The Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province published a proposed list of important wetlands for 2024 recently, featuring Maoming's Dianbai Shuidong Bay mangrove wetland situated in the region.

Generally speaking, wetlands – often referred to as "the kidneys of the Earth" – form one of the planet's three vital ecosystems alongside forests and oceans.

The Shuidong Bay mangrove wetland is located in China's largest ecological estuary and city inlet along the mainland coastline.

Over the past two decades, Maoming city in Guangdong has undertaken extensive mangrove restoration and bay construction efforts, including mangrove restorative planting, waterway dredging and pollution control.

What's more, these initiatives have restored over 280 hectares of mangroves, making the Shuidong Bay mangrove forest one of the largest contiguous artificial mangrove planting bases in China.

As the eco-environment of the Shuidong Bay mangrove wetland improves, the area's biodiversity has flourished. The sanctuary now provides a flourishing habitat for over 130 bird species, including migratory birds like egrets and seagulls, over 90 fish species and over 70 benthic species.

In 2018, the Shuidong Bay mangrove wetland was recognized as one of Guangdong's top 10 birdwatching spots. The wetland's breathtaking scenery at dusk – featuring rose-hued clouds, gently swaying mangroves and soaring birds in the evening glow – draws countless tourists annually.

The wetland's inclusion in the proposed list is said to highlight its ecological significance and the city government's continued efforts to protect this treasure land.

Seagulls rest in Shuidong Bay. [Photo/Wechat account: maofabu]

A panoramic view of the mangrove forest in the Shuidong Bay mangrove wetland. [Photo/WeChat account: maofabu]