Ecological changes in the Yellow River area in Shandong- Birds sing and people live in peace

In a recent interview, Zhang Shuyan, a researcher at the Yellow River Estuary Management Station, shared an exciting discovery made during routine bird monitoring in the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, Shandong Province. “I was observing thousands of bean geese through my binoculars when suddenly I spotted an unfamiliar bird. It was smaller, brightly colored, and clearly different from the bean geese,” Zhang recounted. This sighting marked the first recorded instance of the Red-breasted Goose, a nationally protected species, in the reserve.

As part of a “Green First” media tour organized by the Shandong Provincial Publicity Department, I followed a group of journalists visiting the five cities along the Yellow River—Jinan, Dongying, and Binzhou—to explore the region’s ecological preservation and restoration efforts.

Zhou Licheng, head of the Planning and Construction Department of the Yellow River Delta Reserve, explained, “Since its establishment, the number of bird species in the reserve has increased from about 187 to 373. This area serves as a crucial stopover, wintering, and breeding ground for birds globally, with 1,632 wildlife species recorded, including 26 nationally protected first-class bird species and 65 second-class species. Experts both domestically and internationally refer to it as the ‘international airport for birds.'”

In recent years, the reserve has consistently promoted ecological protection and restoration, creating a suitable habitat for various vegetation types, benthic organisms, and bird species. “In the freshwater wetlands, we’ve established broad slopes and deep water areas, introduced Yellow River water, and built breeding islands for birds and habitats for fish. In the saline wetlands, we’ve fully restored the damaged saline vegetation to provide habitats for rare and endangered birds like gulls, cranes, and sandpipers. Along the coastal wetlands, we have managed the invasive Phragmites australis to rejuvenate what was once a ‘green desert’,” Zhou noted.

Thanks to these long-term efforts in ecological restoration, this year saw a significant improvement in the habitat conditions for migratory birds in the Yellow River Delta Reserve. In early May, staff members observed the breeding of the first-class protected Black-faced Spoonbill in the reserve. By mid-June, they discovered the breeding of the swan goose for the first time, and in July, the China Yellow (Bo) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat (Phase II) successfully joined the World Heritage List, with the Dongying Yellow River Estuary recognized as part of it.

Shandong is not just about the rush of the Yellow River into the sea, but also the serene beauty of Dongping Lake, the province’s second-largest freshwater lake, known for its mesmerizing waves and fishing songs as the sun sets. “In the past, families commonly practiced net-cage fish farming, which led to excessive nutrient levels in the water, causing rampant weed growth,” explained Li Houqin, who transitioned from fishing to a public green maintenance role. “After restoration efforts, Dongping Lake’s water has cleared up, and wildlife has returned.”

Zhang Song, deputy secretary of the Dongping Lake Management Committee, elaborated on the systemic governance in Dongping County. “We have implemented comprehensive ecological restoration projects around the lake, shuttering 607 polluting enterprises such as starch processing and paper making. Additionally, we removed net enclosures from 12,600 acres and destroyed 370 large sand-dredging boats while clearing 109 sand extraction sites along the lakeshore and rivers.”

According to Zhang, the local government has accelerated ecological restoration efforts, including the construction of wetland parks, and restored 34,000 acres of wetlands. Ongoing efforts to manage the rehabilitation of floating vegetation and promote ecological aquaculture have capitalized on the area’s expansive water surface of 250,000 acres, also creating over 2,000 public service jobs as part of the transition for former fishermen. Furthermore, the relocation projects in the Yellow River floodplain have successfully moved 92,000 residents to higher ground, ensuring long-term safety.

After years of remediation, the ecological environment of Dongping Lake has significantly improved, with water quality now stabilizing at Class III surface water standards and parts reaching Class II. The transparency of the water in the core areas exceeds three meters, leading to a revival of local species including migratory river lamprey, which has reappeared after many years, and the critically endangered Baikal Teal is now making this area its home.

Residents of the Huanghe Street area in Zhangqiao District have also benefited from effective governance in the floodplain. “I used to live in the floodplain, and whenever the water rose, I’d have to evacuate to the embankment, sometimes climbing to the roof to escape the rushing water. It was quite a hassle,” shared 80-year-old resident Xian. “After moving to Happy River Community, I found it much more convenient with facilities like the Yellow River Cultural Plaza and community service centers.”

Xu Jie, deputy director of the Huanghe Street Office, explained the ongoing relocation project aimed at keeping residents safe from flood hazards. “In 2020, we started the housing selection and relocation process, successfully moving over 12,000 residents into the Happy River Community.”

Once relocated, the land previously occupied by floodplain homes was leveled and converted into productive farmland, adding more than 2,000 acres of agricultural land. “The land has been leased out to outsiders, with ownership retained by the village collectives, generating approximately 2 million RMB annually for the community,” Xu added.