China's "New Great Wall" Threatening Birds|中國海岸線人工化 衝擊全球2成5候鳥

The winter is almost here, which means migratory birds will be arriving in Taiwan soon. The Chinese Wild Bird Federation has worked with the government and public for the past five years to conduct migratory bird censuses. The latest information shows significant decreases in the number of 13 migratory bird species. The federation believes this may be related to China's "New Great Wall," which has affected 25 percent of the world's migratory birds.


Many migratory birds stop in Taiwan during the winter. The Chinese Wild Bird Federation has monitored migratory birds for the past five years. Its latest information shows the greatest migratory bird diversity can be found in Kaohsiung's Tianliao Township, with 111 species. The place with the highest number of birds is Chiayi's Budai Township, with nearly 40,000 birds. However, the number of birds belonging to 13 species, including teal ducks and ruddy turnstones, has decreased significantly.

This is something we are extremely worried about. During these past five years, more and more people have participated in our censuses, and coverage area has expanded. However, the number of birds of these 13 species has fallen.

The federation believes this phenomenon is related to changes to the birds' breeding grounds and transitory habitats. The Endemic Species Research Institute says China's "New Great Wall" has caused coastal wetlands to disappear. The "New Great Wall," which is composed of artificial seawalls and structures, is already 11,560 kilometers long, making it even longer than the real Great Wall. It is threatening migratory bird populations.

The washing away of mud flats in the Yellow Sea, Bohai Sea and Chongming Dongtan region is occurring very quickly and is very severe. Migratory birds use mud flats to rest, and their disappearance has greatly and rapidly reduced the number of water birds.

Researchers have found the "New Great Wall" threatens over 25 percent of global water birds. In the worst case scenario, the population decreases may become permanent. In 2017, 11 fewer bird species were spotted at Changhua's wetlands compared to the previous year, while the overall bird population has dwindled to only one-tenth. This may be related to the loss of habitats.