Characteristics and Systematic Restoration Techniques of Wetlands in the Western Beijing

In response to severe wetland degradation in western ecological barrier zone of Beijing, characterized by vegetation loss, disrupted hydrological connectivity, and declining biodiversity due to urbanization and anthropogenic disturbances, an effective and integrated restoration framework is urgently needed. The current degradation status and underlying causes through field surveys are investigated and systematically three key technical approaches: hydrological restoration, habitat and engineering restoration, and biological restoration are integrated. After three years of systematic restoration and monitoring, the hydrological connectivity of the wetland was significantly enhanced, with water retention time extended by approximately 30%. The vegetation community structure was fundamentally improved: the number of plant species increased from 12 before restoration to 28, vegetation coverage rose from 30% to over 65%, and the proportion of native plants remained above 75%. The results demonstrate that a holistic restoration model, centered on native species recovery, guided by near-natural design principles, and supported by targeted engineering interventions, effectively reestablishes natural hydrological regimes, reconstructs diverse microhabitats, and significantly enhances ecosystem stability, self-sustainability, and carbon sequestration capacity. The proposed integrated technical system provides a practical and replicable pathway for wetland restoration in ecologically sensitive peri-urban areas, offering valuable reference for strengthening western ecological barrier zone of Beijing.