Major Animal Species in the Wetlands of the Minjiang River Estuary

4.4.1.4.1 Important Sites for Survival of Wetland Birds

Bianfuzhou Wetland: situated at Houyu Township, the ecological environment chiefly consisting of sandy mud flats, paddy fields and river bend depressions. Owing to the building of embankment, land reclamation and filling in of the waterway, the ecological environment is being damaged. The bird species frequently seen here are Chinese Egret, Gray heron, Black-headed Gull, Spotted Dove, White-breasted Kingfisher and Skylark (Alauda arvensis); at dusk or at high tide many wild geese and ducks fly here to forage and Curlews often congregate at this site.

Luqizhou Wetland: situated to the northeast of Chengmen Town of Fuzhou in the north harbor of the Men River, consisting mainly of sandbanks, most of which becomes inundated at high tide, and partly made up of grassy mud flats.Fish, shrimp and Asiatic clam abound here, making the place an important habitat for anseriforms and wading birds to forage and reside. The species often seen are Chinese Egret, Gray Heron, Green-winged Teal, Spotbill Duck, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) and Kentish Plover.

Daoqingzhou Wetland: situated at Yangxiacun of Fuzhou suburbs, it is near to Mahangzhou, a sandbank with farmland and reed bed; here exists an abundance of crab and Asiatic clam, and every year in Spring and Autumn several hundreds of passing migrants such as Whimbrel come to this place. The habitat of birds has incurred severe damage and disruption due to removal of sand and earth-filling plus excessive catching of fish, shrimp and crab by the villagers. According to survey before 1980, there used to be several thousand of wild geese and ducks and huge numbers of sandpipers gather to forage on the mud flats. Today the species frequently seen are Gray Heron, Chinese Pond-Heron, Chinese Egret, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Kentish Plover ans Green-winged Teal.

For details of Puxiazhou (including Xindangzhou) wetland site, see section below.

Tajiaozhou Wetland: situated at Niaolongjiang on the northern side of Minhouxiang Town, here exist large expanse of sand beach and mud flat; on part of the sand bank are planted crops like sugarcane and rice, and large quantities of Asiatic clams are cultured here. According to survey before 1980, tens of thousands of waterfowl and sandpipers and curlews arrive here to pass the winter; at ebb tide they would gather here and at high tide, some continue to float around whereas others flock to grassy mud flats or cropland on the sand banks. After 1990, due to excessive harvesting of baby eels, numerous nets cast on the watercourse and increased human activity, the birds become deprived of quiet surroundings needed for foraging and roosting. At present the species often encountered are Chinese Egret, Gray Heron, Spotbill Duck, Green-winged Teal as well as birds of prey.

Changanzhou Wetland: This is situated on the south bank of Min Jiang to the northeast of Zhuqixiang, Minhou County. Forest near the river bank consists mainly of Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta), Taiwan Acacia, and Horsetail Tree; herbaceous plants on the meadows are chiefly of the families Ranunculaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae and Compositae, which grow scattered about among the grass; also it should be noted that a plant closely protected by the Province - Chinese ladiestresses (Schizandra chinensis)- has a large patch of growth here.In the meadows can be found abandoned fishponds and cisterns; in the tidal zone one can see aquatic creatures like Asiatic clam, crab and fish; towards the middle are cultivated fields planted to rice, sweet potato and fruits. The bird species distributed here are chiefly shorebirds like Spotted Dove, Common Magpie, Great Tit (Parus major), Oriental Tree-Pipit and Black-collared Starling; Wading birds like Chinese Egret, Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) and Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) often congregate in this area. Should typhoon and other weather change occur, Green-winged Teal, Spotbill Duck and Black-headed Gull which usually feed and live at the mouth of the Min Jiang would flock in large numbers up the river to take refuge and forage here in more sheltered surroundings, providing a most spectacular sight.

4.4.1.4.2 Important Puxiazhou Wetland Sites for Bird Survival

Puxiazhou (including Xindangzhou) Wetland: situated in the north harbor to the northeast of Cangshan District, has a diverse ecological environment with sandbanks and grassy mud flats. Manchurian Wild Rice (Zazania latifolia) is grown on a part of the sandbank, and fish, shrimp and Asiatic clam are found in the watercourse in great abundance. Because of silt accumulation in the water area, the waterway is increasingly getting shallower, and construction of buildings along the river by the villagers has led to shrinking of the wetland. According to survey before 1980, there were large numbers of anseriforms and wading birds coming here to live, but at present curlews, sandpipers and anseriforms only gather here at high tide or at dusk to rest or forage. The species that frequent this place are Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis), Chinese Egret, Gray Heron, Chinese Pond-Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), Spotbill Duck, Green-winged Teal, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper.

