Restoration or Rehabilitation of the Faleme River Affected by Mining Activities: What Methods?

The Faleme River, a West Africa long transboundary stream (625 km) and abundant flow (>1100 million m3) is affected by severe erosion because of mining activities that takes place throughout the riverbed. To preserve this important watercourse and ensure the sustainability of its services, selecting and implementing appropriates restorations techniques is vital. In this context, the purpose of this paper was to present an overview of the actions and techniques that can be implemented for the restoration/rehabilitation of the Faleme. The methodological approach includes field investigation, water sampling, literature review with cases studies and SWOT analysis of the four methods presented: river dredging, constructed wetlands, floating treatment wetlands and chemical precipitation (coagulation and flocculation). The study confirmed the pollution of the river by suspended solids (TSS > 1100 mg/L) and heavy metals such as iron, zinc, aluminium, and arsenic. For the restoration methods, it was illustrated through description of their mode of operation and through some case studies presented, that all the four methods have proven their effectiveness in treating rivers but have differences in their costs, their sustainability (detrimental to living organisms or causing a second pollution) and social acceptance. They also have weaknesses and issues that must be addressed to ensure success of rehabilitation. For the case of the Faleme river, after analysis, floating treatment wetlands are highly recommended for their low cost, good removal efficiency if the vulnerability of the raft and buoyancy to strong waves and flow is under control.

Causes of Wetland Degradation and Ecological Restoration in the Yellow River Delta Region

Yellow River delta （YRD） is one of the biggest deltas that there is a large area of wetland in the world. Thanks to soil （sands） sediment carried by the Yellow River, there was averagely the newly formed land 21.3 km^2 in YRD. During the development of petroleum industry and urban expansion, wetlands were degraded due to population growth, irrational land use, in addition to adverse natural eco-environment such as lower precipitation, higher soil evaporation and soil salinazation. The major ecological measures to restore degraded wetland concerned with ensuring water supply, especially establishing perfect irrigation works; protecting virgin plant communities and assisting them to regenerate by the way of site preparation, improving living surroundings; introducing salt-tolerant plants to increase vegetation species and plant coverage, thereby enhancing the capability of wetland to combat contamination and pollution through plant remediation, uptake, absorption, etc. Finally making a comprehensive land use plan, accordingly removing deleterious facilities.

Alpine wetlands in the Lhasa River Basin, China

The Lhasa River Basin is one of the typical distribution regions of alpine wetlands on the Tibetan Plateau. It is very important to get a better understanding of the background and characteristics of alpine wetland for monitoring, protection and utilization. Wetland construction and distribution in the basin were analyzed based on multi-source data including field investigation data, CBERS remote sensing data and other thematic data provided by 3S technology. The results are （1） the total area of wetlands is 209,322.26 hm^2, accounting for 6.37% of the total land area of the basin. The wetlands are mainly dominated by natural wetland, with artificial wetland occupying only 1.09% of the wetland area; marsh wetland is the principal part of natural wetland, dominated by Kobresia littledalei swampy meadow which is distributed in the river source area and upstream of Chali, Damshung and Medro Gongkar counties. The ratio and type of wetlands in different counties differ significantly, which are widely distributed in Chali and Damshung counties （accounting for 62% of the total wetland area）. （2） The concentrated vertical distribution of wetlands is at an elevation of 3600-5100 m The wetlands are widely distributed throughout the Yarlung Zangbo River Valley from river source to river mouth into the Yarlung Zangbo River. Marsh wetland is dominant in the source area and upstream of the river, with the mosaic distribution of lakes, Kobresia litUedalei and Carex moorcroftii swampy meadow, shrubby swamp and river; as for the middle-down streams, the primary types are river wetland and flooded wetland. The distribution is in a mosaic pattern of river, Kobresia humilis and Carex moorcroftii swampy meadow, Phragmites australis and subordinate grass marsh, flooded wetland and artificial wetland.

