China's wetlands have shrinked nearly 9% since 2003 according to forestry officials. The country's food production, energy output and industrial activity are already under pressure from water shortages.
China has more than 1/5 of the world's population but only 6% of the world's freshwater resources. Parts of the country, especially in the north, face severe water distress.
The lost wetland areas have been converted to agricultural lands, swallowed by large infrastructure projects or degraded by climate change, the forestry administration said.
Water has emerged as a major issue in China. Its scarcity endangers economic growth and social stability, and China has set aside $660 billion for projects to boost supply this decade.
written by Nicolas Yang