In 2000, the Yangtze River ecosystem faced significant alteration due to the construction of dams, pollution, and increased navigation traffic. These changes degraded habitats for endemic fish and the critically endangered Yangtze river dolphin. The ecological challenges in the Yangtze River highlighted the urgent need for sustainable development practices that balance economic growth with environmental protection.

The alteration of the Yangtze River ecosystem in 2000 inspired poetry that reflected on the river's transformation. Poets like Bei Dao used the river as a metaphor for cultural and environmental change, weaving personal narratives with broader ecological concerns.