Latest comments posted about China’s evaporating wetlands on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2346-China-s-evaporating-wetlands http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/2346-China-s-evaporating-wetlands Comment 5 is truly funny, why was there less water flowing from the upper reaches in 2006? You must know, because precipitation in the Yangtze River basin is very low in winter, the water reservoirs in the Yangtze's upper reaches only store water for generating electricity, there is no output. I am not sure that the reservoir of the upper reaches of the Yangtze Rivera main is a main reason for the drop in the water level of the Poyang Lake, but at least it is one of the reasons. (Translated by David Vance Wagner) Sun, 15 Mar 2009 09:01:08 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-8534 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-8534 The shrinking of Poyang Lake is the truth. However,the main reason (or you can say,the whole reason) is to do with the water level of the upper reaches of Yangtze River. How much water comes from the upper reaches? We cannot only attribute that to human activities. I don't quite understand the connection between the contribution of the Three Gorges dam and the drop of river water levels, which is suggested by Mr. Jiang in this article. Firstly, that would only happen when the reservoir is about to store water. As soon as the water in the reservior reaches the required level, normally,the water level will be the same for the upper and lower reaches.In that case, a drop in water level won't happen. Secondly,the capacity of the reservoir should not be a big issue in comparison with the volume of water coming down from the upper reaches. I also question Mr.Jiang's description of the Xiaolangdi reservoir. The purpose of its contribution is to improve water and soil condition. As is known, the sediment problem of Yellow River is quite severe. It is threatening the river and residents' life and production. The beautiful wetland mentioned by Mr.Jiang will turn to hell for people living along Yellow River when it floods. This comment was translated by Si Meng Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:41:21 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7822 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7822 I didn't deny the crisis of vanishing wetlands in China. However, in this article, it is quite misleading that the way the author described Poyang Lake. This example, to some extent, is unproper and ulterior-motived so that the effect is remarkable.(The figure 4000-50,everyone is shocked!) In fact, the problem in such a small water area cannot be regarded as a crisis mentioned by the author, not even a problem at all. In 2006, this situation is caused by the less current from upper reaches of Changjiang River. Poyang Lake supplied numerously to Changjiang River and its waterline declined rapidly; while in 1998, it was the opposite situation. Because of the abundent current from upper reaches of Changjiang River, Poyang Lake received a lot of water so that its water area had increased by 5000 sq.km. Using such unproper emample first would devaluate the article. Also the author's knowledge of specific field would be questioned. Take one example of the article, the joke of name Chao Lake of Zhujiang River, I believe that no one would like to read it in an environmental article. This comment was translated by Stacy Xu. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:56:01 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7820 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7820 Thanks for reminding me of the questions above. And according to the status of environment department website(English Version), waterline of rainless period is 300-500 sq.km. However, evaporating wetlands of Poyang Lake is still a problem. Jiang Gaoming This comment was translated by Stacy Xu. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:29:32 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7819 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7819 I agree that the comment is misleading, because the Poyang Lake’s water levels are supposed to rise and fall, and that is not mentioned in the article. Still, despite these flaws, the article has merit. We need to worry about Lake Poyang because the lake levels are lower than normal. Tan Guoliang, director of the Hydrological Bureau in the Jiangxi Province, reported that the water surface was 300 to 500 square kilometers last winter. (see http://tinyurl.com/6pq2bo) Therefore, it would be silly to expect the lake to be 4000 sq km in winter. But 50 sq km is still too small. --Crystal Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:20:44 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7815 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7815 It is a bare fact that we are losing the wetlands, many people have already realized this problem. Now the important thing is how to protect them during the survival and developemt of the mankind. To develop all kinds of industries is the main path to improve the economy of provinces, counties and cities. If we don't have the power of economy, protecting the wetlands is just an empty talk. May I ask what do you think of this, Mr. Jiang? This comment was translated by Lijin Zeng Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:50:37 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7810 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7810 The comment on Lake Poyang is misleading. Poyang Lake’s water levels naturally rise and fall every year. They are not steady at all. It is a mistake to say that the lake shrank from 1400 sq km to 50 sq km; it is unscientific. The lake has passed the period when its surface area is 1400 sq km. Now it is time for the dry period, when it is 50 sq km. diovedo (Comment translated by Michelle Deeter) Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:23:37 +0000 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7813 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/2346#comment-7813