torsanlorenzo

L A P R O G E T T A Z I O N E P A E S A G G I S T I C A N E L L A T R A S F O R M A Z I O N E D E L T E R R I T O R I O
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LOTUS LAKE NATIONAL WETLAND PARK ECOLOGICAL PLANNING
The Lotus Lake region is a mixed composition of degenerating rice fields, abandoned reservoir, fish ponds, and
a number of artificial wetlands and natural river wetlands. Located in a bird migration route—the East Asian
Flyway of Migratory Birds—the region has rich bird resources, and is the substantial habitat for many types of
water birds. Agricultural food production has caused Lotus Lake wetland area to be gradually turned into farmland,
and in addition the villagers’ daily activities have also become a heavy threat to the wetland. The natural
wetland and water quality has undergone a serious deterioration, causing the region to gradually be unable
to meet the birds’ habitat requirements.
Taking all of the above into consideration, Lotus Lake region has been planned and designed to become a Lotus
Lake Wetland Park. With the change from agriculture as the main economic activity, the villagers have been
gradually relocated into new districts. The expansion of the Lotus Lake area has transformed the old embankment
into an island that is a safe breeding area for birds. To resolve lake water quantity problem, artificial
wetlands have been constructed at the site of the original natural wetlands area, treated gray water from the
nearby sewage treatment plant will be purified in the artificial wetland before entering the Lotus Lake.
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In the design process, birds’ habitat requirements research has been placed as the main concern. We have bird
experts and a natural preservation management team as consultants to do the research of six bird ecological
groups (swimmers, waders, predators, land birds, climbers and songbirds). We have researched the ecological
species and habitat requirements of birds, migratory birds’ species and habitat requirements, endangered bird
species and habitat requirements and the relationships between birds and human, in order to build a scientific
and rational habitat construction plan.
We have also integrated the leisure function with science education function by developing science education
infrastructures, designing tourist routes and popular science bases, constructing a recreational bird-watching
area and a wetland museum, etc.
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