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 migratory bird sanctuaries of the Yellow Sea and the Gulf of Bohai, China, recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dr. Ding Li Yong, regional coordinator for flyways in Asia, recounts a recent visit to the same sites: “I was able to stop at the estuary of the Dandong Yalu River a few years ago and was impressed by the huge congregations of migratory shorebirds that swarmed around it. I don’t forget to see about 50,000 giant knots, easily!»
On July 26, 2024, five of those ordinary migratory bird reserves were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This prestigious popularity highlights the critical importance of such wetland habitats for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian (EAAF) Flyway.
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 Spoonbill Wagtail and Siberian Crane and the Far Eastern Curlew, in danger of extinction, frequent these Yellow Sea wetlands to rest and refuel for their long journeys.
Along the migratory route, giant wetlands such as intertidal plains and marshes are disappearing. Development 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. These UNESCO-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 waterbirds. In collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the East Asia-Australasian Flyways Association, BirdLife has been working to raise the conservation control profile of these sites as key locations of the Regional Flyways Initiative. (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 surrounding the Yellow Sea are incredibly valuable to humans. A study on the state of the Yellow Sea in 2023, prepared in collaboration with BirdLife International, highlights this price: “The intertidal wetlands of the Yellow Sea have immense value to human communities and offer billions of dollars a year in ecosystem services. adding blue carbon sequestration and stabilization. one of the most densely populated coastal areas in the world facing the effects of storms and sea level rise. “
These five newly inscribed migratory bird sanctuaries constitute the extension of Phase II of the existing World Heritage sites in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf (Phase I) that were inscribed in 2019. This ongoing effort shows the government’s commitment Chinese with protective wetlands for any of the migratory species. 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 good 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 by sequestering more carbon, while providing essential facilities for people. Congratulations to China and everyone who has 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 of 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.