A training base for wetland scientists is being set up in the Chongxi wetland of Chongming Island in Shanghai by Wetland International, a non-profit global organization dedicated to conservation of such areas.

The wetland, in the upper freshwater reaches of the delta, is an excellent example of national and even global wetlands, the organization said.

There are six types of wetland around the region of Yangtze River estuary - lake, channel, sublittoral, intertidal, low lying and sand isle. The 43,700-hectare Chongxi wetland is the only one in the region to have all six types, researchers said.

In May next year, the first batch of 50 wetland scientists from home and abroad will begin training.

Wetlands are critical to mitigating climate change. They have an important and underestimated role in carbon storage and greenhouse gas regulation. Professors from East China Normal University have just begun the second phase of research work on the Chongxi wetland.

They aim to develop the wetland in a low cost and natural way.

Wetland International, which is cooperating with the university professors, said any lessons learned about the balance of the conservation and development of the Chongxi wetland would have global significance.

There are 353 wetland conservation areas and 51 wetland parks, including those under construction, in the country. In early November, a wetland conservation network was formed to share information across the region of Yangtze River's middle and lower reaches.

(Shanghai Daily November 23, 2007)