The county-level city of Zhangjianggang in East China's Jiangsu province is now home to 20,049.66 hectares of wetland, accounting for 20.19 percent of its total land area. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

The county-level city of Zhangjianggang in East China's Jiangsu province has made significant progress in the protection of its wetlands, and statistics show that the city is now home to 20,049.66 hectares of wetland, accounting for 20.19 percent of its total land area, according to a local news report on the 25th World Wetlands Day on Feb 2.

Wetlands, which include lakes, rivers, marshes, and coasts, are the most threatened ecosystem, according to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, an independent international body. Wetlands are also vital feeding and breeding grounds for migratory birds.

According to the city's environmental authorities, in the past year, Zhangjianggang has made significant achievements in improving water quality and protecting the environment, especially wetlands around the Yangtze River.

Two observation stations were built along the river to monitor the living conditions of rare birds and fishes, and a diversified market-based mechanism for ecological compensation was set up. Seventeen administrative villages have received a total of 3.15 million yuan ($487,560) in compensation for funds spent on wetland protection in 2020.

Thanks to the continuous efforts of the local government, Zhangjiagang's improved environment has attracted more than 250 species of birds to its wetlands, including reed parrotbills.