In the Min Jiang estuary region there are 12 species of birds falling into the second order endangered list of the State, but among the birds at Puxiazhou these specially protected rare species are not often seen.

In the Min Jiang estuary region there are 21 bird species under the special protection of Fujian Province, and of these 3 species are often encountered in Puxiazhou, namely, Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis poggei), Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta).

The Chinese Government pays great attention to the protection of migratory birds, and has signed agreements with Japan and Australia regarding protection of migratory birds and their habitat; according to agreement with Japan signed in March of 1981, 227 species should be protected, and according to agreement with Australia signed in October 1986, 81 species. These bird species include: Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax), Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca crecca), Spotbill Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha zonorhyncha), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos).

Geographic distribution: they occur in the Northeast, North, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River of China; abroad they are found in Eastern Siberia, Japan, Korea, India and Myanmar. In our wetland they are Winter migrants and some of them resident birds.

Habitat and Habits: they inhabit wetlands along rivers, lakes, fishponds, coastal mud flats and wetlands of other water bodies, often moving about in small groups. When in flight the wings are flapped slowly, the neck retracted in the form of a "Z" and both legs stretched straight out behind; at nights they usually congregate in flocks on high trees or in reed beds on wetlands.

Popopulation Status and Protection: The Gray Heron was formerly a widely distributed and often seen wading bird in China, but in recent years their habitat condition have deteriorated and the population substantially reduced, being decreased by one-third according to 1990 data. In China the Gray Heron has been listed as an endangered animal to be protected.

（2）Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes)

Geographic distribution: In China this bird is distributed chiefly in provinces south of the Yangtze River, westerly to the middle of Sichuan, and as far north as southern Shaanxi and Henan Provinces; abroad they occur in Spain, France, Italy and Ukraine. In our wetland, they are Summer migrants and some of them resident birds.

Habitat and Habits: They inhabit lakes, fishponds, paddy fields, mud flats and such wetlands, and are gregarious. They often move about in small groups in shallow water and, when foraging, frequently stand motionless for long periods on one foot, with one leg held below its abdomen and head retracted on to its back to give a hump-back appearance; in walking it moves lightly and steadily in an unhurried fashion, and at night it roosts on nearby trees.

Population Status and Protection: The Chinese egret wapopulation s a common bird in South China, but its habitat has been damaged in the last few years due to reduction of grain field, and now it ranges widely over Min Jiang estuaine wetlands.

4.4.2 Wetland Plant Species

4.4.2.1 Special Features of Wetland Flora

The number of plant species on the Min Jiang estuarine wetlands is great; according to survey data, vascular plant can be categorized into 109 families, 340 genera and 488 species (including subspecies and mutant species), respectively occupying 47.2%, 27.1% and 13.1% of the vascular plant families , genera and species occurring in Fujian Province, among which are 16 families, 17 genera and 23 species of tuberous plant. Most of the latter are genera with few or single species, such as Marsileaceae, Osmundaceae, Nephrolepidaceae, Equisetaceae, Selaginellaceae, Azollaceae and Salviniaceae; many of these plants species are important components of floating, bog or marsh vegetation.

Gymnosperm plants are relatively few in the Min Jiang estuarine wetlands, the important ones being these three species: Chinese swamp cypress (Glyptostrobus pensilis), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii). Of these the Chinese Swamp Cypress and Dawn Redwood are single species trees unique to China, the Dawn Redwood being China's ancient and precious relic plant, which was introduced to Fujian in the 40's of the last century. The Slash Pine is indigenous to lower altitudes in the southeast of USA, and likes plent of sunshine, is wet-tolerant and fast growing. It was brought into Fujian Province in 1933.

There are 458 species of angiosperm plants here, which belong to 90 families and 318 genera. Among them monocotyledon plants account for 17 families, 61 genera and 86 species, and dicotyledon plants number 73 families, 257 genera and 372 species. Angiosperm fmilies containing more than 20 genera are Graminaceae, Cyperaceae, Compositae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae and Leguminosae. Among these, in number of genera, species and plants of the Cyperaceae and Graminaceae, the Min Jiang estuarine wetland rankmiddle s second to none.

Furthermore, families and genera with only single or few component are relatively plentiful here, e.g., the families Potamogetonaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Musaceae and Saururaceae, and the genera Spirodela and Hydrilla. In number of species and plants, the herbaceous plants hold absolute predominance, and on the Min Jiang estuarine wetlands almost all of the typical aquatic plants are herbaceous, woody plants being fewer.

