convention 1995, 2009 two national wetland inventories 2016 Wetland Conservation and Restoration Programme 1992 2017

5. National wetland inventory in China China is the only country in the world that has ever conducted two national wetland inventories The first national wetland resources inventory in China was organized by SFA from 1995 to 2003, each with an area of at least 100 hectares 1995-2003 100 ha The survey found that China had a total wetland area of 38.4855million ha, representing 3.77% of the total land areas in China 38.4855million hectares 3,77%

6. Second national wetland resources inventory As wetland ecological conditions in China have experienced significant changes, SFA organized the second national wetland resources inventory from 2009 to 2013 2009-2013 With a total investment of nearly RMB 400 million, 22,000 people were involved in the inventory, and 260 million pieces of data were acquired, covering a wide range of information such as wetland types, area, distribution, threats and ecological conditions 400million 260 million 22000

7. China’s wetlands Wetlands in China represents 5.58% of the total country (53.6026 million ha)

8. Change of wetland conservation status Area of protected wetlands increased by more than 5.2594 million ha Wetland protection rate 30.29% Wetland protection rate 43.51%

9. Others Wetland Administrative System Wetland Parks Other Agencies Nature Reserves Local Governments

10. Wetland Parks & Wetland Nature Reserves

11. 602 Wetlands Nature Reserves 1000+ wetland parks ※57 Ramsar Sites

12. Wetland parks in China • State Council issued “Notice on Strengthening Wetland Conservation and Management” in June 2004, and clarified wetland park is an essential component of wetland conservation system. • Major functions: • Conservation and rehabilitation • Education and research • Appropriate utilization • 1st National Wetland Park, Xixi National Wetland Park in Hangzhou was approved by State Forestry Administration in Feb. 2005.

13. Xixi National Wetland Park, Hangzhou

14. Development trend of national wetland parks in China Accumulated numbers Number increase by years

15. Distribution of national wetland parks in China 中国国家湿地公园分布图

16. Visit centers

17. Education

18. Wetland Ambassador Action (WWF) • In 2001, WWF has launched its annual Wetland Ambassadors Action campaign, calling for university students across China to submit proposals for raising awareness amongst government officials, farmers and other stakeholders on the importance and benefits of conserving China's rivers and lakes. • Wetland ambassadors, represented by college students who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, are a powerful force to promote wetland protection and education • A Wetland Conservation Network has been established across the whole Yangtze River basin.

19. Thank you