Eco-compensation of Wetlands in Yellow River Delta of Shandong Province,China

Wetlands play an important ecological role and provide many functions for people,yet wetlands are cur-rently decreasing and deteriorating.The ability to calculate an economic value for the loss of wetlands is becoming in-creasingly important for policy makers.In this study,remote sensing,field investigations,department visits,and other methods were used to survey wetland types,assess wetland area changes,and calculate wetland economic value.Mar-ket value loss and ecological function value loss,caused by reduction of wetland area and environmental pollution were calculated using commonly accepted methods of market valuation,ecological valuation,environmental protection investment cost analysis,and outcome parameters.According to market value loss and ecological function value loss,preliminarily fund allocation for wetland and ecological compensation was calculated.This will provide an important reference for future Yellow River Delta eco-compensation studies.

Treatment Efficiencies of Constructed Wetlands for Eutrophic Landscape River Water

The efficiencies of two types of constructed wetlands for the treatment of low-concentration polluted eutrophic land- scape river water were studied in the western section of the Qingyuan River at the Minhang campus of Shanghai Jiaotong University.The first wetland was a single-stage system using gravel as a filtration medium,and the second was a three- stage system filled with combinations of gravel,zeolite,and fly ash.Results from parallel operations of the wetlands showed that the three-stage constructed wetland could remove organics,nitrogen, and phosphorus successfully.At the same time,it could also decrease ammoniacal odour in the effluent.Compared to the single-stage constructed wetland,it had better nutrient removal efficiencies with a higher removal of 19.37%-65.27% for total phosphorus (TP) and 21.56%- 62.94% for total nitrogen (TN),respectively,during the operation period of 14 weeks.In terms of removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity,and blue-green algae,these two wetland systems had equivalent performances.It was also found that in the western section of the test river,in which the two constructed wetlands were located, the water quality was much better than that in the eastern and middle sections without constructed wetland because COD,TN, and TP were all in a relatively lower level and the eutrophication could be prevented completely in the western section.

Dynamic Changes in the Wetland Landscape Pattern of the Yellow River Delta from 1976 to 2016 Based on Satellite Data

The Yellow River Delta wetland is the youngest wetland ecosystem in China's warm temperate zone. To better understand how its landscape pattern has changed over time and the underlying factors responsible, this study analyzed the dynamic changes of wetlands using five Landsat series of images, namely MSS(Mulri Spectral Scanner), TM(Thematic Mapper), and OLI(Operational Land Imager) sensors in 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016. Object-oriented classification and the combination of spatial and spectral features and both the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index(NDWI), as well as brightness characteristic indices, were used to classify the images in eCognition software. Landscape pattern changes in the Yellow River Delta over the past 40 years were then delineated using transition matrix and landscape index methods. Results show that: 1) from1976 to 2016, the total area of wetlands in the study area decreased from 2594.76 to 2491.79 km^2, while that of natural wetlands decreased by 954.03 km^2 whereas human-made wetlands increased by 851.06 km^2. 2) The transformation of natural wetlands was extensive: 31.34% of those covered by Suaeda heteropteras were transformed into reservoirs and ponds, and 24.71% with Phragmites australis coverage were transformed into dry farmland. Some human-made wetlands were transformed into non-wetlands types: 1.55% of reservoirs and ponds became construction land, and likewise 21.27% were transformed into dry farmland. 3) From 1976 to 2016, as the intensity of human activities increased, the number of landscape types in the study area continuously increased. Patches were scattered and more fragmented. The whole landscape became more complex. In short, over the past 40 years, the wetlands of the Yellow River Delta have been degraded, with the area of natural wetlands substantially reduced. Human activities were the dominant forces driving these changes in the Yellow River Delta.

Nitrogen Biological Cycle Characteristics of Seepweed(Suaeda salsa) Wetland in Intertidal Zone of Huanghe(Yellow) River Estuary

