Shuangtai Estuary. 07/12/04; Liaoning; 128,000 ha; 40º54'45"N 121º45'41"E. National Nature Reserve. The estuary of the Liao River at Liaodong Bay in northeastern China, the site includes "the essential part of the world's largest reed marsh (Phragmites communis)", a large area of Suaeda community, and shallow sea. The site, which meets eight of the Ramsar Criteria, provides flood control and prevention, maintains groundwater recharge, and retains 10.4 million tons of nutrients and sediment each year, helping to prevent coastal water eutrophication and salt water intrusion. It provides important habitat for resting and breeding of over 100,000 waterbirds from 106 species, including the critically endangered Siberian Crane Leucogeranus leucogeranus and the endangered Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana and Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis, and is the largest breeding site in the world for the vulnerable Saunder's Gull Larus saundersi. The site provides seasonal occupation for 20,000 people for reed irrigation and harvest, oil exploration facility checking, agriculture and aquaculture. Conservation measures include environmental awareness and education for the protection of birds. A Wetland Ecosystem Monitoring Station has been established to observe and study waterbirds and monitor the status of the wetland. So far, about 400ha of Larus saundersi habitat have been restored. Ramsar site no. 1441. Most recent RIS information: 2012.