Invasion of Spartina alterniflora in the coastal zone of mainland China: Control achievements from 2015 to 2020 towards the Sustainable Development Goals

Huiying Li; Dehua Mao; Zongming Wang; Xiao Huang; Lin Li; Mingming Jia

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116242

Invasion of Spartina alterniflora in the coastal zone of mainland China: Control achievements from 2015 to 2020 towards the Sustainable Development Goals

J Environ Manage. 2022 Dec 1:323:116242. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116242. Epub 2022 Sep 21.

Authors

Huiying Li¹, Dehua Mao², Zongming Wang³, Xiao Huang⁴, Lin Li⁵, Mingming Jia⁶

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China.
² Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China. Electronic address: maodehua@iga.ac.cn.
³ Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China; National Earth System Science Data Center of China, Beijing, 100101, China.
⁴ Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA.
⁵ Department of Earth Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University, 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China.

PMID: 36261984
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116242

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on Biological Diversity's 15th Conference of the Parties (CBD COP15) both emphasized the urgency of protecting biological diversity. Spartina alterniflora (S. alterniflora), as an invasive species in China, has posed severe biodiversity challenges, demanding nationwide control and management. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of S. alterniflora management during China's SDGs implementation from 2015 to 2020. Landsat images acquired in 2015 (the beginning year of SDGs), 2018, and 2020 (the end year of SDGs' targets 6.6, 14.2, 14.5, and 15.8 related to alien invasion) were applied to quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of S. alterniflora extent. The results revealed a consistent shrinkage of S. alterniflora, with a net areal reduction of 2610 ha from 2015 to 2020, implying the effectiveness of control measures on S. alterniflora invasion. Provinces including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shanghai have succeeded in controlling S. alterniflora, evidenced by the sharp reduction in S. alterniflora area by 4908 ha, 2176 ha, and 1034 ha, respectively, from 2015 to 2020. However, better management of S. alterniflora is needed in regions with more severe S. alterniflora invasion, e.g., Shandong, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces. Our results suggest that relevant policies, regulations, and ecological restoration projects implemented by national or local governments in China received satisfactory results in S. alterniflora control. Nevertheless, S. alterniflora potential utilities and its governance effectiveness should be objectively evaluated and weighed to obtain the greatest ecological benefits and promote sustainable coastal ecosystems. The results of this study are expected to provide important baseline information benefitting the formulation of coastal protection and restoration strategies in China.

Keywords: Coastal wetland; Remote sensing; S. alterniflora control; S. alterniflora invasion; Sustainable development goals (SDGs).

MeSH terms

China
Ecosystem*
Introduced Species
Poaceae
Sustainable Development
Wetlands*