Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Project in China Selected as UN Demonstrative Project

The Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Phase III Project in Anhui Province's Chaohu Lake Basin, China, has been selected as a demonstrative project of the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The project, part of the Shan-Shui Initiative, aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the loss and degradation of ecosystems in the Chaohu Lake area.

Chaohu Lake is one of five major freshwater lakes in China, and the Eighteen Polder, located in Feidong County in Hefei City, is an essential wetland near the lake. The area's population has surged since the 1960s due to continuous lake reclamation and population aggregation, leading to the fragility of the local wetland ecosystem.

In 2017, Hefei made an overall plan for the implementation of the Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Project, which it carried out in stages. The third-phase project, completed in July 2022, transformed artificial wetlands into multi-functional wetland ecosystems that have water quality purification, biodiversity protection, flood storage, and green production systems.

The project restored a total area of 410 hectares to an ideal habitat for birds and 263 hectares of forest and grass vegetation, significantly increasing the biodiversity of the wetland. The restoration efforts led to 15 new species of aquatic plants, and the number of local bird species increased from 63 to 117.

Why this matters: The selection of the Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Project as a UN demonstrative project highlights the global significance of ecosystem restoration efforts. It showcases the potential for transforming degraded wetlands into thriving habitats that support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services.

The Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Phase III Project, led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), exemplifies the successful implementation of ecosystem restoration on a large scale. The project's achievements in restoring wetland habitats, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing ecosystem functions serve as a model for similar initiatives worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Eighteen Polder Wetland Restoration Project in Anhui, China selected as UN demonstrative project.
• Project aims to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem loss and degradation in Chaohu Lake area.
• Phase III restored 410 hectares of wetland and 263 hectares of forest/grass, increasing biodiversity.
• Project led by UNEP and FAO, showcasing successful large-scale ecosystem restoration.
• Highlights global significance of ecosystem restoration efforts and potential to transform degraded wetlands.