Abstract: Based on the theories of wetland ecosystem health and by using “Pressure-State-Response” model, a health assessment indicator system for Qi’ao Island mangrove wetland ecosystem in Pearl River Estuary was built, and the assessment indices, assessment criteria, indices weighted values, assessment grades, and assessment methods were established to assess the health state of this ecosystem. In 2008, the overall health index of this ecosystem was 0.6580, health level was of grade Ⅱ (healthy), and the pressure, state, and response indices were 0.3469, 0.8718, and 0.7754, respectively, suggesting that this ecosystem was good in state and response, but still had definite pressure. As a provincial nature reserve, this ecosystem was to be further improved in its health level. However, the research on the health assessment of mangrove wetland ecosystem was still young. Further studies should be made on the selection of assessment indices, long-term oriented monitoring of these indices, and quantification of the relations between ecosystem health level and ecosystem services.

Key words: mangrove wetland, ecosystem health assessment, assessment indicator system, Qi’ao Island, nonpoint source pollution, upper Xin’an River, land cover,  , retained phosphorus, economic value.