Table 5.
Changes in types of MERLs before and after adjustment.
| Types of the original MERLs | Types of the adjusted MERLs | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Marine protected areas | – | The protected area as a whole is included in the MERLs and not classified as a single type, which is classified according to the dominant ecological function |
| Specially marine protected areas | ||
| Important estuarine ecosystems | Estuaries | Compared to the original MERLs, increase the high marine biodiversity areas, identify typical ecosystems with high ecological service functions, and expand the protection scope |
| Specially protected islands | Specially protected islands | |
| Concentrated distribution areas of rare and endangered species | Concentrated distribution areas of rare and endangered species | |
| Mangroves | Mangroves | |
| Coral reefs | Coral reefs | |
| Seagrass beds | Seagrass beds | |
| Important fishing areas | Spawning grounds of fishery resources | Compared to the original MERLs, increase the importance assessment of the fishery resources growth and breeding areas, and designated spawning grounds of fishery resources in the MERLs, making the protection scope more scientific |
| Important coastal wetlands | Coastal salt marshes | The coastal wetlands are subdivided into two categories: coastal salt marshes and important mudflats and shallow waters, which are larger than the protection scope of the original MERLs |
| – | Important mudflats and shallow waters | |
| Sandy coastline and adjacent waters | High coastal protection areas | Compared to the original MERLs, increase the assessment of the importance of coastal protection function and expand the protection scope |
| Sand source protected waters | High coastal erosion and sand loss vulnerability areas | Compared to the original MERLs, increase the high coastal erosion vulnerability areas and expand the protection scope |
| Important coastal tourism areas | – | The adjusted MERLs does not include these two types. Based on the background ecological importance, if an area has high ecological importance, it will be classified as the corresponding type |
| Natural landscapes and historical and cultural relics | – |