Ecological Offsetting in China’s Coastal Wetlands: Existing Challenges and Strategies for Future Improvement

• DOI: 10.1007/s11769-019-1024-4
• Publication Date: 2019-01-05T04:43:32Z
• Authors: Shuling Yu; Baoshan Cui; Chengjie Xie; Xu Ma; Ying Man; Zhonghua Ning
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 14. Life underwater; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; 12. Responsible consumption

Land-use changes in coastal wetlands have led to a worldwide degradation of marine ecosystems and loss the ecological services they provide. Ecological offsetting is popular strategy an effective mitigation measure for that been degraded, damaged, or destroyed critical habitats where natural recovery hindered. However, current understanding theory practice extremely limited many developing countries. We conducted review projects studies China 1979–2017 explore application limitations theory. It was found China's regime has recently entered rapidly stage, with increasing number different types conducted, but theoretical research lags behind practical applications. Considerable governmental, social, technological ethical challenges remain resolve. Coastal schemes inconsistent meeting conservation objectives preventing net losses because ensuring are fully consistent (mainly in-kind offsets) out-of-kind offsets). were primarily implemented by government, developers, non-profit organizations. The available funding insufficient, which makes risky operation. Therefore, we propose strategies improvement integrate consideration process, while providing scientific basis directional guidance future biodiversity environmental management.