Trends and influencing factors of wetlands in Southern China in 1992—2012

According to the field surveys and Southern China Yearbook data, we used a qualitative and quantitative combination method in this paper. From the three aspects of wetland area, wetland spatially and temporally dynamic changes and wetland landscape pattern changes, we researched and analyzed the status and trends systematically of wetlands in Southern China in past 20 years. Then we explored the influencing factor of wetland changes in Southern China, and then presented protection measures. The results showed that the wetlands in Southern China were mainly natural lakes and rivers wetlands, followed by artificial wetlands. Under the influence of climate, society, culture and other factors, original natural wetland area in Southern China decreased by 43%. The types of wetlands had also undergone an significant change and a series of ecological problems appeared.