The relationship between inundation duration and Spartina alterniflora growth along the Jiangsu coast, China

The above-ground biomass of Spartina alterniflora salt marsh meadows is influenced by numerous interacting factors, among them elevation, tidal range and inundation duration. Bio-geomorphological models make use of either linear or quadratic equations, but it is important to be aware that the variables are area specific and hence not generic. In...

Ecological impact of land reclamation on Jiangsu coast (China): A novel ecotope assessment for Tongzhou Bay

China's continuous and rapid economic growth has led to the reclamation of large sections of the intertidal mud coast in combination with port construction, such as that of the proposed Tongzhou Bay port on the Jiangsu coast. These reclamations threaten the local ecosystem services. An ecotope distribution map was created and a hydrodynamic...

Building for nature: Preserving threatened bird habitat in port design

The fast economic development of the People's Republic of China has created an increasing demand for usable land, resulting in large-scale land reclamations along the coastal zone. One of these regions is Tongzhou Bay (Jiangsu coast), a region characterized by large intertidal mudflats and deep tidal channels with potential for the...