Auditing reforested watersheds on the loess plateau: Fangshan Shanxi

Abstract

Mapping watershed ecosystems, evaluating their ecological status and modelling land use futures are the aims of a project undertaken by an interdisciplinary team from Shanxi Forestry Academy and Watershed Systems Living Water Foundation. The project introduces geospatial methodologies and iGiS technologies for (a) mapping and modelling watersheds and (b) monitoring and evaluating rangeland restoration after reassigning collective forest lands to local farmers in accordance with land reform policies.Two contemporary geospatial technologies were instrumental in the Fangshan project. These technologies are driving a paradigm shift in the way primary industries like mining, farming and forestry utilize GIS, engage in land evaluations, resource mapping, environmental assessments and product certification.•Firstly, high resolution, true image 3D orthophoto mapping was produced as the iGiS map platform for the Fangshan project. The true colour orthophoto maps produced by the team proved very suitable, with the high resolution imagery achieving cartographic standards allowing draft mapping at 1:2000. Because unique x,y,z geocentroid coordinates are generated for each and every pixel in the orthophoto mapping process, detailed iGiS data bases with multiple attributes ranked parametrically were readily captured and recorded for every habitat and regolith.•Secondly, the Shanxi Forest Academy team were trained in geospatial methodologies for mapping watershed ecosystems and modelling their habitat/regolith/energy relationships. Using GiS imaging technologies, these cartographic simulation methodologies enable ecological modelling of watersheds and their subterranean water systems, while providing a framework for monitoring and evaluating the environmental health of watersheds using permanent benchmarks and ecological indicators.Habitat mapping and modelling of Fangshan watersheds revealed how ecological restoration is gradually occurring through strategic combinations of planned reforestation, traditional terrace farming systems and natural regeneration. These ecological strategies are shown to be beneficial land use partners in restoring the mountain rangelands, riparian ecostructures and ecosystem functions of degraded loess plateau watersheds.