From April 2008 to November 2009,the nitrogen(N) cycle of plantsoil system in seepweed(Suaeda salsa) wetland in the intertidal zone of the Huanghe(Yellow) River estuary was studied.Results showed that soil N had sig-nificant seasonal fluctuations and vertical distribution,and the net N mineralization rates in topsoil were significantly different in growing season(p < 0.01).The N/P ratio(9.87 ± 1.23) of S.salsa was less than 14,indicating that plant growth was limited by N.The N accumulated in S.salsa litter at all times during decomposition,which was ascribed to the N immobilization by microbes from the environment.Soil organic N was the main N stock of plant-soil system,accounting for 97.35% of the total N stock.The N absorption and utilization coefficients of S.salsa were very low(0.0145 and 0.3844,respectively),while the N cycle coefficient was high(0.7108).The results of the N turnovers among compartments of S.salsa wetland showed that the N uptake amount of aboveground part and root were 7.764 g/m2and 4.332 g/m2,respectively.The N translocation amounts from aboveground part to root and from root to soil were 3.881 g/m2 and 0.626 g/m2,respectively.The N translocation amount from aboveground living body to litter was 3.883 g/m2,the annual N return amount from litter to soil was more than 0.125(-) g/m2(minus represented immobilization),and the net N mineralization amount in topsoil(0-15 cm) in growing season was 1.190 g/m2.The assessment of N biological cycle status of S.salsa wetland indicated that N was a very important limiting factor and the ecosystem was situated in unstable and vulnerable status.The S.salsa was seemingly well adapted to the low-nutrient status and vulnerable habitat,and the N quantitative relationships determined in the compartment model might provide scientific base for us to reveal the special adaptive strategy of S.salsa to the vulnerable habitat in the following studies.

Wetland bacteria isolated from Huangpu River-Yangtze River estuary and its degradation on diesel

Oil contaminated soil was collected from Huangpu River-Yangtze River estuary wetland, with the aim of isolating oil-degrading microorganisms and evaluating their ability to degrade diesel. Three bacterial strains were discovered and identified by sequencing their 16S rDNA genes, two were Pseudomonas and one was Alcaligcnes. The proper growth conditions of each bacterium were measured and presented for diesel biodegradation. Biodegradation assays revealed that the degradation rates of three bacterial strains were 42.5%, 14.6% and 15.9% in 7 d respectively. They all play an important role on the nalkanes within the range of C16-C25 components of diesel. The results indicated that the oil-degraders can adapt to degrade diesel. The bacterial strains can be used in wetland diesel pollution control.

Changes of Coastal Wetland Ecosystems in the Yellow River Delta and Protection Countermeasures to Them

Coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta are typical new wetland ecosystems in warm temperate zone. In recent years, influenced by natural and human factors, these coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta have undergone changes of landscape fragmentation, vegetation degradation, pollution, species reduction, and harmful exotic species invasion. These changes have influenced sustainable and healthy development of marine economy of the Yellow River Delta. To protect natural ecological environment of the Yellow River Delta, the authors recommended that it should establish and improve policies, laws and regulations of wetland protection; carry out wetland resource investigation and assessment and monitoring; strengthen comprehensive protection and control of wetland; reduce wetland degradation and promote sustainable use of wetland.

Study on Building and Modeling of Virtual Data of Xiaosha River Artificial Wetland

From the viewpoint of systems science, this article takes Xiaosha River artificial wetland under planning and construction as object of study based on the systems theory and takes the accomplished and running project of Xinxuehe artificial wetland as reference. The virtual data of quantity and quality of inflow and the quality of outflow of Xiaosha River artificial wetland are built up according to the running experience, forecasting model and theoretical method of the reference project as well as the comparison analysis of the similarity and difference of the two example projects. The virtual data are used to study the building of forecasting model of BP neural network of Xiaosha River artificial wetland.

Investigation on Water Pollution of Four Rivers in Coastal Wetland of Yellow River Estuary

[Objective] The study aimed at analysing water pollution of four rivers in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary. [Method] Taking four seriously polluted rivers (Guangli River, Shenxian Ditch, Tiao River and Chao River) in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary as study objects, water samples were collected from the four rivers in May (dry period), August (wet period) and November (normal period) in 2009 and 2010 respectively, then pollution indices like nutritive salts, COD, chlorophyll-a, petroleum, etc. were measured. Afterwards, the status quo of water pollution was assessed based on Nemero index and comprehensive trophic level index (TLI), so as to find out the integral status quo of water quality of wetland rivers and damages to aquatic ecological environment. [Result] On the whole, water pollution of four rivers in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary was serious, in the eutrophication state, and the main pollutants were TN, TP, NH+4-N and petroleum. In addition, excessive N and P in the four rivers resulted in water eutrophication of Bohai Bay, so further leading to ride tide, which destroyed the coastal ecological environment of Bohai Sea. Moreover, compared with historical data, water pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus became more serious, while there was no obvious aggravation in the water pollution by petroleum. In a word, water pollution wasn’t optimistic on the whole. [Conclusion] The research could provide theoretical bases for the protection and utilization of river water in coastal wetland of Yellow River estuary and its coastal sea area.

