Ecosystem-based coastal zone management: A comprehensive assessment of coastal ecosystems in the Yangtze Estuary coastal zone

The comprehensive assessment of ecosystems is highlighted as one of the most important parts of ecosystem-based management (EBM) that must be addressed. In this paper, taking Chongming Dongtan coastal zone in the Yangtze Estuary as a case study, an example of the EBM approach to the assessment of ecosystem quality and degradation response to human impacts was presented. The spatio-temporal dynamics of the coastal ecosystems in the study area during the period 1990–2008 were analysed. The three main ecosystem types in the region: the natural wetland ecosystem, the agricultural ecosystem and the suburban ecosystem, were assessed for the period 2000–2008 through the application of an index of ecosystem degradation (EDI). The results indicated that large-scale reclamation and the invasion of an exotic plant Spartina alterniflora had threatened the ecosystem health of the natural wetland and caused its degradation. The production structure in agriculture needed to be improved and the amount of chemical fertilizer and pesticide application needed to be reduced, because they caused the degradation in the agricultural ecosystem. The area and population of the suburban ecosystem had grown substantially, which could not keep a pace with a healthy working and living environment. Based on these results, management strategies were proposed to minimize and/or reduce future degradation and impact. The methodology developed in this study is applicable elsewhere where coastal zones are under pressure.