| Known as "kidneys of the earth,""cradle of life,""bird paradise,""origin of civilization," and "species gene pools," wetlands are an important and unique multi-functional ecosystem created by the interaction of water and land. They are also one of the most bio-diverse and productive ecological landscapes in nature and an important survival environment for humans. However, over the last few centuries, wetlands have severely diminished in size. Particularly since the middle of the20th century, with rapid urbanization, rapid economic development, and dramatic increases in population, vast wetlands have been transformed into farmland or land for other purposes, a growing number of natural resources have been over-developed, and increasingly more sewage is being discharged without proper treatment. All of these elements have contributed to the gradual decline in wetland species, resulting in serious imbalances in ecosystems, worsening ecological landscapes, and rapidly degrading wetland functions. If not controlled, this situation will significantly constrain the coordinated growth and sustainable development of society, the economy, and the environment. As such, the urgency for scientific evaluation and countermeasures to improve the wetland environment is evident. By considering the strategic demands of ecological civilization and with the goal to realize sustainable economic and social development in China, the present study offers a systematic and in-depth analysis of issues related to lake wetlands environments in arid areas by studying the Wuliangsuhai Wetland. Further, scientific evaluation and countermeasures to improve the current situation of the studied area are also presented. The major research content and results are presented below:(1) Based on the investigation, systematic summaries, and analysis of related research conducted in China and elsewhere, the author discusses the origin and development of wetlands, basic concepts and determination of wetlands and wetland systems, wetland landscapes and environments, composition and classification of wetland systems, characteristics of wetland environments in arid areas, background, connotation and requirements of an ecological civilization, necessity and significance of constructing an ecological civilization, relationship between ecological civilization and wetland landscape environment, and other related theoretical problems. Through this, the author presents a new understanding and insights that enrich related theories. (2) Based on a systematic analysis and discussion of the necessity and feasibility of establishing a comprehensive evaluation system for lake wetlands environments in arid areas, the author concludes that establishing a viable scientific evaluation system for such environments is a necessary and practical basic precondition for the restoration and protection of wetland environments. Combined with research results from studies conducted worldwide, the author discusses wetland system evaluation types and standards, and concludes from the comprehensive evaluation of wetland environment systems that they comprise social, economic, and natural factors, which require multi-standard multi-perspective viewpoints and methods to overcome the disadvantages of a single-standard single-factor evaluation approach. The author further proposes a systematic and comprehensive multi-standard evaluation method for lake wetlands environments in arid areas. Based on this summary and analysis of related research results, the author puts forward eight principles for the establishment of an evaluation system for lake wetlands environments in arid areas and discusses problems concerning indicator screening. The author also discusses the principal factors affecting wetland environment systems, and establishes a comprehensive scientific evaluation indicator system for lake wetlands landscape quality in arid areas. According to the requirements for constructing China’s ecological civilization, by combining the situation in the Wuliangsuhai Wetland and leveraging a large quantity of related research results, national and local standards, policies, laws and regulations, and planning and design data, the author has drafted a comprehensive evaluation indicator grading standard for lake wetland environments in arid areas. Through systematic analysis and research, the author has also developed a more flexible and smarter comprehensive FNN evaluation method for lake wetlands environments in arid areas, and developed a corresponding evaluation model. Evaluation methods, indicator systems, indicator grading standards, and smart evaluation methods and models are basic preconditions for evaluation of lake wetlands environment quality in arid areas.(3) Based on the summary and analysis of nature, geography, society, economy, and other basic factors in the research area of the Wuliangsuhai Wetland and the lake basin, the author has classified natural and geographical features as well as social and economic developments. Research and analysis of the development, formation, and evolution of the Wuliangsuhai Wetland reveal related mechanisms, rules, and development trends. Through systematic analysis of the current situation of the Wuliangsuhai Wetland, the author has summarized and conducted diagnostic analysis of major existing problems. These findings show that owing to a lack of sound scientific management and protection measures, the Wuliangsuhai Wetland is currently suffering from the drying-up of water, water quality deterioration, ecological imbalances, environmental degradation, and other problems, all of which require urgent solutions. Through discussion and research, the author has determined that the major factors driving development and change of the Wuliangsuhai Wetland are natural and human activities. The former mainly include forces acting on geologic structures, course changes of the Yellow River, sandstorms, floods and deposits in lake regions caused by the Yellow River basin, influence of climatic changes on landscape, physical characteristics, ecosystems, and environmental conditions of lakes; the latter are one of the most important driving forces for the evolution of wetland landscapes in the current situation.(4)Using basic data from the established evaluation system and standards, comprehensive evaluation and single-factor analysis evaluation of the current the Wuliangsuhai wetland environment has been conducted with an FNN comprehensive evaluation model, and analysis of these results shows that the Wuliangsuhai wetland environment, currently at an average level, is likely to experience a downturn. On the whole, most of the measurement indicators from the Wuliangsuhai Wetland display relatively poor results except regulation and control of flooding from the Yellow River and its basin, protection of rare or endangered species in lake wetlands, inheritance and preservation of local folk customs, and cultural, educational, and scientific research, as well as the tourist value of the wetlands, and local population density. This demonstrates the feasibility of a grading system, standards, methods, and model. In other words’, the present problems in the Wuliangsuhai Wetland are caused by the limited source of ecologically required water, aggravated water pollution, shrinking lake area, serious degradation of ecological functions, long-term accumulation of pollutants, heavy pollution of inner sources, accelerated paludification, overall moderate level of ecological environmental management within the basin, and relatively backward pollution regulation hampering social and economic development. If not dealt with properly and in a timely manner, these problems will impact the existence and development of the Wuliangsuhai Wetland Reserve.(5) Based on a comprehensive analysis of the current situation concerning environmental degradation of the research area in the Wuliangsuhai Wetland, the author puts forward practical and easy-to-implement improvement measures and countermeasures, which can form the scientific basis for the restoration, protection, and management of lake wetlands in arid areas. In addition to the research results highlighted in this article, the research work may also serve as a reference for other related wetlands studies. |
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