Stable Carbon Isotope and Long-Chain Alkane Compositions of the Major Plants and Sediment Organic Matter in the Yellow River Estuarine Wetlands

Elemental(TOC,TN,C/N)and stable carbon isotopic(δ^13C)compositions and long-chain alkane(n C16-38)concentrations were measured for eight major plants and a sediment core collected from the Yellow River estuarine wetlands.Our results indicate that both C3(-25.4‰to-29.6‰)and C4(-14.2‰to-15.0‰)plants are growing in the wetlands and C3 plants are the predominant species.The biomass of the wetland plants had similar organic carbon(35.5-45.8%)but very different organic nitrogen(0.35-4.15%)contents.Both C3 and C4 plants all contained long-chain alkanes with strong odd-to-even carbon numbered chain predominance.Phragmites australis,a dominant C3 plant contained mainly n C29 and n C31 homologues.Aeluropus littoralis,an abundant C4 plant were concentrated with n C27 and n C29 homologues.Organic matter preserved in the Yellow River estuarine sediments showed strong terrestrial signals(C/N=11-16,δ^13C=-22.0‰to-24.3‰).The distribution of long-chain n-alkanes in sediments also showed strong odd-to-even carbon chain predominance with n C29 and n C31 being the most abundant homologues.These results suggest that organic matter preserved in the Yellow River estuarine sediments were influenced by the wetland-derived organic matter,mainly C3 plants.The Yellow River estuarine wetland plants could play important role affecting both the carbon and nutrient cycling in the estuary and adjacent coastal waters.

STUDY ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF WETLAND RESOURCES IN THE USSURI /WUSULI RIVER BASIN

The Ussuri/Wusuli River basin joins the border between the Northeast region of Heilongjiang Province of China and the Far East region of Russia. The watershed consists of approximately 26 000 000 ha and the shared border stretches more than 1100 km. The Ussuri River forms part of the border between Russia and China. Two thirds of the watershed ecosystem is in Russia, one third in China. Khanka / Xingkai Lake is the border Lake of Russia and China, with the area of 4380 km2. The Ussuri / Wusuli River Basin is rich in wetland resources, including surface water resources and wetlands. There are about more than 100 rivers belonging to one and two branch rivers, wetlands are mainly distributed in the Sanjiang Plain in China, which is the largest marsh area in China, with an area of 114 million ha. Human activities and agriculture reclamation for many years have led to many environment problems: 1)decreasing of wetland area led to loss of wetland environment functions, decreasing of biodiversity and increasing the number of natural disasters such as disastrous drought and waterlogging, which affect directly sustainable utilization of resources and economical development. 2) water supply is not evenly distributed, water pollution in rivers, marshes and lakes are more serious than before. Based on above study, some suggests of sustainable development in the basin have been made, which include: 1) developing the international wetland natural reserve and domestic comprehensive protected area to prevent wetlands from destruction and disturbance by human activities, 2) strengthening the protection and management of wetlands in lake shorelines and riparian zones (rivers and streams) to prevent water quality of rivers and lakes from pollution, 3) restoring the destroyed marsh in riparian zones and the  island like forests" of wetlands 4) developing positively transnational ecological tourist trade to promote the economic development in the river basin scope, 5) developing international cooperation research to promote sustainable utilization and protection of wetland resources.

Effects of Reclamation on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Coastal Wetlands of Liaohe River Delta,China

