Panjin is the world’s largest coastal reed wetland which is included in the List of International Important Wetland in 2004, enjoys the reputation of “one of six China’s most beautiful major wetlands”, “national ecological demonstration zone” and “the hometown of larus saundersi”, and “the kingdom of wetland”.

It is located in the estuary of Shuantaizi River and Daling River, is an important component of wetland of Liaodong Bay, and is the natural wetland which is based mainly on reed marshes and intertidal mudflats.

This area is also the development base of important energy (oil and gas), and is rich in oil, gas and well salt resources. It is the major oil field distribution area of China’s third largest oil field-Liaohe oilfield.

Ecological Economic Zone of Liaohe River estuarine has more than 65% of resources of nature reserve in Shuangtai River estuarine, and is the wildlife nature reserve which takes the red-crowned crane, Larus saundersi and other rare waterfowl and wetland ecologic systems as the main protection objects.

With the rapid development of industry and oil field development and construction, particularly the dramatic increase in population, the coastal wetland resources accounting for 78% of the land area in Panjin suffered various degrees of damage. It causes the degradation of reed wetland quality due to insufficient freshwater, the red beach degradation due to water and salt unbalance, and the degradation of wetland in the past twenty years in Panjin wetland. The wetland area is reduced due to the impact of agricultural development. The ecological destruction is a kind of serious threat to biological diversity. And coupled with mismanagement and other factors, the sustainable development of economy and environment of Panjin wetland is facing a serious threat.

The project is divided into several themes:

• To restore the abandoned oil wells zone of reeds, of 2,400 mu,
• To create a protected natural breeding area for Saunders’s Gull,
• To create an experimental protected natural area for Herons and Red-crowned Crane associated with an alternative agro-ecological management of reeds,
• Constructing a wetland pedagogical center, option “yurt” design of 4517m²,
• Realizing communication elements: pedagogical cabin and board, logo and visuals, events,
• Constructing touristic facilities: pathways, 4 observation posts and two pedagogical places.

 

These principals objectives of this project are:

• Preserve the three main habitats (Reed beds, salt marshes, mud flat) by reducing pressure from human activities (oil exploitation, intensive reed cultivation, aquaculture)
• Reduce threats, salinization, intense tourist frequentation , increase freshwater and the diversity of vegetation.