Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Wetland protection in Beijing, China; the importance of legislation

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Wetlands Ecology and Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Unsustainable use and inappropriate management of wetlands has a wide range of consequences for humans and the environment. These include the loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems with detrimental effects on species survival, water-storage capacity, and enhance the risk of decreased ecological functions. As the human population continues to grow, these problems are likely to increase in severity. To date, there are no law specifically designed to protect Beijing wetlands; existing regulations only relate to one or a few of the elements of wetlands. However, there has been great effort toward the establishment of legislation and a legal document is expected to be released in the near future. In this paper, we focus on the main obstacles in Beijing wetland protection and management. Defects and deficiencies of existing regulations as well as methods for the protection and management of specific wetland elements are discussed. Some suggestions about the Beijing wetland protection legislation are provided. Each component of relevant wetland research is reviewed and related to wetland management and policy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ARMCANZ and ANZECC (1997) Australian guidelines for sewerage systems effluent management. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Barras JA, Bourgeois PE, Handley LR (1994) Land loss in coastal Louisiana 1956–1990. National wetlands research center. Open file report 94–01 p 4

  • Bartlett RV (1986) Ecological rationality: reason and environmental policy. Environ Ethics 8:221–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett RV (1989) Policy through impact assessment: Institutionalized analysis as a policy strategy. Greenwood, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedford B, Preston E (1988) Developing the scientific basis for assessing cumulative effects of wetland loss and degradation on landscape functions: status, perspectives and prospects. Environ Manage 12:751–771

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beijing Water Authority (2011) Beijing water resources bulletin 2011 (in Chinese)

  • Brinson MM, Rheinhardt R (1996) The role of reference wetlands in functional assessment and mitigation. Ecol Appl 6:69–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown PH, Lant CL (1999) The effect of wetland mitigation banking on the achievement of no-net-loss. Environ Manage 23:333–345

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caldwell LK (1991) Analysis-assessment-decision: the anatomy of rational policy making. Impact Assess Bull 9:81–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao LM (2002) Beijing urban wetland ecological functions and social benefits. Beijing Landsc Archit 18:17–20 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao LM, Yu KJ (2005) Measures for rational development and sustainable utilization of city wetland. Planners 19:75–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee A, Phillips B, Stroud D (2008) Wetland management planning. A guide for site managers. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/wetlands_management_guide_2008.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman JM (1969) Brahmaputra River: channel processes and sedimentation, sedimen. Geology 3:129–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman JM, Huh OK, DeWitt B Jr (2008) Wetland loss in world deltas. J Coastal Res 24(1a):1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman JM, Huh OKand, Jr DeWitt B (2003) Major World Deltas: a perspective from space. http://cires.colorado.edu/science/groups/wessman/projects/wdn/papers/colemanManuscript.pdf

  • Colombo AG (1991) Environmental impact assessment: Proceedings of the eurocourse. The joint research centre conference, Ispra, 30 Sept–4Oct 1991

  • Committee on Mitigating Wetland Losses et al (2001) “Front matter.” Compensating for wetland losses under the clean water act. The National Academies, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Cui LJ, Bao DM, Xiao H, Lei K (2005) Calculation methods of wetland ecological water and case study. J Soil Water Conserv 19:147–151 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Du PZ (2009) Analysis and thoughts on wetland resources in Beijing. For Resour Manag 2009:51–55 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Du PZ (2010) The changes of Beijing’s wetlands. J Beijing Univ Agric 25:37–40 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Finlay-Jones J (1997) Aspects of wetland law and policy in Australia. Wetlands Ecol Manag 5:37–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Froend R, Loomes R, Horwitz P, Bertuch M, Storey A, Bamford M (2004) Study of ecological water requirements on the Gnangara and Jandakot mounds under Section 46 of the environmental protection act. Task 2: determination of ecological water requirements. Wetlands and agriculture: private interests and public benefits. Centre for Ecosystem Management, ECU, Joondalup, 1998

  • Gao SW (2008) Wetland management and countermeasures in Beijing. Wetl Sci Manag 2008(4):43–45 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao D, Zhang J, Hong JM, Wang FY, Chen W (2009) A study on the conservation of Autumn and Winter birds in Yeyahu Wetland nature reserve of Beijing. J Cap Norm Univ 30:34–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Geofrey EP (1996) Water allocation to protect river ecosystem. Regul Rivers Res Manag 12:353–365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilpin A (1994) Environmental impact assessment: cutting edge for the 21st century. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gleick PH (1996) Basic water requirements for human activities: meeting basic needs. Water Int 21(1):83–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleick PH (1998) The World’s Water 2000–2001: the biennial report on freshwater resources. Island Press, Washington D.C

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu L (2005) China improves enforcement of environmental laws. Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland All Rights Reserved. http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/zt/Features/t214565.htm. Accessed 29 Sept 2005

  • Gu L, Wang XJ, Gong ZW, Zhang HM, Liu HW (2010) Changes of landscape patterns in Beijing wetlands over the past three decades based on RS and GIS technologies. J Beijing For Univ 32:65–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan X, Gao W, Chen W, Zhan YJ, Zhao M (2007) Bird resource and conservation of Yeyahu wetland nature reserve of Beijing. J Cap Norm Univ 28:44–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao H, Pan YZ, Shen KJ, Zhu WQ, Li YZ, Zhang JS (2012) Evaluation on the wetland ecosystem service in Beijing city. Res Sci 34:844–854 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heimlich RE, Wiebe KD, Claassen R, Gadsby D, Robert M (1998) US Agricultural economic report no. 765

  • Hinrichsen D (2003) A human thirst—worldwatch institute. World Watch Mag 16:11–18. http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/745. Accessed 5 February 2007(in Chinese)

