Looking out to sea, a wall of shorebirds rises from the shallow, muddy surface. Together, the birds move gracefully like a flock. There are few places in East Asia where you can see so many migratory shorebirds accumulated in one place. These are the Yellow Sea and Gulf of Bohai Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in China.
Dr. Ding Li Yong, regional coordinator of flyways in Asia, recounts a recent visit to the same sites: “I was able to stop at the Dandong Yalu River estuary a few years ago and was impressed by the huge congregations of migratory shorebirds that They crowded around him. the marshes. I don’t forget to easily see some 50,000 giant knots! »
On July 26, 2024, five of those ordinary migratory bird reserves were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This prestigious popularity highlights the critical importance of these wetland habitats for migratory birds of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
Every spring and autumn, millions of birds migrate along the EAAF from northern Russia, across the Asian continent, to Australia and New Zealand. Birds such as the endangered Eurasian spoonbill and crane and the endangered Far Eastern curlew are safe in these Yellow Sea wetlands. to rest and recharge for your long trips.
Along the migratory route, vast wetlands such as intertidal plains and marshes are disappearing. Progression and sea level rise are compressing wetlands at both ends. This makes it difficult for the birds to find food and rest throughout their journey. Designated sites along the Yellow Sea will help ensure that species can reach their destinations safely.
BirdLife International warmly welcomes the designation of these sites for migratory waterfowl. In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the East Asian and Australasian Flyways Association, BirdLife has been working to raise the conservation monitoring profile of these sites as key Regional Flyways Initiative sites. (RFI). This initiative aims to protect ecologically connected wetlands across the continent, which are vital for birds and humans, through funding and cutting-edge conservation techniques.
In addition to feeding millions of migratory birds, the diverse wetlands around the Yellow Sea are incredibly valuable to humans. Research on the Yellow Sea scenario in 2023, compiled with BirdLife International, highlights this price tag: “The intertidal wetlands of the Yellow Sea have immense value to human communities, providing billions of dollars annually in ecosystem services, including blue carbon sequestration and stabilization. One of the most densely populated coastal areas in the world facing the effects of storms and rising sea levels. “
These five newly inscribed Migratory Bird Sanctuaries constitute the expansion of Phase II of the existing World Heritage Sites of the Yellow Sea and Gulf of Bohai (Phase I), which were inscribed in 2019. This ongoing effort demonstrates the Chinese government’s commitment to wetlands vital to migratory birds. and the communities that live around them.
BirdLife recognises this timely contribution to China’s long-term plans for its wetland ecosystems,
“The designation of five new World Heritage sites is excellent news for migratory birds, as it will improve their visibility and protection. What’s more, these sites will contribute to the fight against climate change, as they will sequester more carbon, while also offers essential facilities for people. Congratulations to China and all who have worked so hard to achieve those designations, reinforcing the importance of the Yellow Sea to the entire East Asia-Australasia migration route – Martin Harper, CEO, BirdLife International.
“The coastal wetlands of the Yellow Sea are at the centre of the East Asia-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). That’s why it’s good news that China continues to take steps to protect coastal wetlands that are of utmost importance to birds and humans. While there is still much work to be done to protect the future of migratory shorebirds in the EAAF, this is a first step forward that will undoubtedly motivate others to move forward. After all, migratory birds that use the Yellow Sea constitute a shared community. herbal heritage and, with it, comes a shared duty to protect them and the places they need” – Terry Townshend, member of the Paulson Institute and member of the BirdLife International Global Advisory Group.