Tianjin

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Tianjin
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The colored tacks show the locations of three
banded Siberian Cranes that researchers tracked
during the fall migrations of 1995 and 1996.
The Bohai Sea to the east of Tianjin is an
important region for migrating waterbirds in
eastern China. Thousands of waterbirds, including
Siberian (above right) and Red-crowned Cranes
stop to rest and feed in the regions wetlands
during their long migrations.
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The diverse habitats within Bohai Bay near
Tianjin include salt water coastal wetlands
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and fresh water inland wetlands.
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• Conservation Threats
• The filling and draining of wetlands for
  development (left) is a serious threat to
  remaining habitat for migratory birds along the
  Bohai Sea.This sea wall (below left) was built
  to protect developed areas from storm surges, but
  it also cuts off nearby wetlands from the sea and
  the tidal flows that help keep the wetlands
  healthy.

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• Conservation Threats
• Some wetlands have also been modified for
  agriculture and aquaculture, especially for rice
  and shrimp farming.
• The Bohai Sea is an important area for oil
  production in China, and leakages or spills from
  oil production is a possible threat to the
  wetlands. Fortunately, oil companies in the
  region take precautions to reduce this risk.

Oil drilling in Tianjin
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Conservation SolutionsResearch
Researchers are surveying migratory waterbird
populations in Bohai Bay. The surveys identify
the species found in the Bay and help researchers
identify important wetlands to protect in the
region.
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Conservation SolutionsProtected Areas
Nine nature reserves were established between
1984-2000 to protected over 155,000 hectares near
Tianjin. The reserves protect coastal wetlands,
forests and migratory birds and other wildlife
that depend on these ecosystems.
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Conservation SolutionsCommunity Education

• Local teachers developed a handbook (above) for
  middle and high school biology teachers in
  Tianjin. The handbook includes background
  information on wetland biology and conservation
  that teachers can use in their classes.
• Chinese educators also organized an
  environmental camp at Tianjin to teach students
  about wetland conservation.

• Two students from Wei Shan Lu Middle School in
  Tianjin are helping to educate other students
  about conservation by writing articles and
  encouraging them to stop using disposable
  products (such as disposable chopsticks).

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Review

• Name the sea to the east of Tianjin.
• List two main threats to the wetlands near
  Tianjin.
• List two solutions for these threats.
• Bonus question Increasing development in eastern
  China is a threat to the remaining wetlands along
  the east Asia flyway in this region.
  Interestingly, though, some of the important
  migration stop-over locations for migratory birds
  in the Bohai Bay are man-made reservoirs that the
  birds have learned are safe places to stop and
  rest. Do you think we should expect wildlife to
  adapt to our development (e.g., use reservoirs
  rather than natural wetlands) or should we
  consider the needs of wildlife when developing
  our cities? What are the benefits of protecting
  remaining natural areas?