Flocks of birds fly over the Tiaozini wetland, in Feb 2023. [Photo by Sun Jialu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Vast areas on the coast of the Yellow Sea featuring intertidal mudflat and saline soil are bursting with life thanks to protection and afforestation efforts, becoming invaluable ecological assets to Dongtai city in East China's Jiangsu province.

"An increasing number of birds have been observed at Tiaozini wetland in recent years, including the endangered spoon-billed sandpiper and Nordman's greenshank," said Lyu Hongtao, a local official in charge of the wetland conservation.

Covering an area of around 127 hectares, the Tiaozini wetland is an essential stopover halfway along the East Asia–Australasia Flyway, welcoming millions of migratory birds every year. In 2019, it was included as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site-the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I).

"The number of Nordman's greenshank observed here has increased to 1,221 in 2022 from less than 600 years ago. Every year, nearly half of the world's currently existing 600-some spoon-billed sandpipers would spend three months feeding, molting and resting at the mudflat," said Lyu.

Shorebirds gather at the Tiaozini wetland in Feb 2023. [Photo by Sun Jialu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

"Tiaozini has become one of the preferred habitats during the migration season for many critically endangered and endangered bird species around the world," said Jiang Wenkui, director of the Tiaozini wetland service center. "To date, we've observed birds of 410 species including four critically endangered, nine endangered and 16 vulnerable."

"We have even observed 11 flamingos this year, which was rarely seen at the flat before, maybe accidently one or two in 2018, said Lyu. "As the ecology improves, more and more birds are attracted to come and stay here."

Birds fly over at the Tiaozini wetland, in Feb 2023. [Photo by Sun Jialu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Human efforts have contributed to the flourishing bird life at the mudflat, leaving and creating more space for birds to live.

"There used to have fishermen making a living here, catching fish, raising fish in the ponds and collecting clams and crabs after ebb tide. To leave more habitats and food supply to the birds, they stopped fishing and picked up jobs in ecotourism. Their ponds have also been returned to wetlands," said Lyu.

Birds stay at the temporary habitats converted from fishing ponds during the high tide at Tiaozini wetland in Dongtai city, Yancheng city, East China's Jiangsu province, in Feb 2023. [Photo by Sun Jialu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

"Besides, we have rented more fish ponds of 720 mu (48 hectares) and converted them into temporary habitats for shorebirds when the tidelands are submerged by the seawater," Lyu added.

Around only 20 minutes' drive away the bird sanctuary, in the Yellow Sea Forest Park, stretches of saline-alkali land with no end in sight in the past are covered by lush trees with hard work of many generations.

Birds stay at the temporary habitats converted from fishing ponds during the high tide at Tiaozini wetland in Dongtai city, Yancheng city, East China's Jiangsu province, in Feb 2023. [Photo by Sun Jialu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

"The history of afforestation dates back to 1965 when a forest farm was established. At first, we could only plant saline-alkaline tolerant trees such as locust trees on the coastal area. But generations after with improved soil, the park is filled with towering trees, dominated by metasequoia and ginkgo," said Lin Tongyue, a staff member at the Yellow Sea Forest Park management center.

Covering a total area of 68,000 acres, with a forest coverage rate of over 85 percent, the park now is home to the largest man-made forest in the eastern China. Afforestation continues today with 100,000 saplings planted every year.

"In the past, the trees were planted for selling timber. In the 2000s, we have committed to developing eco-tourism with our forest resources, which has yielded higher economic benefits," said Lin.

The park received over 2 million visits in 2022, generating an income of over 150 million yuan ($21.7million).

"In the future, the park will further tap into the forest resources and offer upgraded leisure and sightseeing experience that integrates the ocean, wetlands, and forests, and strive to become a national-level tourist resort," said Lin.