LensToLens: Wetlands guard bird species from plateau to urban landscape

This photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows white faced whistling ducks at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society.

Known as an extra lung for Londoners, the London Wetland Centre is an urban ecological paradise transformed from industrial wasteland on the banks of the River Thames.

The site was formerly four reservoirs operated by the Thames Water Company, which supplied drinking water to the southwest of London. The London Wetland Centre began construction in 1995 and was completed and opened to the public in 2000.

Visitors to the centre can observe numerous endangered bird species, with over 200 species observed and recorded in the area, embodying a harmonious balance between urban life and nature.

The unique geographical environment of Xizang nurtures distinct biological communities, housing many rare species. In efforts to protect the plateau's wildlife, Xizang has established a system of natural reserves centered around national parks.

The black-necked crane, a species under first-class state protection in China, is the only crane that breeds and lives in high-altitude regions worldwide. The black-necked crane not only symbolizes auspiciousness and beauty but also serves as a vital link in the ecological chain, reflecting the condition of high-altitude wetlands through their survival and migration patterns.

In recent years, the Xizang Autonomous Region has implemented various ecological construction projects, resulting in a yearly increase in the population of black-necked cranes, which now exceeds ten thousand individuals.

Whether on China's plateau or in the urban landscapes of Britain, the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature remains a shared aspiration. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A black-necked crane takes care of its baby at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 5, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

A barnacle goose shakes wings at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain, June 20, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A staff member feeds magpie geese at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain, June 20, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A black-necked crane takes care of its baby at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 5, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

A black-necked crane checks its baby at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 4, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society.(Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

A black-necked crane takes care of its baby at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 5, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

This photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows a view at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows mallards at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Pigeons fly at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain, June 20, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows a white stork at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

A staff member feeds birds at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain, June 20, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows dabbling ducks at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

This photo taken on June 20, 2025 shows a pigeon on a building roof at London Wetland Centre in London, Britain. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Black-necked cranes take turns to take care of their baby at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 4, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

Black-necked cranes are seen at a reservoir in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Feb. 20, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Black-necked cranes are seen at a reservoir in Lhunzhub County of Lhasa, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, March 8, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida)

A black-necked crane is seen at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 4, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Tenzing Nima Qadhup)

A black-necked crane keeps its baby warm under its body while the other remains vigilant at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 4, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

A black-necked crane takes care of its baby at a wetland in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 5, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

A black-necked crane tries to keep a fishing gull away from its nest in Xainza County of Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, June 4, 2025. As an important part of the world's ecosystem, wetland plays a huge role in many aspects including ecology, environment, economy and society. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)