Blue landscapes (BL) are ecologically vibrant ecosystems that refer to wetlands, rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, and also include a variety of habitats such as swamps, estuaries, floodplains, etc. BL provides a variety of ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water purification, soil fertility, plant and animal habitats, and more. These services are vital in maintaining the livelihoods of local communities and the health of the environment. BL is a key link in the global water cycle and is nature's water purifier and regulator. BL is distributed around the world, covering an area of approximately 12.1 million square kilometers, accounting for approximately 9% of the global land area. However, with urban expansion, land use changes, and environmental pollution, BL has suffered varying degrees of degradation and loss, and balancing urban development and BL protection has become a current challenge.
[Photo/Science Direct]
Source: <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210670724000222>
Edited and Translated by Ma Chenshuo
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