A Comparative Case Study of Ecological Restoration Models and Collaborative Governance in Typical Fluctuation Zones of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

The inundation zone within the Three Gorges Reservoir area, formed by the reservoir's 'clear water storage and turbid water discharge' operation, serves as a crucial aquatic-terrestrial buffer zone maintaining ecological equilibrium. However, in recent years, multiple degradation risks have emerged, including micro-topographical fragmentation and homogenisation, vegetation decline, and a sharp reduction in biodiversity, directly threatening the reservoir's ecological security. This study, therefore, examines three representative inundation zones within the reservoir area: Wuyangba, Zhongxian-Shizhu, and Xiangxi River. By comparing the differences in their degradation characteristics, the study identifies the manifestations and driving mechanisms of ecological degradation in each area. Building on this, the research further integrates and evaluates ecological restoration technology systems tailored to different types of degradation, proposing new developmental directions for addressing the complex degradation issues in reservoir fluctuation zones. This study aims to provide systematic scientific evidence for the systematic restoration of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, as well as theoretical references and practical templates for the ecological governance of similar reservoirs.