To evaluate the influence of wetland reclamation on vertical distribution of carbon and nitrogen in coastal wetland soils, we measured the soil organic carbon(SOC), soil total nitrogen(STN) and selected soil properties at five sampling plots(reed marsh, paddy field, corn field, forest land and oil-polluted wetland) in the Liaohe River estuary in September 2013. The results showed that reclamation significantly changed the contents of SOC and STN in the Liaohe River estuary(P < 0.001). The SOC concentrations were in the order: oil-polluted wetland > corn field > paddy field > forest land > reed marsh, with mean values of 52.17, 13.14, 11.46, 6.44 and 6.16 g/kg, respectively. STN followed a similar order as SOC, with mean values of 1351.14, 741.04, 632.32, 496.17 and 390.90 mg/kg, respectively. Interaction of reclamation types and soil depth had significant effects on SOC and STN, while soil depth had significant effects on SOC, but not on STN. The contents of SOC and STN were negatively correlated with pH and redox potential(Eh) in reed marsh and corn field, while the SOC and STN in paddy field had positive correlations with electrical conductivity(EC). Dissolved organic carbon(DOC), ammonium nitrogen(NH_4^+-N) and nitrate nitrogen(NO_3~–-N) were also significantly changed by human activities. NH_4^+-N and NO_3~–-N increased to different degrees, and forest land had the highest NO_3~–-N concentration and lowest DOC concentration, which could have been caused by differences in soil aeration and fertilization. Overall, the results indicate that reed harvest increased soil carbon and nitrogen release in the Liaohe River Estuary, while oil pollution significantly increased the SOC and STN; however, these cannot be used as indicators of soil fertility and quality because of the serious oil pollution.

EVAPOTRANSPIRATION OF LOW-LYING PRAIRIE WETLAND IN MIDDLE REACHES OF HEIHE RIVER IN NORTHWEST CHINA

Low-lying prairie wetland, which has characteristics of both grassland and wetland, has irreplaceable ecological functions in inland river basins of Northwest China. Owing to its small-scale distribution, so far, the observation and research on it are rare. The estimation of evapotranspiration is significant to ecological and environmental construction, scientific management of pasture and protection of wetland. For studying the evapotranspiration (ET) of low-lying prairie wetland in the middle reaches of the Heihe River, an inland river, in Northwest China, the automatic weather station in Linze Ecological Experimental Station of Lanzhou University (39°15′3″N, 100°03′52″E), Linze, Gansu Province, was selected as a case study. Based on meteorological data collected, Bowen-Ratio Energy Balance (BREB) method was used to calculate the evapotranspiration (ET) of low-lying prairie wetland. The analysis results showed that in a whole year (September 2003 - August 2004), the total ET was 611.5mm and mean daily 1.67mm/d. The ET varied with different growing stages. In non-growing stage (NGS), initial growing stage (IGS), middle growing stage (MGS) and end growing stage (EGS), the ET was 0.57, 2.01, 3.82 and 1.49mm/d, with a percentage of total ET of 18.26%, 9.20%, 61.83% and 10.71% respectively. In March, ET began to increase. But in April, the ET increased most. After that, it increased gradually and got the maximal value in July. From then on, the ET decreased gradually. In September, the ET decreased rapidly. With the ending of growing and the freezing of soil, the ET stopped from the middle of November to February in next year. Hourly ET analysis showed that at 8:00 a.m. (during MGS at 7:00 a.m.), the evapotranspiration began, at 13:00 p.m. got its maximal value and at 19:00 p.m. (during MGS at 20:00 p.m.), the evapotranspiration stopped. The intensity of ET in sunny day was much larger than that in cloudy day in the same growing stage.

Efficiency and mechanism of pretreatment on water supply in reservoirs of Yellow River by subsurface constructed wetlands

In order to improve the source water quality of drinking water and mitigate the load of drinking water treatment plant,a pilot test was conducted with integrated horizontal flow constructed wetlands to pretreat the water supply in the reservoirs of Yellow River.Results show that under the hydraulic loading rate of 4 m3/(m2·d),the average removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD),total nitrogen (TN),ammonium nitrogen(NH4+-N),nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N),nitrite-nitrogen (NO2--N) and total phosphorus (TP) in the horizontal flow constructed wetlands are 49.68%,53.01%,48.48%,53.61%,62.57% and 49.56%,respectively.The study on purifying mechanism of the constructed wetlands indicates that the disposal of contamination by subsurface wetlands is the combined actions of physical chemistry,plants and microorganism.

Influence of Wetland Self-purification Capacity on the Utilization of Water Resources——A Case Study of the Project for Recycling Yanshan River Water

[ Objective] The study aims to resolve water resource problem availably. [ Method] On the basis of wetland self-purification capacity, Yanshan River water was purified by Xixi Wetland, and the feasibility of using treated Yanshan River water for urban greening and watering road was analyzed. [Result] Compared with direct utilization of tap water, it is more economic to recycle Yanshan River water purified by Xixi Wetland for urban greening and watering read, with obvious economic, ecological and social benefits, so it is an effective method to address shortage of water resources and is worth spreading. [ Conclusion] It is feasible to use Yanshan River water purified by Xixi Wetland for urban greening and watering read.

