Wetlands declining, survey finds

China's wetlands have declined by 3.3963 million hectares in the last decade, according to findings of the second national wetland resources survey released on Monday.

The survey, carried out between 2009-2013, found that natural wetlands have declined by 9.33 percent.

However, the survey said that the number of wetlands under conservation have increased by 5.2594 million hectares, up from 30.49 percent to 43.51 percent.

Zhang Yongli, deputy director of the State Forestry Administration said that they have prioritized the importance of wetland conservation.

In the last decade they have added 25 new wetlands of international importance, built 279 new wetland natural reserves and 468 new wetland parks.

Zhang said that the primary factors affecting wetland conservation are pollution, construction, over-fishing and the invasion of alien species.

Zhang said the State would accelerate legislation on wetland protection and put more investment in conservation.