[Present status and prospects of estuarine wetland research in China]

Estuarine wetland has become a research hotspot in China, due to its unique processes of evolution and formation, rich biodiversity, and important roles in supporting economic development. Based on the analysis of the distribution and the characteristics of estuarine wetlands in China, this paper summarized the present status of estuary wetland research in this country from the aspects of biodiversity, ecological processes and dynamic changes, mechanisms of formation and development, landscape patterns and dynamic evolution, restoration and rehabilitation, relationships between human activities and conservation, estuary wetland and global change, assessment, and construction of digital estuarine wetlands. Although great achievements have been made in various research aspects of estuary wetlands, there still existed many gaps, especially in advanced idea and technology, compared with developed countries. Combined the up-to-date research trend of estuary wetland at home and abroad, four important research hotspots in the future in China were put forward, including the relationships between human activities and conservation, restoration and rehabilitation, estuary wetland and global change, and construction of information system.