Transforming the wetland conservation system in China

Wetland conservation has gradually improved worldwide. In situ conservation is effective in protecting valuable wetlands. Here, we review the expansion, reformation and problems associated with wetland conservation in China. The wetland conservation system in China comprises a wetland protected area network (nature reserves, wetland parks, urban wetland parks, aquatic germplasm reserves and special marine reserves) and a wetland grading system. Following rapid expansion, national wetland protected areas cover 4.78% of the country. At the same time, a wetland grading system that categorises the importance of wetlands has expanded to 13 provinces. However, reforming wetlands, including improving the role of wetlands, adjusting departmental responsibility, reforming conservation systems and implementing comprehensive wetland conservation regimes, is somewhat arduous and complicated at present. Although these changes have contributed to wetland conservation in China, the wetland conservation system still faces considerable problems because of a lack of uniform and efficient regulations. Management functions and spatial scope overlap in different systems, and there is a disconnect between resource management and law enforcement. A unified legal system and wetland identity cards should be established, with stronger law enforcement. Synergy between wetland conservation systems should improve, innovative wetland conservation mechanisms should be used and better coordination among different protection systems is needed.