  • Jamieson CL (1986) An analysis of municipal wetlands laws and their relationship to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar). 4 Pace Envtl. Pace Envtl Law Rev 4:177–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Jia P, Gong HL, Zhao WJ, Li XJ (2003) Progress in wetland research in China. J Cap Norm Univ 24:84–95

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang N, Feng SY (2010) An Analysis of Problems and Countermeasures for the Surface Water Environment Pollution of the North Canal Watershed in Beijing. China Rural Water and Hydropower 6:9–11 (in Chinese)

  • Kolb CR, Van Lopik Jr (1966) Depositional environments of the Mississippi River deltaic plain, southeastern Louisiana, in Deltas. Texas Geological Society, Houston, pp 17–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu JL, Yang ZF (2002) A study on the calculation methods of the minimum eco-environmental water demand for lakes. J Nat Resour 17:604–609

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson RW (1986) Wetlands policy crisis: United States and United Kingdom. Agric Ecosyst Environ 18:95–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NRC (2001) Compensating for wetland loss under the clean water act. National Academy, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips VD (1998) Peat swamp ecology and sustainable development in Borneo. Biodivers Conserv 7:651–671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qu YY, Gao W (2010) Migratory waterbirds in Yeyahu wetland nature reserve of Beijing. Wetl Sci 2010(2):144–150 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Quan CM, Wu QL, Quan ZS (2010) Study on establishment of ecological compensation mechanism in Beijing city. Jiangsu Agric Sci 2:349–350 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson MM (2000) No net loss: wetland restoration and the incomplete capitalization of nature. Antipode 32:463–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shabman L, Stephenson K, Scodari P (1998) Wetland credit sales as a strategy for achieving no-net-loss: the limitations of regulatory conditions. Wetlands 18:471–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheail J (1984) Constraints on water-resource development in England and Wales: the concept and management of compensation flows. J Environ Manag 19:351–361

    Google Scholar 

  • Song ZX, Chen SM (1999), Beijing Rivers and Lakes Function Evolution and Development. Beijing City Planning and Construction Review 1:39–41 (in Chinese)

  • Wang R (2009) Wetland research series: the protections of wetlands—wetlands occupy balance. http://clsdr.cupl.edu.cn/subview.asp?classid=4&cataid=66&articleid=1104. Accessed 2 Mar 2009 (in Chinese)

  • Wang, Alex (2007) “Environmental protection in China: the role of law”. ChinadialogueWeb

  • Wang C, Liu QR (2004) Study on the flora of vascular plants of wetland in Beijing. J Wuhan Bot Res 22:406–411 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang XY, Wang C (2007) Carrying capacities of the summer palace in Beijing. J Hebei Norm Univ 31(3):403–408 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wathern P, Beanlands G, Bisset R, Jongh PD (1988) Environmental impact assessment: theory and practice. Selwood Printing Ltd., Great Britain

    Google Scholar 

  • Wen YL, Li XY, Xie Y (2008) Study on Beijing urban wetland status and countermeasures for its conservation and management: a theoretic exploration on urban wetland. China For Publ House, Beijing (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • White House Office of the Press Secretary (1991) Fact sheet: protecting America’s wetlands. Office of the Press Secretary, Washington DC, pp 5–11

    Google Scholar 

  • White House Office on Environmental Policy (1993) Protecting America’s wetlands: a fair, flexible, and effective approach. Office on Environmental Policy, Washington DC, p 26

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan L, Zhao WJ (2004) A study on the marsh environment of the Yongding river. Beijing City Jilin Geol 2:32–38 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zedler JB, Kercher S (2005) Wetland resources: status, trends, ecosystem services, and restorability. Annu Rev Environ Resour 30:39–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XQ (1997) Urban land reform in China. Land Use Policy 14:187–199 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang K (2011) Ecological “price”: ecological compensation mechanism included in the “second Five-Year” plan. Sina Finance Web http://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/20110323/01209576084.shtml. Accessed 23 March 2011 (in Chinese)

  • Zhang ZF, Zhao WJ, Jia P, Xie ZR (2004) Wetland research and monitoring in Beijing. Geo Infor Sci 6:53–57 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Xia YF et al (2009) Study on legal system of wetland protection and utilization in China. China For Publ House, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng HX, Zhang LB (2006) Chinese Practices of Ecological Compensation and Payments for Ecological and Environmental Services and its Policies in River Basins. Submitted to the World Bank http://www-wds.worldbank.org. Accessed Aug 2006

  • Zhu JG, Jiang WL, Li YZ (2000) The critical way to sustainable utilization of the wetland resources in China. Territ Nat Resour study 4:50–52 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank and acknowledge the contribution of Colin Maxwell Finlayson and Liu Jin for useful suggestions on improving the manuscript. The research supporting this article was funded by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Project (D08040600580800).

Funding

The research supporting this article was funded by the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Project (D08040600580800).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Wetland, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, People’s Republic of China

    Qiongfang Ma, Lijuan Cui, Hongtao Song, Manyin Zhang & Shengnan Li

  2. Research Institute of Forestry New Technology, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, People’s Republic of China

    Qiongfang Ma, Lijuan Cui, Hongtao Song, Manyin Zhang & Shengnan Li

  3. Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscape and Forestry, Beijing, 100013, People’s Republic of China

    Sanxiang Huang

Authors
  1. Qiongfang Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lijuan Cui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hongtao Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Manyin Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shengnan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sanxiang Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lijuan Cui.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ma, Q., Cui, L., Song, H. et al. Wetland protection in Beijing, China; the importance of legislation. Wetlands Ecol Manage 23, 1005–1013 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-013-9284-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-013-9284-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation