The wetland where Tang River joins Baiyang Lake in Xiong’an New Area, Hebei Province will be a place of ecological tourism and popularization of science in Xiong’an construction. Because of the constant human activities, the natural landscape became farmlands and dry lands, causing serious deterioration of the wetland ecosystem.

ZEHO ECO focused on the ecosystem deterioration and biodiversity reduction in the area, pursuing the vision of wetland protection and restoration. Based on overall reasonable and realistic planning, we launched projects covering ecological base, ecological hydrology, water purification, bank construction, flora restoration, ecological habitat construction, wetland landscape building, scientific research and publicity, providing habitats for birds, fish and benthos, restoring biodiversity and creating a sustainable ecosystem which is little affected by human and close to nature.

Launched in 2018, the project took Nature-based Solutions and followed the principle of least human interference, respecting nature and minimizing the chances of causing damage to the environment. We factored in the wetland's condition, environment, climate, etc. to protect and restore natural environment, as well as reducing human interference.

By setting up ecological buffer belts, we divided the area into different function zones to intercept point source and diffuse water pollution caused by the first round of rain and domestic sewage. The effective ecological measures of treating and preventing potential pollutants can ensure the normal operation of the wetland. We incorporated smart monitoring and popularization of science into the environmental science publicity and research monitoring system, forming a diverse zone of birds, amphibious animals, aquatic lives, insects and plants for people to learn about nature.

1.Value nature

The ecological base of the project was formed based on basic spatial landforms. By planning the wetland layout, we restored the ecological environment and formed an ecological corridor.

Ecological water bodies and flora have created a diverse habitat. We planned the layout of both aquatic and land areas according to the condition of the wetland and scientifically formed a wetland ecosystem.

2.Reduce impact

By setting up ecological buffer belts, we divided the area into different function zones to intercept point source and diffuse water pollution caused by the first round of rain and domestic sewage. The effective ecological measures of treating and preventing potential pollutants can ensure the normal operation of the wetland. Between the wetland and neighboring villages, green banks have become ecological buffer belts to intercept domestic sewage and agricultural diffuse pollution from surrounding villages. Based on the wetland spatial landforms, our team restored the ecosystem, created an ecological corridor, and optimized routes for runoff in Baiyang Lake to keep hydraulic power longer. We also selected and matched flora such as Phragmites to increase the nutrition absorbed by plants from water, thus purifying water.

3.Publicize science

The ecological monitoring route and popularization of science route exhibit birds, amphibious animals, aquatic lives, insects and plants in different ways. The wetland provides diversified, interesting experience and education and functions as an amusing science publicity place with intelligent facilities.

The project optimized the ecological layout of Baiyang Lake, promoted the environmental protection and ecological restoration in the area. It leads the way in improving close-to-nature wetland ecological habitats in Baiyang Lake even in Northern China and will become an exemplary model of a natural combination of nature and people and high-quality development.