Abstract
Forest ecosystems are in serious trouble globally, largely due to the over-exploitation. To alleviate environmental problems caused by deforestation, China has undertaken a series of key forestry ecological development programs, including the Natural Forest Protection Program (NFPP), the Conversion of Cropland into Forests Program (CCFP), the Desertification Combating Program around Beijing and Tianjing (DCBT), the Key Shelterbelt Development Programs in the Three-North Region and in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (KSDP) and the Nature Reserve Development Program in Forestry Sector (WCNR). This article aims to make a documentation of the specific contents (duration, major aims, geographic coverage and investment), and environmental impacts of these programs from peer-reviewed literature, official reports and journals. Environmental impact is measured with land area afforested (except the WCNR) and the consequent changes in ecosystem function. Overall, with the huge investment and long-term efforts, these programs have made tremendous progress in increasing vegetative coverage, enhancing carbon sequestration, controlling soil erosion, conservation of biodiversity, etc. For proper implementation and remarkable achievement, a more balanced approach with flexible planning, suitable measures and proper management should be adopted. Meanwhile, the scientific communities need to be more actively involved in execution and assessment of these programs. The environmental impact of the DCBT, the KSDP, and the WCNR deserve more research concern.
Highlights
China is one of the largest countries in the world
Since the 1970s, China has launched a series of key forestry ecological development programs, including the Natural Forest Protection Program (NFPP, known as the Natural Forest Conservation Program), the Conversion of Cropland into Forests Program (CCFP, known as the Sloping Land Conversion Program and the Grain to Green Program), the Desertification Combating Program around Beijing and Tianjing (DCBT, called Sandification Control Program for the Areas in the Vicinity of Beijing and Tianjin), the Key Shelterbelt Development Programs in the Three-North Region and in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (KSDP, known as the Shelterbelt Network Development Program) and the Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserve Development Program in Forestry Sector (WCNR) [9]
A study performed by the Forest Economics and Development Research Center (FEDRC) of China’s State Forestry Administration (SFA) and Australian National University (ANU) revealed that the land retirement and conversion of the CCFP induced water balance and reduced soil erosion along the Yellow River basin
Summary
The forest area of China ranks the fifth around the world, encompassing a wide range of forest ecosystems, climate types, landform and soil content [1]. The disturbances on forest ecosystems have caused severe environmental problems, such as desertification, sand storm, flooding, soil erosion, increased emission of greenhouse gas, loss of wildlife habitats [7,8]. In spite of the major accomplishment of afforestation and poverty alleviation, there had not been a major attempt to review the ecological impacts of these programs. Some domestic and international research projects have been conducted to assess the environmental impact of these programs. This article aimed to review the specific contents and environmental impacts of key forestry ecological development programs of China, as well as the major challenges in their implementation. The sources used included international peer-reviewed literatures, official reports and journals
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