Research On Several Key Issues Of Coastal Wetlands Ecological Red Line System In Fujian, China

Wetland ecosystems are one of the three main global ecosystems which provide abundant resources for social and economic development. As the main type of wetlands, coastal wetlands have the highest biodiversity and the highest productivity. Fujian Province, a southeastern coastal province in China, has wide distribution of coastal wetland. However, as consequences of rapid economic development in Fujian Province, the coastal wetland ecosystems whose ecological sensitivity is extremely high are being damaged significantly and conserved limitedly. Therefore, a managing system for coastal wetlands with more scientific, systematic and rigorous methods is needed in that the existing ecological and environmental protection methods and management regimes could not assure sustainability of coastal wetlands.Concept of "ecological redline" was put forward clearly in2011. In details, the State Council required local governments and administrations delineating ecological red line in key ecologically functional zones, ecologically sensitive areas and ecologically vulnerable areas of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and taking the most stringent protective measures in the areas delineated into "ecological redline areas". As a significant system innovation, the ecological red line system infuses new life to the existing management system for coastal wetlands management protection in Fujian province.Based on related research of Coastal wetland, with reference to substance and practice of "ecological red line" system, this paper illuminate the concept of coastal wetland ecological red line system which includes the delineation of coastal wetlands ecological red line areas and the management in these areas. In further, this paper identifies and explores a number of emerging issues on the implementation process of coastal wetlands ecological red line system based on analysis of the present situation of coastal wetlands in Fujian. The main outcomes and results of this article are as follows: (1) This paper explicates the definition of the coastal wetland ecological red line system which enriches the connotation and extension of it. Meanwhile, the analysis on theoretical basis of coastal wetland ecological system provides foundation for the implementation.(2)Through a comparative study of the coastal wetland ecological red line system and such existing ecological protection methods as ecological function zoning, the main function zoning and nature reserve, this paper elucidates their relationship and difference, and summarizes the advantages of "ecological red line" system. This paper explicates the necessity and feasibility of the establishment and implementation of the Fujian coastal wetland ecological red line system based on the present situation of coastal wetlands in Fujian province.(3) This paper studies in several key issues in the implementation of Fujian coastal wetland ecological red line system including the principles of the establishment of the coastal wetland ecological system and delineation of the protective areas. In addition, considering the actual situation of Fujian Province, recommendations for mechanisms to secure the implementation of coastal wetlands ecological red line system are proposed.