China's Wetlands in Crisis: Urgent Action Needed to Reverse Losses
Wetlands in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region are shrinking, with losses mainly due to agriculture and land development. From 2000 to 2015, rivers, canals, and herbaceous swamps decreased, while lakes and reservoirs increased. The top drivers of wetland loss were farm production, aquatic products, and irrigated area. To help restore wetlands by 2020, recommendations include controlling agricultural expansion, managing water resources, and raising awareness about wetland importance.