Census finds 103 fish species in Haihe River's main stream
E-DNA technology used to map aquatic life, inform conservation efforts
In addition to technological methods, Zhao said: "In Tianjin, many residents enjoy fishing by the river. We surveyed anglers, gathering extensive data and public suggestions for protecting the 'mother river'. This has laid a foundation for subsequent targeted awareness campaigns and conservation efforts." Questionnaire results showed that most citizens recognize fish as ecological barometers and expressed a desire to contribute more to protecting the "mother river".
"This fish census not only fills gaps in data on the Haihe River fish but also reminds us that the status of fish serves as a 'barometer' of the Haihe's ecology," Wu said.
"In the past, the Haihe River management focused more on basic tasks such as achieving water quality standards and flood control. While there is still room for improvement in holistic ecosystem protection, this census has deepened our understanding that ecological governance must incorporate the survival needs of aquatic life into overall planning to steer the Haihe ecosystem toward a sustainable and vibrant future."
Regarding future plans for fish resource research, Wu said that building on the preliminary monitoring of the Haihe's main stream, they will further focus on ecologically representative fish species to provide a scientific basis for developing more precise conservation strategies.
Meanwhile, the monitoring scope will expand to include major tributaries such as the Ziya River, offering comprehensive data support for basin-wide fish resource protection.
In the near future, the team will continue applying environmental DNA technology, extending research to wildlife resource monitoring.
"We are about to launch wildlife resource monitoring in Tianjin, Beijing and Hebei, establishing intercity 'ecological corridors'. This will provide data support and technical guidance for the coordinated protection of wildlife in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, jointly safeguarding North China's ecological security," Zhao said.
Zang Yifan and Chen Yijun contributed to this story.
