China’s Five Ministries Jointly Deploy Spartina Alterniflora Control, Targeting Dynamic Zero by 2030

Recently, five Chinese ministries—the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Water Resources, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs—jointly issued a notice to deploy further efforts in Spartina alterniflora control during the “14th Five-Year Plan” period. “By 2030, we will achieve dynamic zero of Spartina alterniflora nationwide and safeguard the ecological security boundary of coastal wetlands,” a relevant person in charge of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration stated on the 28th when interpreting the notice.

To achieve the “dynamic zero” goal, the notice puts forward clear requirements. It emphasizes the need to continuously carry out dynamic monitoring and early warning, scientifically determine monitoring scope, reasonably divide monitoring zones, and implement classified measures. By adopting the “satellite remote sensing + UAV + ground patrol” model, an integrated “sky-earth-ground” monitoring system will be built, along with a “red, yellow, green” color-coded early warning and response mechanism to conduct hierarchical dynamic monitoring and early warning.

Comprehensive long-term management and protection will be strengthened. A daily patrol and grid management system will be established, with management grids divided to ensure that responsibilities are assigned to individuals. A sound digital monitoring platform will be improved to enhance management, protection and removal work, adhering to the principle of “eliminating early, eliminating small, and eliminating completely” to achieve dynamic zero.

The notice also clarifies the need to scientifically carry out ecological restoration, adhering to the principle of “natural restoration as the main focus and artificial restoration as supplementary”. With reference to the original ecological system before Spartina alterniflora invasion, and fully considering the habitat needs of waterfowl and aquatic organisms, ecological restoration methods will be scientifically determined, and classified and regionalized restoration will be carried out in light of local conditions.

In terms of standardized utilization of managed areas, local governments are encouraged to actively explore reasonable utilization models in Spartina alterniflora controlled areas. Activities such as ecological fishery, ecotourism, scientific research and popular science education can be carried out according to local conditions, continuously expanding the path for realizing the value of ecological products, reducing the risk of Spartina alterniflora recurrence and spread, and achieving the unity of ecological, social and economic benefits.

According to the relevant person in charge, at the end of 2022, the five ministries, together with relevant departments of the State Council, formulated the “Special Action Plan for Spartina Alterniflora Control (2022-2025)”. By the end of 2025, the task of clearing 1.46 million mu of Spartina alterniflora nationwide had been fully completed, the trend of unrestricted spread had been fundamentally curbed, and the tough battle against Spartina alterniflora had achieved a comprehensive victory, entering a new stage of consolidating achievements and regular prevention and control.

China Government Network reported that the issuance of the notice is an important measure to implement the long-term ecological protection strategy, which will further improve the normalized prevention and control system of Spartina alterniflora and provide strong support for protecting coastal wetland ecology and maintaining ecological balance.