{"id":14377,"date":"2024-08-01T06:30:29","date_gmt":"2024-08-01T06:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=14377"},"modified":"2025-04-23T08:58:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T08:58:44","slug":"how-shenzhen-restored-its-mangroves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/how-shenzhen-restored-its-mangroves\/","title":{"rendered":"How Shenzhen restored its mangrove trees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feng Yingxin and Soraya Kishtwari, writing for Dialogue Earth, explore this example of how urban areas can successfully integrate significant ecological habitats, reversing ecological decline in vulnerable delta regions<\/h2>\n

Each spring, as Shenzhen\u2019s mangroves burst into life, the region becomes a prime spot for birdwatchers observing the endangered black-faced spoonbill. Known as the giant panda of birds, this species winters in Shenzhen Bay from October to April, in preparation for its northbound migration.<\/p>\n

Shenzhen Bay, located in southern China and part of the Pearl River Delta expanding into Hong Kong, is a crucial stop-off point for migratory birds using the East Asian-Australasian flyway. The mangroves support over 200 species of birds and host 100,000 migratory birds each winter, drawing enthusiasts and scientists alike to witness these natural spectacles against the backdrop of one of China\u2019s most bustling urban settings.<\/p>\n

Amid the rapid urbanisation that defines modern China, Shenzhen stands out not just for its \u201cfuturistic\u201d skyline, but also for its efforts to reassert its ecological priorities. After significant mangrove losses due to aggressive development, Shenzhen\u2019s mangrove recovery has been\u00a0 \u201cunprecedented\u201d. This resurgence earned one of its wetlands a designation of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2022.<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s approach to conservation, involving robust policy enforcement and community engagement, illustrates how urban areas can successfully integrate significant ecological habitats, reversing ecological decline in vulnerable delta regions.<\/p>\n

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Historical ecological decline<\/h4>\n

Shenzhen\u2019s transformation from a quaint fishing village in 1979 into a bustling international metropolis epitomises China\u2019s rapid urbanisation. As the country\u2019s first special economic zone, it spearheaded economic reforms, but at a significant environmental cost. Extensive land reclamation for commercial and residential development drastically reduced mangrove habitats to a low of 50 hectares in 1991.<\/p>\n

The introduction of non-native, quick-growing tree species like Sonneratia apetala, intended as a quick-fix for mangrove restoration and coastal stabilisation, resulted in excessive growth and disrupted native biodiversity. This proliferation created destabilising monocultures, obstructed flood discharge channels and increased waterlogging, complicating flood management efforts.<\/p>\n

Restoration efforts and policies<\/h4>\n

Shenzhen\u2019s 260-km-long coastline, fortified by mangroves, serves as the first line of defence against climate-related disasters. However, environmental stressors such as floods and waterlogging have undermined the coastlines\u2019 structural integrity, diminishing the mangroves\u2019 protective role.<\/p>\n

Recognising this vulnerability, the city authorities reversed course in the 2020s, embracing a strategic approach that included selective tree reduction. Haichao Zhou, an associate researcher at Shenzhen University, serves on the conservation panel that recommended a nature-based restoration plan. This strategy, focused on systematically removing fast-growing invasive species, was recently adopted by the local government.<\/p>\n

According to the city\u2019s 2023 environmental report, Shenzhen created 12.72 hectares and restored 13.08 hectares of mangroves in 2022 by selectively cutting fast-growing Sonneratia apetala. Although this resulted in a brief fall in overall mangrove cover, it facilitated the regrowth of native species, enabling them to recolonise the wetlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough careful management practices such as those adopted in Shenzhen, including judicious thinning, selective logging and maintaining suitable hydrological conditions, native species can naturally recover, enhancing mangrove diversity,\u201d Zhou told Dialogue Earth.<\/p>\n