Baldcypress, an important wetland tree species: ecological value, management and mensuration

China has the largest area of wetlands in Asia and the fourth largest amount worldwide. Wetlands include marshes, swamps, salt marshes, parts of streams, shorelines, and flood plains. It is estimated that wetlands in China cover over 25 million ha, 80% being of the fresh water variety, or 2.6% of the land base (Lu 1990). However, it is recognized that existing wetland inventory information is in need of updating so a comprehensive Asian Wetland Inventory database is being developed under the auspices of Wetlands International (Finlayson et al. 2002). There are major concerns over wetland loss and degradation in China, thus the government has put into implementation the CHINA NATIONAL WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN (CNWCAP) (SFA 2000). Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) can be used for wetland remediation and restoration in floodplains, swamps, and along streams, thus it can help meet objectives of the CNWCAP.