Purification Effect of Constructed Wetlands for Treating River Water Flowing from Phosphate Mine Areas into Fuxian Lake

[ Objective] The study aimed at discussing the purification effect of constructed wetlands for treating river water flowing from phosphate mine areas into Fuxian Lake. [Method] The running parameters of the constructed wetlands were investigated for one year, and the purification effect of the constructed wetlands for treating the sewage from phosphate mine areas was analyzed. [Result] With the aid of the constructed wet- land, the average removal rates of total nitrogen （TN）, total phosphorus （TP） and CODcr were 52%, 32% and 54%, and the removal effects were best when the designed hydraulic load was 0.67 m3/（ m2 · d）. Running stably for six years, the constructed wetlands had advantages of no power, low resistance and high removal rate. [ Conclusion] The constructed wetlands reduced the load of pollutants from phosphate mine areas into Fuxian Lake effectivelv, which Dlaved important roles in the Drotection of water aualitv of Fuxian Lake.

拉萨河下游湿地土壤养分特征与肥力评价

[目的]为探索拉萨河下游湿地土壤的养分特征和肥力状况。[方法]选取甘曲湿地、巴嘎雪湿地、拉鲁湿地和茶巴朗湿地4个代表性区域的土壤为研究对象,共采集69份土壤样本,测定样品的pH、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、总钾(TK)、全盐、电导率、氧化还原电位(redox potential)、阳离子交换量(CEC)和有机质(OM)值,并利用改进内梅罗综合指数法对湿地土壤肥力进行全面的评价。[结果](1)研究区土壤的pH范围为5.77~7.78,均值为6.62,呈中性;有机质和总氮的相关性强,分布特征相似,含量分别为61.82,3.13 g/kg,均为很丰富的状态,属于一级水平;总磷和总钾含量分别为0.75,18.05 g/kg,为适中的状态,属于三级水平;全盐含量为0.92 g/kg,电导率为2.97 mS/m,整体来看,研究区土壤具有较强的保肥能力。(2)湿地土壤综合肥力系数(P)顺序为茶巴朗湿地(2.01)>巴嘎雪湿地(1.95)>拉鲁湿地(1.93)>甘曲湿地(1.86),均属于肥沃等级,影响湿地土壤综合肥力的指标是总钾,因各自然湿地形成条件相似,土壤综合肥力系数无显著差异。[结论]研究结果明晰了拉萨河下游湿地土壤养分现状,为实现研究区湿地资源的可持续利用提供科学依据。

Effects of Vegetation Type on Surface Elevation Change in Liaohe River Delta Wetlands Facing Accelerated Sea Level Rise

Rising sea levels threaten the sustainability of coastal wetlands around the globe. The ability of coastal marshes to maintain their position in the intertidal zone depends on the accumulation of both organic and inorganic materials, and vegetation is important in these processes. To study the effects of vegetation type on surface elevation change, we measured surface accretion and elevation change from 2011 to 2016 using rod surface elevation table and feldspar marker horizon method(RSET-MH) in two Phragmites and two Suaeda marshes in the Liaohe River Delta. The Phragmites marshes exhibited higher rates of surface accretion and elevation change than the Suaeda marshes. The two Phragmites marsh sites had average surface elevation change rates at 8.78 mm/yr and 9.26 mm/yr and surface accretion rates at 17.56 mm/yr and 17.88 mm/yr, respectively. At the same time, the two Suaeda marsh sites had average surface elevation change rates at 5.77 mm/yr and 5.91 mm/yr and surface accretion rates at 13.42 mm/yr and 14.38 mm/yr, respectively. The elevation change rates in both the Phragmites marshes and the Suaeda marshes in the Liaohe River Delta could keep pace and even continue to gain elevation relative to averaged sea level rise in the Bohai Sea reported by the 2016 State Oceanic Administration, People's Republic of China projection(2.4–5.5 mm/yr) in current situations. Our data suggest that vegetation is important in the accretionary processes and vegetation type could regulate the wetland surface elevation. However, the vulnerability of coastal wetlands in the Liaohe River Delta need further assessment considering the accelerated sea level rise, the high rate of subsidence, and the declining sediment delivery, especially for the Suaeda marshes.