The Yangtze

In excess of 350 million people live within the watershed of the Yangtze River, more than the entire population of the United States. A large percentage of this population depends upon the river directly for food, water and electricity. Alongside the human population lives a diverse array of species, including more than 300 species of fish.

News / Features

• The Nature Conservancy to Co-sponsor Yangtze Forum
• Creating a Conservation Blueprint for China

Spotlight

 

Water: China's New Challenge The demand for freshwater and electricity in China has led to the building of massive dams and changes on the surrounding landscape.

Resources

Learn more about the work of the Conservancy and its partners in the Asia-Pacific Region:

Australia  /  China  /  Micronesia  /  Indonesia  /  Palau  /  Palmyra Atoll  /  Papua New Guinea  /  Solomon Islands

Voice of the River

"Water flows from high in the mountains. Water runs deep in the Earth. Miraculously, water comes to us, and sustains all life."

– Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk

Pictured above: Fishing is an important industry in the region and a traditional source of food and income for many communities.

Fast Facts

Basin Area: 1,722,155 sq.km.

Population Density: 224 people per sq.km. (average)

Cities (>100,000 People): 56

Printable map (PDF) of the river systems where the partnership is working, including the Yangtze.

How We Protect Watersheds

Explore a cool interactive feature to see how the Conservancy protects freshwater resources worldwide.