Dongtan wetland is the only high quality natural resources currently existed in Shanghai, and is included in the China Protected Wetland List in 1992. In 1998, the Shanghai People's Municipal Government has approved Dongtan to build a Natural Protection Zone for Birds. On the World Wetlands Day 2 February, 2002, Dongtan Wetland is officially included in the world important wetland list by Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Presently, the most important task aimed at in terms of ecological development in Dongtan concerns how to recognize the value of its natural capital scientifically, and how to reasonably utilize its wetland.

(1) Scientific value. Dongtan Wetland is one of the largest protection zones for migratory birds in East Asia. It is located in the middle of the east part along the north-south migration route of migratory birds, and is the indispensable rest stops for birds around the world during their migration. Dongtan Wetland is an international core for ecological zone, and becomes rapidly evolving ecological system that is of a rare phenomenon in the world. This area is ideal to foster important scientific studies.

(2) Ecological value. Dongtan Wetland is an ecological outpost of Chongming Island, and it also offers huge ecological benefits to the ecological system in Shanghai.

(3) Aesthetic value. Dongtan Wetland faces the sea, accesses to the Changjiang River, and is the frontier of the Chongming Island. Its 3,000 square meter beach plants stretch to the horizon, various birds fly across the blue sky, the dawn, the rising sun, the rain color, and the night scene, all this adds up to the beauty of harmonious combination of human and nature. It can be one of the most beautiful tourist sights for economically developed area along the east coast of our country. As Shanghai residents are getting wealthier and as their work pace is being too strenuous, it is certain that Dongtan will be highly valuable for developing tourism, from which it will become a tourist attraction and vocational sight. Last but not the least, the Dongtan Wetland Park that has been proposed to build will fully demonstrate its aesthetic value to the people of the world.