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etland restoration and ecological engineering:nternational Conference of Wetland Restoration andcological Engineering

Hark, it’s the symphony of earthshaking change, on the riverbankof Yangtze3, in joyous celebration.

Presentations praising Prof. Chung were made by severalvisiting scientists. Bill Mitsch, The Ohio State University gave a

1 Xuanwu and Mochou are famous lakes in the middle of the city

. Introduction

etlands play an important role in nutrient cycling, sedi-ent accretion, pollution filtration, and erosion control in theorld. In addition, they are known for their distinctive florand rich spectrum of wildlife, especially waterfowl, whichakes them more valuable and more prone to human impact

han other ecosystems (Costanza et al., 1997; Mitsch andosselink, 2007). However, only a small percentage of theriginal wetlands remain around the world after over two cen-uries of intensive development and urbanization. With so

any wetlands lost, it seems that there are many opportu-ities for wetland restoration along coastal lines, rivers, lakes,tc. In the wetland restoration process, ecological engineer-ng is an important strategy to follow, as it is designed withatural components and strives to achieve balance betweenuman beings and nature. Many case studies have proven thatcological engineering obviously benefits the wetland restora-ion and promotes sustainable development for districts,ountries, even the world. For example, Spartina ecologicalngineering in China designed by Chung and Qin has gaineduch benefit and its ecological-economic value had been esti-ated at US$ 20,000/ha (Qin et al., 1997, 1998; Chung et al.,

004).Much saline land was deteriorated wetland for many for-

ation reasons and favorable to halophytes and salt-tolerantlants. The research on salt-tolerant plants and halophytes isery important, because these plants could be used for salinegriculture and biomass energy on saline land, and for over-oming the worldwide problem of food shortage and energyrisis. A new series of papers reflects the research in this fieldnd shows the potential of salt-tolerant plants and halophytesWang et al., 2008; Ruan et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2008).

In the context of the above-mentioned concerns, an Inter-

ational Conference of Wetland Restoration and Ecologicalngineering took place 29–31 May 2007, in Nanjing University,ocated in the center of the beautiful city of Nanjing near theamous Yangtze River in China. The theme of the Conference

was “Wetland restoration and ecological engineering,” andmore than 130 scholars attended (Fig. 1), with 106 oral presen-tations and 26 poster sessions under three major groupings: (1)the structure, function and its restoration of wetlands ecosys-tem; (2) the evaluation of ecosystem health and function inwetland; and the relationship of wetland conservation withdistrict economic development and industry; and (3) wetlandecological engineering; halophyte research and salt-tolerantmechanism.

A wonderful session held on the first morning of theconference celebrated the 100th birthday of famous Chineseecologist Dr. Chung-Hsin Chung (Fig. 2) who witnessed the ero-sion and deterioration process of coastal wetlands in Chinaand established Spartina ecological engineering in salt marshreclamation. On behalf of every attendee, the chairman ofthe Organizational Committee of the Conference, Professor PeiQin dedicated a poem and best wishes to the centenarian asfollows:

Purple Clouds set off the majestic Square Citadel, where Tigerscrouch and Dragons coil,

Xuanwu and Mochou1 Lakes foster the heavenly glory of sixdynasties, all within the Gates of Treasure and Jubilation,

And Qinhuai2 Wetland bears testimony to the love of this land,rain or shine, through all seasons,

of Nanjing.2 Qinhuai is the Mother River of Nanjing, with a long history and

cultural sedimentation.3 Yangtze is the Mother River of China and is well known in the

world.

438 e c o l o g i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g 3 5 ( 2 0 0 9 ) 437–441

ferenial g

Fig. 1 – Some of the attendees at the 2007 International ConNanjing, China. Photo was taken at Nanjing University. Spec

talk “Ecological Engineering of Wetlands: C.H. Chung’s Legacyand the Future of Wetland Restoration and Engineering.” Inthat presentation, Prof. Mitsch recalled 20 years of friendshipwith Prof. Chung (Fig. 3) as a pioneer in ecological engineeringand likened him to the “Energizer Bunny” in the U.S. bat-tery advertisement that says that the bunny “keeps going andgoing and going. . .”

