Ecological Restoration of Qilihai Wetland: A Model for Sustainable Development

Introduction

The Qilihai Wetland, located in Tianjin’s Ninghe district, serves as a vital “green lung” for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Recognized as one of the world’s three ancient coastal wetlands, it has undergone a significant ecological restoration over the past eight years. This report highlights the restoration efforts, biodiversity improvements, and the alignment of these initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background and Challenges

• Prior to 2017, Qilihai Wetland was heavily fragmented due to over 400 small factories and more than 2,300 fish ponds.
• Industrial pollution severely degraded the ecosystem, reducing biodiversity and limiting bird populations.
• Ecological degradation posed threats to local flora and fauna, including rare species such as the milu deer.

Restoration Initiatives and Investments

In response to ecological challenges, Ninghe district implemented comprehensive restoration projects aligned with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action):

1. Initiation of 10 major ecological restoration projects.
2. Investment of nearly 20 billion yuan (approximately $2.8 billion USD) to rehabilitate the wetland.
3. Conversion of 1,500 hectares of land back to natural wetland habitat.

Environmental and Biodiversity Outcomes

• Air quality improvements: Negative oxygen ion concentration increased tenfold compared to urban areas, and PM2.5 levels decreased by 40%, supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Biodiversity enhancement: Bird species increased from 182 to 258, including over 200 Oriental storks, establishing Qilihai as one of the nine major global bird migration sites.
• Designation of Tianjin as a UNESCO Biodiversity Charm City, reflecting progress towards SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Reintroduction and population growth of milu deer (Pere David’s deer), classified as extinct in the wild, demonstrating success in species conservation under SDG 15.

Technological Integration in Conservation

The Qilihai Wetland Nature Reserve Management Committee employs advanced technologies to enhance conservation efforts, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):

• Use of drones for rapid full-area patrols, reducing monitoring time from three days to 20 minutes.
• Artificial intelligence systems for automatic identification of illegal activities and fire hazards.
• Deployment of 147 infrared cameras to monitor flora and fauna in real-time.
• Resulting in a 70% reduction in illegal fishing and fire alarm incidents.

Socioeconomic and Ecological Benefits

The restoration has generated multiple benefits aligned with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):

• Improved agricultural products such as sweet potatoes with enhanced quality attributed to ecological conditions.
• Development of ecotourism centered around local species like crabs, boosting local economy.
• Bird populations in Ninghe exceeded 500,000, surpassing the human population and serving as an ecological benchmark.

Conclusion

The successful ecological restoration of Qilihai Wetland exemplifies China’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable economic development. This initiative demonstrates the potential for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature through strategic investment, technological innovation, and community engagement.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – The article discusses ecological restoration and reduction of pollution, contributing to climate resilience.
2. SDG 14: Life Below Water – Restoration of wetlands and aquatic habitats supports marine and freshwater biodiversity.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land – The focus on biodiversity, habitat restoration, and protection of species like milu deer aligns with this goal.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The improvement of air quality and urban ecological environment relates to sustainable urban development.
5. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Use of drones and AI for monitoring reflects innovation in ecological governance.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 13 – Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
2. SDG 14 – Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
3. SDG 15 – Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.
4. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality improvement.
5. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress

1. Air Quality Indicators
   • PM2.5 concentration reduction by 40% compared to pre-restoration levels.
   • Negative oxygen ion concentration being 10 times higher than urban areas.
2. Biodiversity Indicators
   • Increase in the number of bird species from 182 to 258.
   • Population count of Oriental storks (over 200) and milu deer (nearing 100).
   • Number of birds living in Ninghe reaching 500,000.
3. Ecological Restoration Indicators
   • Conversion of 1,500 hectares of land back to wetland.
   • Decrease in illegal fishing and fire alarms by 70% due to monitoring technologies.
4. Technological Monitoring Indicators
   • Use of drones completing full-area patrols in 20 minutes versus manual patrols taking three days.
   • AI recognition systems identifying illegal entry and fire hazards.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chinadaily.com.cn