Systemic analysis of coastal wetland changes and their ecological impacts: A case study in Xiamen, China

A coastal wetland represents a fragile ecosystem between the ocean and land area. Its significant role in the material circulation and energy flow of an ecosystem has been acknowledged by an increasing number of scientists. However, constant influences of human economic activities and inappropriate exploitation have considerably changed coastal wetlands and caused many ecological problems. Based on extensive periodic data collected from field work and research related to coastal wetlands in Xiamen, China, an analysis model of "Pressures-States-Responses (PSR)" was developed in order to study the changes of coastal wetlands in Xiamen and their ecological impacts. Three main anthropogenic pressures affecting coastal wetlands in Xiamen were identified. According to five significant changes of states and four key functions of coastal wetlands, it was concluded that the five significant impacts on the environment of Xiamen Bay were: (1) sea water quality, (2) benthic community in offing marine, (3) siltation in navigation channel, (4) wetland aquaculture and (5) the population of rare ocean animals. Finally, some suggestions on wetland conservation and management from the point of integrated methods are presented.