Researchers Revealed High Economic and Ecological Returns from Coastal Wetland Restoration in China

Amidst growing concerns over wetland degradation and biodiversity loss, a recent study by the South China Botanical Garden has provided compelling evidence that China's investment in coastal wetland restoration yields substantial ecological and economic returns. Focusing on 237 projects spanning from 2000 to 2020, the research team conducted a rigorous cost-benefit analysis of restoring salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds.

Figure 1. Distribution of China's coastal wetland ecological restoration projects.（Image by ZHOU et al.）

The findings are striking: with an investment of nearly US$13.8 billion, the restoration efforts resulted in a blue carbon gain of 8.5 ± 3.76 million tons and a massive increase in ecosystem service value, estimated at US$95.9-US$434 billion. The benefit-cost ratios indicate high profitability, with mangroves returning up to 47 times the initial investment.

Figure 2. Benefits of different coastal wetland ecological restoration projects in China.（Image by ZHOU et al.）

The study emphasizes that while mangroves have been the primary focus of restoration efforts, salt marshes and seagrass beds offer equally vital roles in coastal resilience and carbon sequestration. The researchers advocate for a broader inclusion of all coastal wetland types in policy planning to maximize climate mitigation benefits. "This findings provide a strong economic argument for scaling up nature-based solutions," the authors note. This research bridges the gap between ecological science and economic policy, suggesting that scaling up restoration finance is not just an environmental imperative but a sound economic investment.

The research findings were published online in Communications Earth & Environment. ZHOU Jinge, a doctoral student at the South China Botanical Garden, is the first author of the paper. Professor WANG Faming, the head of the research group, is the corresponding author. This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program, the Hong Kong RGC Strategic Theme Program, the EU Horizon Flagship Program, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Article link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03458-3