Ma et al. (2014) - Great Seawall of China

Question 1

China’s position as the world’s second largest economy is largely due to its rapid economic growth in the coastal region, which composes…

Answer 1

only 13% of China’s total land area, yet con- tributes 60% of the gross domestic
product (GDP).

Question 2

To create extra land for the rapidly growing economy, coastal wetlands have been enclosed by…

Answer 2

thousands of kilometers of seawalls, whose length exceeds that of China’s famous ancient “Great Wall”

Question 3

Importance of China’s coastal wetlands

Answer 3

China’s coastal wetlands, with an area of 5.8 million ha, support abundant biodiversity and provide the foundation for regional development. For example, 230 waterbird species, over 25% of the global total, in- habit China’s coastal wetlands.

Millions of migrating birds refuel on the wetlands that connect countries in the south with those in the north.

The wetlands produced 28 million tons of fishery products in 2011, nearly 20% of the global total, as well as providing spawning and nursery grounds for many aquatic organisms that maintain marine ecosystem health and serve as the base for offshore fisheries.

Coastal wetlands help to absorb pollutants that are increasingly discharged from land and are ecological barriers against extreme weather events, such as typhoons, protecting people living along the coast.

Coastal wetlands also provide enormous direct and indirect eco- system services, including nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and tourism and recreation.

Question 4

Although the area of coastal wetlands accounts for <1% of all ecosystem area in China, the values of ecosystem services they provide amount to…

Answer 4

U.S. $200 billion annually for the country, accounting for a 16% share of the country’s total.