Abstract:

Ecosystem management can help achieve diverse objectives in natural resources management.The paper believes that although Dongting Lake features a superior wetland ecosystem and advanced socioeconomic development in the region,it is also confronted with the challenge of balancing environmental protection and economic development.In terms of wetland ecosystem management,Dongting Lake faces many threats,including frequent occurrence of natural disasters,unwise use of resources,severe agricultural and industrial pollutions,poor ability in nature conservation,and seasonal water scarcity.All these problems,both old and new, reduce the ecosystem functions of the lakes,leading to decreased biodiversity,reduced capability of flood control,exacerbated floods and water logging,increased underground water level,and lowlying polders.The impact of these unsustainable human activities will persist,posing a major risk to the natural growth of aquaculture industry and to the safety of natural resources,and severely constraining the socioeconomic development in the lake area.For this reason,it is recommended that the lake area should,on the basis of following ecosystem approach,strengthen innovation and practice on ecosystem management system,and speed up the process of formulating and implementation regulations on wetland conservation.Great efforts should also be made to develop midandlongterm overall plan in Dongting Lake,and engage different stakeholders in further carrying out the projects such as returning cropland to lake,wise use of wetland resources,development of wetlandbased and floodadaptive industries,and environmental protection of the lake area,with an ultimate goal of achieving ‘harmonious development between human beings and nature’ in and around Dongting Lake