Project

China’s Disappearing Wetlands

Wetlands are found on every continent on earth, in the form of rivers, shallow lakes, swamps, mangroves, estuaries and floodplains. They are valued for their ability to store floodwaters, protect shorelines, improve water quality, and recharge groundwater aquifers.

The relationship between man and wetlands, however, has always been one of an uneasy balance. For the past few hundred years, this balance has gone against wetlands throughout the world, threatening these lands which mankind relies so heavily upon.

China's wetlands cover some 65 million hectares, ranking first in Asia and representing ten percent of the world's total wetlands. A quiet crisis is occurring however as these important waters are quickly disappearing.

As a result of China's rapid economic growth in recent decades, coupled with climate change, vast swathes of China's wetlands have now disappeared. Between 1990 and 2000, 30% of China natural wetlands disappeared, 50% of China's coastal wetlands have vanished since the 1950's and wetlands at the great Yangtze River's origin have contracted 30% over the past 40 years.

These changes have serious consequences for the millions of people who rely on these sources of water across the country.

Qinghai's Troubled Soul

The surface level of China's largest saltwater lake sits 13 meters lower than it did a century ago.

China: Education in the Mangroves

Since the end of World War II, 50 percent of the worlds mangroves have been destroyed. In Zhanjiang, China, students learn to protect them.

Dongting Hu: A Lake in Flux

Recent flooding at Dongting Lake means little in the wake of 70 years of drought which have caused the lake's volume to decrease by 50 percent.

Male Fish + Chemicals = ??

While many are not aware of the details of modern water pollution, most understand the frightening words: “toxic chemicals”.

Meet Sean Gallagher

Sean Gallagher is a British photographer currently based in China. To date he has lived and worked across the world, spending extended periods of time in locations as diverse as Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, China, the United Arab Emirates and various European nations.