Evolution of land use policies and its effects on wetlands change in Tianjin Binhai New Area, China

Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA) was one of the fastest developing regions in the world. The Wetlands of this area have changed dramatically both in quality and quantity due to the land-based urbanization and industrialization in the last 30 years. The relationship between evolution of land use policies and change of the wetlands was explored in present study. Before the year of 1986, the ownership and use rights of land were separated legally for meeting the need of attracting the foreign investment. The wetlands near the “Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area” were lost. From the year 1987 to 1994, the constitution was amended and land users were allowed to let, transfer, rent and mortgage land use rights. The trend of urbanization was appearing and wetlands around the central city (Tanggu) diminished gradually. From the year 1994 to 2004, the old industrial corporation moved for the TBAN from the center of Tianjin city under the policy of “Land Replacement”. Although large wetlands were protected by national nature reserve area, most of small patches of wetland were transformed into construction land. From the year 2004 to 2008, local government was authorized more flexibility to regulate the land supply for upgrading “National Economic Zone” of TBNA. Large scale of intertidal flat was reclaimed for port and industrial use. The results showed land use policies had a substantial effect on wetlands. The reasonable land use policy was needed for balancing the economic growth with wetlands protection.