Wetland ecological risk assessment and management: Taking Wenzhou Sanyang Wetland as a case study

Based on the traditional framework of wetland ecological risk assessment, this thesis proposed a new method by considering two major pollution types faced by wetlands, including heavy metal pollution and water eutrophication. Artificial neural network (ANN) method was applied to evaluate the eutrophication risk level, while an improved potential ecological risk index was used to estimate the risk of heavy metals in surface sediments. Then, Fuzzy set theory was used to combine the two risk levels to obtain a general risk level, which could be used for recommending appropriate risk management actions. The Sanyang Wetland in Wenzhou, China was used as a case study to demonstrate the proposed wetland ecological risk assessment method. This thesis indicated that the new framework of wetland ecological assessment could provide a risk level of objectives and give corresponding suggestions to decision making.