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During the main event of World Oceans Day and National Ocean Publicity Day held on the 8th, it was announced that China has delineated 150,000 square kilometers of marine ecological protection zones. This information comes from the “2023 China Marine Ecological Early Warning and Monitoring Bulletin” (hereinafter referred to as the “Bulletin”) issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The bulletin reveals that China has also improved its marine nature reserve system, protecting 93,300 square kilometers of marine areas, continuing to advance ecological protection and restoration, and comprehensive environmental remediation. To date, nearly 1,680 kilometers of coastline and more than 750,000 mu (approximately 50,000 hectares) of coastal wetlands have been restored. China is also continuously promoting international cooperation and exchange in marine ecological protection, offering Chinese solutions for global ocean governance.<\/p>\n
Located on the eastern edge of the Asian continent and the western side of the Pacific Ocean, China\u2019s jurisdictional waters span temperate, subtropical, and tropical climate zones. With a long and winding coastline, diverse seabed topography, and rich biodiversity, these waters host typical ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, coastal salt marshes, mangroves, estuaries, bays, and islands. These areas are crucial habitats for rare and endangered species like the spotted seal in the Western Pacific, the Chinese white dolphin, and Bryde’s whale, and serve as key points on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds, playing an important role in maintaining global marine ecological balance.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Natural Resources has established an efficient marine ecological early warning and monitoring system with clearly defined roles for central and local authorities, forming an integrated observation and monitoring system that encompasses land, sea, air, and space. Monitoring results show that in recent years, China’s marine ecological conditions have remained generally stable, with improvements in certain areas and initial containment of degradation trends in typical ecosystems.<\/p>\n
Experts explain that specific findings include no significant changes in the salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chemical oxygen demand of nearshore waters. Levels of inorganic nitrogen and active phosphate have decreased, and the species count and diversity indices of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and large benthic animals have remained generally stable. However, due to global warming, surface water temperatures in China’s offshore areas in the summer of 2023 were 0.8\u00b0C higher than average, marking the highest levels recorded.<\/p>\n
The conditions of coral reefs, seagrass beds, coastal salt marshes, and mangrove ecosystems are mostly excellent. Coral reefs are widely distributed south of Dongshan, Fujian, with the most extensive distribution around Hainan Island. Species of reef-building corals account for 40% of the world’s known total, with nearly 600 species of coral reef fish. In 2023, live coral coverage in monitored areas increased compared to 2020, with overall stable community structures. However, coral bleaching has occurred in some regions due to rising seawater temperatures.<\/p>\n
The area of seagrass beds in nearshore waters is approximately 107 square kilometers, with major contiguous areas in Xingcheng, Liaoning; Caofeidian, Hebei; Zhanjiang, Guangdong; and Wenchang and Qionghai in Hainan. In 2023, seagrass coverage in monitored areas increased compared to 2020, with the water and sediment environments generally suitable for seagrass growth.<\/p>\n
China is one of the few countries globally with a net increase in mangrove areas, totaling 292.09 square kilometers, primarily distributed across Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, and Zhejiang. A total of 27 dominant tree species have been recorded, with the richest diversity in Hainan. In 2023, the ecological conditions of mangroves in monitored areas were excellent.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the ecological conditions of the Yellow River, Yangtze River, and Pearl River estuaries are generally stable, with increased biodiversity and good sediment environments. The eutrophication area in the Yellow River estuary decreased compared to the previous year, the Yangtze River estuary observed multiple sightings of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise, and the population of Chinese white dolphins in the Pearl River estuary showed stable and positive trends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
During the main event of World Oceans Day and National Ocean Publicity Day held…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5118],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n