Biogeochemistry-ecosystem-social interactions on the Chinese continental margins

Abstract

Chinese continental margins are experiencing remarkable environmental changes driven by anthropogenic activities and climate change. As an important habitat and sea-based fish farming resource in China, the Bohai was selected as a case study to understand how ecosystems and social interactions are influenced by multi-stressors. The Bohai ecosystem has been considerably modified. The Bohai coastline has been significantly changed (e.g., total sea area decreased and morphology changed) by sea reclamation and riverine sediment transport related to agriculture and erosion. Therefore, the strict reclamation policy and “Grain-for-Green” program have been issued to protect the coastline. Nutrient concentrations and composition have been changed by fertilizer application, wastewater discharge, and variations in seasonal patterns of riverine nutrient fluxes. Hence, pollution control and prevention are necessary. More seriously, fishing resources have been altered, as a result of environmental changes and overfishing. Therefore, a summer fishing ban and stock enhancement should be vital besides environmental improvement. This study can help to predict and mitigate impacts on global continental margins that are experiencing similar environmental stress.

Keywords

• Drivers
• Pressures
• Environmental change
• Social response
• Bohai