Oceans are the cradles of abundant wildlife and natural resources. China's seas cover three million square kilometers, about one-third of its land area. Along the vast coastline, 271 marine nature reserves were set up by the end of 2018 in 11 provinces. On World Oceans Day, let's dive into these blue paradises to see the endangered marine species and diverse marine ecosystems.

As autumn comes, the splendid view of “red beaches” in the Liaohe Estuary Red Beach National Marine Park attracts plenty of visitors. The beach is made up of red plants called Suaeda salsa, which is a type of seepweed that can easily adapt to the saline or alkaline soil in the wetland system.

Moreover, animals are protected here. The Dalian Spotted Seal National Nature Reserve is the main habitat for spotted seals, the only pinniped that breeds in China. The Shedao Island pit viper is the only snake species on Shedao Island and can be only found in the Shedao Island-Laotieshan Mountain National Nature Reserve. The snake feeds on small migratory birds that eat insects, creating a unique ecological chain centered around snakes. 

Tianjin, a north China coastal municipality, is well-known for its wetlands, which account for over one-fifth of its total land area. The Tianjin Dashentang Oyster Reef National Marine Special Reserve is the only habitat for oysters and Chinese scallop at Bohai Bay.

The Tianjin Ancient Coast and Wetlands National Nature Reserve is very unique and extremely rare. It is the only marine nature reserve isolated from the modern coastline, making them the perfect spot for research in oceanology and geology.

Changli Gold Coast National Nature Reserve and Beidaihe National Marine Park are the main national marine nature reserves in north China's Hebei Province. The former nature reserve, in particular, is among the foremost ones approved by the State Council. It mainly protects the sandy coast ecosystem, consisting of lancelets, sand dunes, lagoons, and other marine life.

The lancelets which are under second-class state protection are very precious as they require the fulfillment of numerous conditions regarding where they live. Their presence marks an improved local ecological environment. 

In the next episode, we're going to see the blue paradises in Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai. Stay tuned!

(Cover image via VCG.)

(Deng Lehuai also contributed to the story. With translation from China Green Times.)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com)