2. Papers in this issue

The papers in this special issue explore basic theories, meth-ods, technologies in the field of wetland restoration andecological engineering, and introduce detailed case studiesin relative researches. The first paper in this issue, by Wanet al. (2009), studies the positive and negative effects ofSpartina alterniflora in China during 28 years, as an exotic saltmarsh plant introduced from America. This paper providesrich evidence and data to assess the features of this alienspecies. Its biomaterial uses and biological substitution asa means of ecological regulation are also discussed. Tam et

al. (2009) demonstrate that a series of computer-controlledmangrove tide-tanks planted with Kandelia candel was con-structed to investigate the removal and transformation ofammonium–nitrogen. The results show that the constructed

ce of Wetland Restoration and Ecological Engineering inuest Dr. C.-H. Chung is seated in the first row, 4th from left.

mangrove wetlands with short tidal regime had higher num-bers of nitrifiers and significantly lower content of ammoniumthan those with long tidal regime. On the other hand, higherpopulations of denitrifiers and lower nitrate were found inmangroves with long tidal regime and with glucose addition.Campbell et al. (2009) examine the role of exotic Spartina sp.in promoting the self-organization of coastal ecosystems formaximum empower on three coasts, Marlborough Sounds,NZ, Willapa Bay, WA, USA, and Jiangsu Province, PRC. Theyfound evidence to support the hypothesis that Spartina marshmaximizes empower through the building of new land incoastal environments that are dominated by an excess of sed-iment.

A group of papers focuses on the mangrove ecosystemand its use. Lee and Yeh (2009) applied different remote sens-ing techniques to monitor the shifting mangrove vegetationof Danshui River Estuary in Taipei in order to evaluate thestrategy of long-term wetland conservation for compromisingbetween a comprehensive wetland ecosystem managementand urban development. Lin et al. (2009a) reports that totalDNA of Rhizophora apoculata, a mangrove plant, was introduced

into Capsicum annuum cv via pollen tubes formed after self-pollination, and the transformed progenies showed obviouslystronger salt tolerance. Lin et al. (2009b) suggest the use oftraditional Chinese herbal medicine extraction methods to

e c o l o g i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g

Fig. 2 – Professor Chung-Hsin Chung [22 May 22 1908–2Mi

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rus during the degradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by fourbacteria species, and mention that the algae–bacteria relation-ship could be closely related to ecosystem management and

Fig. 3 – Professor C.-H. Chung (a) with Bill Mitsch at Nanjing

arch 2008] in the yard of his home in Nanjing Universityn 2002.

btain plant extracts for inhibition of barnacle larvae, andhese extraction methods offer manybenefits for mangroveeedling protection and environmental safety.

The next group of papers concentrates on the researchf Spartina. Li et al. (2009a) indicate that in the Yangtzeiver Estuary, S. alterniflora had great competitive effects onative species, including Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites aus-

ralis. The decline of S. mariqueter abundance might eventuallyffect shorebird communities in several ways. Zhou et al.2009a) mentions the impacts of Spartina alterniflora on the

acrobenthos community of the North Jiangsu salt marsh.he macrobenthos biodiversity in the salt marsh decreased,nd the community structure altered obviously, whereas theiomass showed no differences in different seasons. Shuangt al. (2009) did research on the bacterial phylogenetic diversi-ies in the salt marsh colonized by S. alterniflora and uncultured

arsh with 16S rDNA PCR techniques. The results indicatehat the bacterial diversity in the salt marsh of the Yellowea of China was greatly changed after Spartina coloniza-ion. Zhou et al. (2009b) compare sulfur storage of sedimentsnd plant tissues among the exotic S. alterniflora marsh anddjacent native Suaeda salsa, Phragmites australis marsh. Theesults show that the S. alterniflora marsh contained the high-st contents of water-soluble, adsorbed, carbonate-occludednd total sulfur in the sediment and benefited their expan-

ion of the monospecific vegetation in the salt marsh. Li etl. (2009b) conducted both field and greenhouse experimentso determine the possible role of density in the dieback ofpartina anglica in China. The results imply that density regu-

3 5 ( 2 0 0 9 ) 437–441 439

lation had a great effect on each of the parameters, becausethe species survived at high density along the Chinese coast,and had a much lower growth rate due to strong intraspecificcompetition.

The next group of papers present the investigations andresearch of the current status of critical wetlands in China,and relative techniques of ecological restoration. Xiang etal. (2009) introduced Zoige Marsh, located in the Northeast-ern Qianghai-Tibet Plateau, the largest highland marsh inthe world, harboring many endemic and endangered species,including Grus nigricollis, the only plateau crane; it is alsothe major water source to the headstreams of the Yel-low River. Since the 1970s, Zoige Marsh has suffered severeecosystem degradation, and as a result the ecological engi-neering and livestock population control must be taken asmeasures for ecological restoration and biodiversity protec-tion. Zhang et al. (2009) introduces Hengshuihu Wetland, thefirst National Wetland Natural Reserve in Northern ChinaPlain with high biodiversity, determining the pollution andenrichment dynamics of heavy metals in the lake, and alsoanalyzing the associated mechanism. He et al. (2009) presenttheir research on the dynamics of water-extractable phospho-

University in 1987; and (b) second from left with RuthmarieMitsch while attending the INTECOL 3rd WetlandsConference in Columbus Ohio in 1992. On the right side ofthe picture are Yan Jingsong, Jane Mitsch, and Brij Gopal.

