The Analysis and Evaluation of Wetland Restoration Scenarios in the Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve, Hebei, China

Abstract

Hengshui Lake National Nature Reserve is one of the most ecologically valuable freshwater wetlands in the northern plains of China. It provides crucial staging and wintering habitats for a large variety of endangered waterbirds. However, this unique wetland has suffered from serious habitat fragmentation and ecological function degradation caused by increased socioeconomic activities within and surrounding the Nature Reserve. With the aim of enhancing the Reserves ecological function while balancing conservation priorities and indispensable socioeconomic activities, the ecological risks resulting from each three scenario were evaluated. To conduct this research, we developed a systematic framework for ecological risk assessment, in which indices of biodiversity, ecological vulnerability and ecological risk were introduced and employed. Then, an ecological risk assessment was conducted for the scenarios and the pros and cons of each scenario were evaluated based on the applicability of a particular risk in each situation. The results of modeling and assessments provided the basis for adopting wetland restoration scenarios allowing for the development of practical suggestions for wetland restoration and habitat modification.