Photo: NOAA image by Kelly Teich

In China’s protected area system, national parks and nature reserves provide protection for ecology and the environment, both terrestrial and marine. In November, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) released an opinion solicitation draft of Standards for Conservation Effectiveness Evaluation of Ecology and Environment in Nature Reserves. NRDC submitted recommendations suggesting adding ocean-related components to the existing framework. The significance of habitat availability and diversity, the ecosystem services of carbon storage and coastal protection and the special features and impact of human activities have been highlighted in those recommendations. If accepted, these standards will greatly improve the monitoring and evaluation of marine nature reserves and enhance marine protection effectiveness in the long term.