Luannan coastal wetlands in Hebei Province, in the north of Bohai Bay, are a high priority for conservation. They consist of natural intertidal mudflats, aquaculture ponds, and salt pans. Its unique geographic location and wetland resources make it one of the most important stopover sites for 350,000 migratory waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
This wetland faces many threats due to the lack of legal protection, pollution, over-fishing, bird bycatch by fishing nets, poaching, invasion of the Spartina alterniflora grass, and restricted space available on the mudflats for feeding birds.
In view of the importance and urgency in protecting Luannan coastal Wetland, the Forestry Department of Hebei Province, the People’s Government of Luannan County, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Paulson Institute signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding on 15th June 2017 to establish and manage a nature reserve or wetland park on Luannan coastal wetlands With the support from Heren Charitable Foundation, the Paulson Institute and its partners initiated the planning and application of the proposed provincial-level nature reserve or wetland park. The objective is to enhance the conservation of Luannan coastal wetlands through the establishment and management of a provincial-level nature reserve or wetland park and to promote a harmonious relationship between local people and nature.
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Key activities to date
Developing an overall plan for a nature reserve or wetland park
A comprehensive scientific survey of the natural resources of the Luannan coastal wetland has been completed. Based on the scientific survey and a series of consultations and meetings with key stakeholders of Luannan County, the Paulson Institute and its partners developed an overall plan for the proposed provincial-level nature reserve or wetland park with appropriate zoning and management measures.
All documents needed for setting up a provincial-level nature reserve or wetland park have been prepared and submitted to the Luannan county government for review and further consideration.
Piloting Spartina control
The Paulson Institute and its partners have tested a variety of approaches to eradicate the invasive Spartina in selected areas of the Luannan coastal wetland. If successful, these measures may be used elsewhere along the coast.
Providing wetland management training
A one-week-long training course was organized and held at Mai Po Wetland Nature Reserve in Hong Kong for key officials from the Provincial Forestry Department, and Luannan County Forestry Bureau in November 2018.
The Paulson Institute continues to work with its partners to advance the establishment of a nature reserve or wetland park and to support follow-up conservation and management, habitat restoration, capacity building, and environmental education efforts.
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