Ecological function zoning of Poyang Lake wetland: a RAMSAR site in China

• Published in: Water policy Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 922 - 935
• Main Authors: Dongming, Xie, Guohua, Jin, Yangming, Zhou, Gengying, Jiao, Lingguang, Huang, Yuping, Yan, Xingzhao, Dai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London International Water Association 01.01.2013; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Aquatic ecosystems; Built environment; Classified information; Delineation; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecological function; Ecology; Economic development; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Environmental protection; Exact sciences and technology; Geographic information systems; Geographical information systems; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Information systems; Information technology; Lakes; Natural environment; Satellite navigation systems; Socioeconomic development; Socioeconomic factors; Spatial analysis; Spatial distribution; Technology assessment; Wetlands; Zoning; Far East; Asia; China; Poyang Lake; China, People's Rep; environment protection; Poyang Lake wetland; hydrology; Site analysis; Ecological function zoning; Wetland area; indicators; Wetland protection; wetlands; Water level; ecosystems; lakes; Ecological approach; Computing method; Wetland
• ISSN: 1366-7017; 1996-9759
• DOI: 10.2166/wp.2013.181

Ecological function zoning involves the spatial delineation of ecological functions based on the physical environment and ecosystem service functions, as well as the demands of eco-environmental protection and socio-economic development of the area according to the theory of ecological function regionalization. In this context, we defined the boundary of Poyang Lake wetland using geographic information system (GIS) technology based on an analysis of hydrological characteristics. The wetland area was determined as 5,186 km2. The characteristics of the natural environment and ecosystem service functions of Poyang Lake wetland were also appraised, with five ecological function areas classified; namely, ‘vitally important’, ‘highly important’, ‘important’, ‘slightly important’, and ‘restored’ zones. The spatial distribution and amounts of each zone were established. The areas of each zone were found to be: 276; 683; 1,164; 2,158; and 890 km2 respectively.