Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China

Coastal wetlands in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China: probably the most important site globally for the Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)

A groundbreaking study reveals that the coastal wetlands of Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China, host over 97.5% of the global Asian Dowitcher population during boreal spring migration, making it the most critical stopover site for this species. Field surveys in 2019 and 2020 documented unprecedented concentrations, with over 22,432 individuals recorded in a single area, underscoring its vital role in both northward and southward migrations. The research, combining field observations with expert consultations, highlights the wetlands' ecological significance while raising concerns about population declines due to human disturbances and stochastic events. These findings strongly advocate for the inclusion of Lianyungang's coastal wetlands in China's Phase II nomination for UNESCO World Heritage listing, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation measures to protect this globally critical site.