Wetland loss in Yellow River Delta threatens biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The study looked at changes in wetland landscapes in the Yellow River Delta from 1986 to 2006 using satellite images and mapping technology. They found that man-made wetlands increased while natural wetlands decreased. The wetland landscape became more fragmented and diverse over time. Some wetland areas changed into farmland or salt pans. Both natural factors like reduced water flow and human activities like farming and oil drilling influenced these changes.