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water quality improvement. Guan et al. (2009) indicate thateutrophication of freshwater shallow lakes is a severe prob-lem all over the world and phosphorus is one of the mainnutrients associated with accelerated eutrophication of lakesand streams. This paper mentions that the constructed wet-land techniques provide a choice for removing phosphorusfrom the wastewater. Wang et al. (2009) present an approachof building up a mosaic community of macrophytes (MCM)to improve water quality and remediate the ecosystems oflakes; the constructed MCM created heterogeneous habitatsfavorable for different macrophytes and for the growth andsuccession of other organisms, as well as for removing waterpollutants.

The final group of papers concerns the research on salt-tolerant plants and organic rice fertilization management. Zaiet al. (2009) studied a salt-tolerant plant, beach plum, oneof the major tool species for ecological restoration in salineland and relative techniques for cloning adequate seedlingsin a timely fashion and ways to improve the survival rateof transplantation. Yan et al. (2009) studied rapid microprop-agation of beach plum from nodal segments treated withelectromagnetic fields. The results show that the optimiza-tion of the culture medium and treatment of explants witha certain magnetic field strength could increase the numberof regeneration sprouts and growth. Xi et al. (2009) studiedthe characteristics and its application of organic rice for veri-fication of the optimal fertilization decision-making model ofrice cultivation computer-simulated optimal decision-makingsystem (RCSODS), which proved the potential for organic foodproduction.

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the significant contribution by all mem-bers, including students, of Halophyte Research Lab, NanjingUniversity, in the organization of the 2007 International Con-ference of Wetland Restoration and Ecological Engineering.We also appreciate the financial support provided for theconference by NSFC, 11.5 National Key Technology R&D Pro-gram (2006BAD09A04; 2006BAD09A08), Nanjing University,Jiangsu Academy of Forestry, Nanjing Normal University, Nan-jing Forestry University, Nanjing Agriculture University, StateKey Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse,Nanjing University, Ministry of Education Key Laboratoryfor Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, FudanUniversity and Institute Biotechnology, Nanjing University.Ruthmarie Mitsch, managing editor of Ecological Engineering,spent many hours editing the manuscripts in this specialissue.

e f e r e n c e s

Campbell, D.E., Lu, H., Knox, G.A., Odum, H.T., 2009. Maximizing

empower on a human-dominated planet: the role of exoticSpartina. Ecol. Eng. 35, 463–486.

Chung, C.H., Zhuo, R.Z., Xu, G.W., 2004. Creation of Spartinaplantations for reclaiming Dongtai, China, tidal flats andoffshore sands. Ecol. Eng. 23, 135–150.

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Costanza, R., et al., 1997. The value of the world’s ecosystemservices and natural capital. Nature 387, 253–260.

Guan, B., Yao, X., Jiang, J., Tian, Z., An, S., Gu, B., Cai, Y., 2009.Phosphorus removal ability of three inexpensive substrates:physicochemical properties and application. Ecol. Eng. 35,576–581.

He, X., Ren, L., Lin, Y., Tian, X., Zhang, P., Li, X., Han, G., Huang, F.,2009. Dynamics of water-extractable phosphorus during thedegradation of Microcystis aeruginosa by four bacteria species.Ecol. Eng. 35, 570–575.

Lee, T., Yeh, H., 2009. Applying remote sensing techniques tomonitor shifting wetland vegetation: a case study of DanshuiRiver Estuary mangrove communities. Taiwan. Ecol. Eng. 35,487–496.

Li, B., Liao, C., Zhang, X., Chen, H., Wang, Q., Chen, Z., Gan, X.,Wu, J., Zhao, B., Ma, Z., Cheng, X., Jiang, L., Chen, J., 2009a.Spartina alterniflora invasions in the Yangtze River estuary,China: an overview of current status and ecosystem effects.Ecol. Eng. 35, 511–520.

Li, H., Zhi, Y., An, S., Zhao, L., Zhou, C., Deng, Z., Gu, S., 2009b.Density-dependent effects on the dieback of exotic speciesSpartina anglica in coastal China. Ecol. Eng. 35, 544–552.