Among the angiosperm plants on the Min Jiang estuarine wetlands, most of them belong to species with cosmopolitan distribution. Commonly seen are the genera Ranunculus, Scirpus, Potamogeton, Carex, Ceratophyllum, Phyragmites, Cyperus, Lemna,Juncus and Plantago. Most of them belong to fresh water aquatic plants, hygrophytic or associative plants, and these three types of plants are very common on Min Jiang estuarine wetlands.

The characteristics of the vascular plant flora on the Min Jiang estuarine wetlands are approximately the same as those on most east China wetlands.

4.4.2.2 Vegetation Pattern and Distribution of Puxiazhou Wetland Vegetation

According to the classification stipulated in and , the vegetation pattern of the Min Jiang estuarine wetlands can be divided into the following 4 types, namely, mangrove forest, sandy-soil vegetation, shallow water vegetation and swamp vegetation. We have Kandelia (Kandelia obovata) community, Horsetail Tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) community, Chinese Hackberry(Celtis sinensis) community, Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae) community, Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon) community, Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) community, Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) community, Azolla (Azolla imbricata) community, Duckweed (Lemna minor) community, Hornwort (Ceratophylum demersum) community, Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) community, Common Reed (Phragmites communis) community, Sand Sedge (Cyperus malaccensis) community, Common bulrush (Scirpus triqueter) community, Torpedo grass (Panicum repens)community, wild rice (Zizania palustris) community, Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) community, and Oldham bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) community, including 18 communities and 22 Clumps.

Below is a brief description of Puxiazhou wetland vegetation dispersion pattern:

① Sand Sedge community (Form Cyperus malaccensis var .brevifolius)

This kind of community belongs to herbaceous swamp vegetation, signifying that it is a community of hydrophilic plants growing on ground which is very wet. The plant community is distributed mainly along seacoasts, estuaries, river beaches, ponds and depressions in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Fujian; the plants are adapted to low-salinity mud flats, but some community may extend towards fresh water areas.

These communities occur in mud flats and along low-lying river beaches of Puxiazhou, Xindangzhou, also extensively in Zaicaozhou, Liushifenzhou and Tajiaozhou. Due to the ebb and flow of tides, the communities are periodically submerged in water.

The community structure is simple, consisting of a single predominant species and forming one grassy layer. Externally the community shows a greenish yellow colour, with a total coverage of 80% and an average height of 0.9 to 1 meter. At the peripheral or near at hand some associative plants like "Water Dragon", Common Rush (Juncus effusus rattail ), "Rat tail Millet and Alligator Weed may be found interspersed iamong the grasses..

Sand Sedge can be woven into mats, and can also be used for packaging and binding material.

(2) Weeping Willow community (Form .Salix babylonica )

Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica ) is a deciduous woody tree, usually growing near streams and is found all over China, and belongs to woody swamp vegetation .

Weeping willow growing around Puxiazhou and Xindangzhou usually have their lower half submerged at high tide and exposed at ebb tide, and because of this periodical tidal effect, many of the roots become twisted and thickened; withered leaves are washed away to be replaced by new leaves budding out. Because of the strong vitality of the tree, it shows rapid growth and ease of propagation; in the area surveyed these tree grow vigorously despite the harsh conditions, forming well developed root system, sturdy stem and bark; the leaves are narrow, but the excellent growth attest to their adaptability to adverse environment. In the area being surveyed, the willow trees reach a height of 4 to 5 meters, with diameter of stem 10 to 25 cm; the community is rather monotonous, there being few plants besides the willow trees; the coverage of the community can attain 70% and on the branches we may often find articles that was washed in by flood hanging on the branches. In the community, few herbaceous plants occur, only some Japanese galangal (Alpinia japonica), water pepper (Polygonum hydropiper) and Aalligator weed may be seen. herbaceous plant

3) Oldham bamboo community (Form. Dendrocalampsis okdhami)

Oldham bamboo in Fujian mainly grow along streams, and belong to woody swamp vegetation. They are also seen on both sides of the Min Jiang, and they yield the famous bamboo shoot eaten by the people.

In the some sections of Puxiazhou and Xindangzhou, the Oldham bamboo form clustered growth, and usually form monotonous communities. Height of the plant 6 to 8 meters, diameter of stem 9 to 10 cm, with a community coverage of 80%. The community generally is one in which Oldham bamboo retains absolute dominance and with good growth. On the exterior the community appears green or bright green in colour, the underground root is well developed and the propagative power strong; around the community may be seen Beautiful galangal, Burmareed, sky flower, common rush and yerbadetajo associated with it.

