Publication

02.10.2015

Adaptation to climate change in the Central Yangtze River Basin, China

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This research is one of six diverse and consistently designed freshwater – climate change autonomous adaptation case studies from around the world, based on projects of the conservation organization WWF. This study was undertaken to draw lessons from empirical case experiences on best practices in adaptation. This research aims to provide an adaptation case for climate change in the central Yangtze River basin. It is
one of six diverse and consistently designed freshwater – climate change autonomous adaptation case studies from around the world, based on projects of the conservation organization WWF. This study was undertaken to draw lessons from empirical case experiences on best practices in adaptation. In the last 50 years in Hubei Province of central Yangtze Basin, of 1,066 lakes, 757 covering 2,150 km2 were converted to polders reducing wetlands area by 80% and flood retention capacity by 2.8 Bm3 or 75%. Damage from four major floods between 1991 and 1998 resulted in up to thousands of deaths and billion of dollars in damages. Lakes were polluted, including by application of fertilizer to aquaculture pens.

TAGS:

  • Climate change adaptation
  • impacts on water resources