Ecological Impact Assessment on the China's Ice Storm in 2008

Abstract

An unprecedented ice storm occurred in south China in early 2008, bringing extensive damages and huge losses to human beings and natural ecosystems. By site specific survey, coupled with review of the government documents and reports, we made an ecological impact assessment on the ice storm. 19 provinces were attacked with a population of over 100 million affected. The ice storm caused extensive damage to vegetation, crops, wildlife and insects. A total forestland of 19.4 million hectares impacted, with 340 million m3 standing volume lost. The ecological service of the forests considerably impaired, with the capacity of the water and soil conservation, water resources conservancy and carbon sequestration weakened largely. An area of 14.32 million hectares crops were impacted, with oilseed rape, vegetable and fruit severely damaged. 30,000 wild animals under special state protection were died or injured due to the storm, and distribution and population density of some insects were impacted.