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WWF case study: Water for life: Lessons for climate change adaptation from better management of rivers for people and nature (Central Yangtze)
Summary:
In 2002 WWF commenced a program to reconnect lakes in Hubei Province to the Yangtze River through opening the sluice gates, and facilitate sustainable lake management. The program focused on three lakes: Zhangdu (40 km2), Hong (348 km2) and Tian’e Zhou (20 km2). Alternative and more sustainable livelihoods for local residents was a priority, in an area where the average income is just US$1.34 per day. In conjunction with this work, WWF formed partnerships with government agencies and others to explore options for more sustainable river basin management.
From 2004-2005 in Hubei Province the sluice gatesat lakes Zhengdu, Hong and Tien’e zhou have been seasonally re-opened and illegal and uneconomic aquaculture facilities and other infrastructure removed or modified. The success of these adaptations was replicated by the Anhui Government at Baidang Lake (40 km2) from 2006. Now these 448 km2 wetlands can store up to 285 Mm3 of floodwaters, reducing vulnerability to flooding in the central Yangtze region, although this has not yet been tested in practice.Cessation of unsustainable aquaculture, better agricultural practices, and reconnection to the Yangtze River has reduced pollution levels in these lakes. Pollution fell at Lake Hong from national pollution level IV (fit for agricultural use only) to II (drinkable) on China’s five point scale. Subsequently, the Anhui Government has reconnected a further eight lakes at Anqing covering 350 km2.
Adaptation Experience:
Of immediate benefit was the increase in wild fisheries species diversity and populations. The habitat restoration has increased wildlife diversity and populations.
Within six months of reconnection of Zhangdu lake the catch increased by 17.33% and nine fish species returned to the lake.Similarly the catch increased by 15% in Baidang Lake.Development of certified eco-fish farming by 412 households increased income of fishers by 20-30% on average. Similarly, the income from fisheries at the Yangcai Hu area of Hong lake increased by 25% after restoration. Bamboo farming has commenced,especially to stabilize steeper lands near the lakes.Access to cleaner water supplies is another benefit.
Twelve migratory fish species returned to the lakes. Hong Lake supported only 100 herons and egrets when polluted, but after restoration45,000 wintering water birds, 20,000 breeding birds and the endangered Oriental White Stork returned. Tian’e zhou lake is the site of the managed populations of the threatened Pere David’s Deer and Finless Porpoise, whose population has increased from 24 to 40. At Zhangdu Lake, 60 km2 of lake and marshland was designated as a nature reserve by the Wuhan Municipal Government. To strengthen the effectiveness of wetland conservation efforts in the Yangtze River basin, a Nature Reserve Network was established to link 17 nature reserves (12 recently designated) covering 4,500 km2. As a result of these benefits, in 2006 the Hubei Provincial Government adopted a wetlands conservation master plan and allocated resources to protect 4,500 km2 by 2010.
Results and Learning:
Altering flood control measures is controversial in any society, and in this case it took the greater threat of floods plus the prospect of enhanced livelihood to gain support to reconnect the floodplain lakes.Demonstrating that adaptations can work “in the field” was vital to learn by doing and to secure external support for wider application at provincial and national scales. Adaptation to the needs of governments and other stakeholders was essential for gaining support and ownership.
This case shows the value of restoring the natural resilience of the environment to climate events, in this case by restoring connectivity between the river and lakes by improving operations of under-performing water infrastructure. Assisting the local community to adapt their aquaculture and agriculture to more sustainable practices has enhanced their livelihoods and the environment. Working in partnership with government agencies has ensured that these changed practices are now mainstreamed in daily operations, and has seen these measures adopted at other lakes.
Sustainability:
Government agencies have adopted the new lake management regimes into their standard operating procedures and allocating funding for ongoing implementation. Nationally, there is the capacity to fund more lake reconnection should the central government support expansion of the program.
Replication:
There are many hundreds of sluice gates along the Yangtze River that cut off lakes, so there is considerable potential to scale up this approach. Further, this floodplain restoration strategy offers an alternative to the maladaptation of cutting more wetlands off from the river, as is proposed at Poyang Lake.
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