4.4.3 Wetland Aquatic Life

4.4.3.1 Large-sized Benthic Invertebrates of the Min Jiang Estuarine Wetlands

The lower reaches of the Min Jiang is subjected to the periodicity of marine tides, and at different location of the water body the salinity also undergoes periodic changes. Thus, creatures living at the lower reaches and the mouth of the Min Jiang have evolved into unique faunal and floral systems. Based on the characteristics of aquatic life structure, invertebrates in the wetlands under the present survey can roughly be classified into three types, namely, near shore low-salinity fauna, estuarine brackish water fauna and inland fresh water fauna.

Preliminary survey of the lower reaches and estuary region of Min Jiang has discovered 61 species of large-sized benthic invertebrates, belonging to 4 phyla, 30 families and 50 genera. Among these arthropods and crustaceae species make up the majority with 13 families, 23 genera and 31 species; next in line comes mollusks with 14 families 24 genera and 27 species, the rest form a very small part.

There are over 20 species of benthic invertebrates .

At the Fuzhou section of the Min Jiang 9 species of benthic animals were found, among the annelids was Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, among the mollusks there were snails and clams, and among the arthropods shrimps and crabs.

4.4.3.1.1 Invertebrate in the lower reach of the Minjiang River

Most of the river section from Yuean to Zhuqi belongs to tide-sensing, although river water is affected by the rising tide, it is basically not affected by the salt tide, which belongs to a freshwater wetland. Invertebrate at this area is quite different from the typical one at the estuary with low salt, also slightly different from animal system in the ecologic environment at the juncture of the semi-salt water and freshwater. Many sandbanks will emerge at this wetland and neighboring areas at ebb tide. The berthonic animals mainly are: muller, freshwater shellfishes and clam; crustacean mainly are: fold crab, Japanese crab, Japanese swamp prawn, holtthuis and springtail shrimp, especially, muller, fold crab and springtail shrimp distribute widely and there is a considerable resource.

4.4.3.1.2 Invertebrate on the Puxiazhou and Xindangzhou

Puxiazhou and Xindangzhou at the lower reach of the Minjiang Beigang is a mud wetland. According to sampling survey, large berthonic invertebrate are: muller, clam, freshwater shellfishes, Chinese field snail, fold crab, holtthuis, Japanese fine hair chela crab and springtail shrimp. Description of the important economic varieties on the Puxiazhou and Xindangzhou are as follows:

(1) Muller (also called: yellow muller and sand muller) Corbucula fluminea
The shell is medium-sized, with a length of about 40mm, a height of about 37mm and a width of about 20mm. The shell is very hard with two pieces of drum-shaped shells. It appears triangular. Two ends of the shell are quite close to each other. About 2/3 of the shell looks white due to corrosion. The belly of the shell is semi round and back is slightly sectional. There is luster on the shell surface with clear growth rings. Shell color varies with its living environment. Those living in sand environment mostly appear yellow, brown yellow or yellow green. Those living in sand-mud or mud environment mostly appear brown, black brown or deep black. Interior of the shell looks light purple and has enamel luster. The external ligament is short and looks yellow brown. The joint is strong. The left and right shells have 3 main teeth each and front ad back side teeth. The front end of the left shell has two big main teeth of splay-shape. Back tooth is thin and long and tilts backwards. There is one side tooth on front and back, the central tooth on the right shell is big. Front main tooth is weak and back main tooth is thin and long. There are two teeth on front and back sides.
Muller is not only an important freshwater shellfish but also a natural feed for fishes and water birds, and feed for poultry and domestic animals. It has a relatively high economic value. Muller is the second intermediate host of the echinococcus for human being and animals.
(2) Holtthuis (big white prawn, holtthuis, freshwater and villi shrimp) Exopalaemon carinicauda
It is a kind of medium-sized shrimp with a body length of 50～90mm. The body with blue or red spots is transparent and. After it is boiled, the head and tail look red but the other part look white, so it is called white shrimp. Forehead is flat, thin and protrudes like a cock crown. Eggs are orange.
The holtthuis usually lives in the offshore area with a salinity of less than 29‰, sometimes they can be seen in semi-salt freshwater area. It widely distributes along China’s coast. It is a special kind of shrimp of China. The holtthuis is an important edible shrimp with a considerable output. It is worth to farm and an important natural feed for fishes and water birds.