Lin, Q., Deng, Y., Li, G., Zhu, J., Huang, X., 2009a. Salt tolerance ofCapsicum annuum introduced total DNA from Rhizophoraapoculata. Ecol. Eng. 35, 497–501.

Lin, X., Lu, C., Ye, Y., 2009b. Toxicity of crude extracts from severalterrestrial plants to barnacle. Ecol. Eng. 35, 502–510.

Mitsch, W.J., Gosselink, J.G., 2007. Wetlands, 4th ed. John Wiley,Inc, New York.

Qin, P., Xie, M., Jiang, Y., Chung, C., 1997. Estimation of theecological-economic benefits of two Spartina alternifloraplantations in North Jiangsu. China. Ecol. Eng. 8, 5–17.

Qin, P., Xie, M., Jiang, Y., 1998. Spartina green food ecologicalengineering. Ecol. Eng. 11, 147–156.

Ruan, C., Li, H., Guo, Y., Qin, P., Gallagherc, J.L., Seliskarc, D.M.,2008. Kosteletzkya virginica, an agroecoengineering halophyticspecies for alternative agricultural production in China’s eastcoast: ecological adaptation and benefits, seed yield, oilcontent, fatty acid and biodiesel properties. Ecol. Eng. 32,320–328.

Shuang, J., An, S., Zhang, X., Xue, Y., Yao, S., Liu, C., 2009. Bacterialphylogenetic diversity in a Spartina marsh in China. Ecol. Eng.35, 529–535.

Tam, N.F.Y., Wong, A.H.Y., Wong, M.H., Wong, Y.S., 2009. Massbalance of nitrogen in constructed mangrove wetlandsreceiving ammonium-rich wastewater: effects of tidal regimeand carbon supply. Ecol. Eng. 35, 453–462.

Wan, S., Qin, P., Liu, J., Zhou, H., 2009. The positive and negativeeffects of exotic Spartina alterniflora in China. Ecol. Eng. 35,444–452.

Wang, G., Qin, P., Wan, S., Zhou, W., Zai, X., Yan, D., 2008.Ecological control and integral utilization of Spartinaalterniflora. Ecol. Eng. 32, 249–255.

Wang, G., Zhang, L., Chua, H., Li, X., Xia, M., Pu, P., 2009. A mosaiccommunity of macrophytes for the ecological remediation ofeutrophic shallow lakes. Ecol Eng. 35, 582–590.

Xi, Y., Qin, P., Ding, G., Fan, W., Han, C., 2009. The application andanalysis of rice-growth model for organic rice fertilizationmanagement. Ecol. Eng. 35, 602–608.

Xiang, S., Guo, R., Wu, N., Sun, S., 2009. Current status and futureprospect of Zoige Marsh in Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.Ecol. Eng. 35, 553–562.

Yan, D., Guo, Y., Zai, X., Wan, S., Qin, P., 2009. Effects of

electromagnetic fields exposure on rapid micropropagation ofbeach plum (Prunus maritima). Ecol. Eng. 35, 597–601.

Zai, X., Qin, P., Wan, S., Zhao, F., Wang, G., Yan, D., 2009. Theapplication of beach plum (Prunus maritima) to wasteland

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vegetation recovery in Jiangsu Province, China: seedlingcloning and transplantation. Ecol. Eng. 35, 591–596.

hang, J., Yao, G., Qin, P., 2008. Absorption and distribution of Na,K and chlorophyll fluorescence in castor under salt stress.Agric. Sci. Technol. 9, 17–C24 (in Chinese).

hang, M., Cui, L., Sheng, L., Wang, Y., 2009. Distribution andenrichment of heavy metals among sediments, water bodyand plants in Hengshuihu Wetland of Northern China. Ecol.Eng. 35, 563–569.

hou, H., Liu, J., Qin, P., 2009a. Impacts of an alien species(Spartina alterniflora) on the macrobenthos community ofJiangsu coastal inter-tidal ecosystem. Ecol. Eng. 35, 521–

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hou, C., An, S., Deng, Z., Yin, D., Zhi, Y., Sun, Z., Zhao, H., Zhou,L., Fang, C., Qian, C., 2009b. Sulfur storage changed by exoticSpartina alterniflora in coastal saltmarshes of China. Ecol. Eng.35, 536–543.

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Pei Qin ∗

Halophyte Research Lab, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093,China

William J. MitschWilma H Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park,School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State

University, Columbus, OH 43202, USA∗ Corresponding author.

E-mail addresses: qinpei@nju.edu.cn,qinpei@hrlab.org (P. Qin)

0925-8574/$ – see front matter© 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.001