Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve, a vital wetland within the Yangtze River estuary, serves as a critical node along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway. Despite successful control of invasive Spartina alterniflora, ground-nesting waterbirds such as Black-winged Stilts and Common Terns continued to experience low breeding success due to nest flooding and predation.
In response, an innovative conservation strategy was piloted: the creation of ecological floating islands constructed from reclaimed marine debris-including bamboo and foam-to provide safe, elevated nesting habitats. These artificial islands not only mitigated flooding risks and reduced predator access but also promoted the circular reuse of oceanic waste. Initial results showed a notable increase in breeding success, with rates on the floating islands reaching approximately 60%, double that of natural islets. This integrated approach demonstrates a scalable, cost-effective model that links habitat restoration with waste recycling, offering a replicable solution for enhancing waterbird reproduction in vulnerable coastal wetlands.