4.4.3.2 Plankton

According to the community distribution features of the plankton at the Minjiang estuary wetland, zooplankton and phytoplankton can be divided into three categories： zooplankton and phytoplankton area system at the river estuary with low salinity; zooplankton and phytoplankton area system at semi-salt river estuary；zooplankton and phytoplankton area system in inland freshwater. According to the preliminary survey, there are 176 kinds of planktons, out of which are 97 algae.
According to former survey, algae in the Fuzhou section of the Minjiang River are not too much. There are only 6 varieties of 23 genus. At Taijiang section, there are 4 phylum - bacillariophyta, cryptophyta, chlorophyta and cyanophytes - ten genus；at Kuiqi section, there are 5 phylum - bacillariophyta, cryptophyta, chlorophyta, cyanophytes and euglenophyta of 15 genus. There are only freshwater algae at Taijiang and Kuiqi section.
There are 18 kinds of shellfishes in the Fuzhou section of the Minjiang River. There is a small amount of the zooplankton, about several pieces in every 20L water.
Freshwater plankton in the lower reach of the Minjiang River
Area from Zhuqi to Minan belongs to a tide-sensing river, although river water is affected by the tide, the salinity of the river water is basically not affected by the tide, the waterbody belongs to freshwater. Besides there are several kinds of algae, the typical algae such as middle-rib algae and angle-hair algae are not found there. But algae community is relatively dense. Generally speaking, the genus of the plankton is richer than that in offshore sea water area or semi-salt water area. Besides bacillariophyta, there are chlorophyta, cyanophytes, cryptophyta and euglenophyta, out of which part of them belong to the common genus in the rivers; part of them grow in the streams, paddy fields and fishponds. They gather in the Minjiang River from branches or surface waters, most of them widely distribute worldwide. But, their biomass is quite limited.
The zooplankton in this section is significantly more than in the offshore seawater or semi-salt water. There are no noctiluca and Chinese calanoida in the waterbody. Instead, many inland freshwater species, such as rotifer and spoon calanoida, etc., are living there. Meanwhile, some of them are hosts in the rivers and some of them live in the inland rivers, reservoirs, farmland and swamp. They gather in the Minjiang River also from branches or surface waters, most of them widely distribute worldwide. But, their biomass is quite limited.

4.4.3.3 Aquatic life and wetland birds

Migratory birds have obtained a nature that adapts to the changed environment during long evolution. Wetlands at the Minjiang estuary are fine habitats for migratory birds. So many birds passes here to fly to the south or north, they stop here for a period of time they need. Since there are lots of rich aquatic lives, they can provide the migratory birds here with sufficient feeds. As the feeds for birds, aquatic lives mainly include vertebrate such fishes, water invertebrate and plankton, etc.

4.4.3.3.1 Invertebrate and wetland birds

Another three important wetland habitats for water birds are Daoqingzhou, Puxiazhou and Tajiaozhou at the lower reach of the Minjiang River and as well as a transient station for water birds to migrate from the Minjiang estuary to inland rivers, lakes and reservoirs for feeding or breeding. According to sampling survey on those wetlands, there are 23 kinds of benthon invertebrates. Although the number is much smaller than those at the tidal belt along the river estuary，benthon has its own unique berthonic community structure, among which living communities large in number are: muller, freshwater shellfish, white prawn, springtail shrimp, fold crab and Chinese freshwater razor clam. There are many large muller aquatic farms along the river sections of Minan, Wulongjiang, Jiangzhong and Minjiang Nangang, the species density is very big. In addition, there is a large area of farmland, grassy marshes and sandbanks, where produce rich grains and fruits, so many varieties of fishes, shrimps and shellfishes, and insecticides and larva, which are very important natural feeds for migratory birds.

4.4.3.3.2 Plankton ad wetland migratory birds

Plankton includes phytoplankton and zooplankton that all belong to microorganism. A large variety and number of those microorganisms widely distribute in various water bodies. Although plankton is at the lowest level of the ecologic food chain, they are the most important energy suppliers, they directly or indirectly provide various water and land animals with food energy, including birds. They play a very important role in the natural water food chain.

According to the preliminary sampling survey of the plankton in the water made at the Minjiang estuary, there are 97 kinds of phytoplankton and 79 kinds of zooplankton. Phytoplankton includes algae, coscinodiscus, melosirq, synedrq, navicula and chlorella. Zooplankton includes springtails, green quick swimming insects, copepoda's nauplius, Chinese calanoida, water flea and rotifier, which are relatively big in amount in the waterbody. Those planktons provide rich feeds to various fishes, shrimps and shellfishes growing in this area, so those fishes, shrimps and shellfishes become a material foundation for various water birds and migratory birds that dwell and feed on the wetland at the Minjiang estuary.

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