China to Grow Mangrove Forests along Southern Coast

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, February 02, 2002

China to Grow Mangrove Forests along Southern Coast

China plans to plant 60,000 hectares of mangrove forests along the southern coastal areas in the coming decade.

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China plans to plant 60,000 hectares of mangrove forests along the southern coastal areas in the coming decade.

The area of mangrove forests along the southern seashore will be increased from the current 24,600 to 84,600 hectares by 2010. The planting will be part of the state project to build up the coastal shelter belt.

With an even distribution, the mangrove forests are expected toeffectively alleviate natural disasters, such as abnormally high tides and stormy waves.

The mangrove, an unusual species which roots in estuarine mud and above ground, is of key importance in protecting the coastal environment around gulfs and stream outlets.

In addition, the tree is also beneficial to and can protect biological diversities along the coastal wetlands.

Currently, the area of mangrove forests all over the country has reduced to 15,000 hectares from the original 50,000 hectares after the founding of new China, according to Wei Diansheng, director of the Tree Planting and Forestation Department of the State Forestry Bureau.

The vanishing of mangrove forests in large areas has led to a series of ecological problems, such as a decrease in aquatic animals and an expansion of seashore wastelands, Wei said.

Now, 80 percent of mangrove forests are protected in special nature reserves.

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