Abstract: As consequence of rapid urbanization,urban wetlands in China are suffering rapid loss and degradation.Taking Shanghai’s wetland management and conservation as an example,it’s argued that the fundamental reasons dwell in four aspects:the high demand of construction land driven by urban sprawl,the lack of legal base for wetland protection,imperfect wetland management system and information system,and the absence of market mechanism and public participation.It is suggested that we enhance the national wetland conservation institutions starting from the local legislation,change one-resource based management system to integrated management system,and provide opportunities for market forces and encourage public participation.

Key words: urban wetlands, urbanization, land demand, management system, back-up institution