Abstract
Under the background of China’s proposal to achieve “carbon neutralization and carbon peak”, it is an important task for each province to clarify their forest ecological security (FES) status. However, there is little understanding of the temporal and spatial evolution of forest ecological security and its influencing factors. Based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model, this paper constructed a comprehensive evaluation index system for forest ecological security and used the CRITIC method and panel data to estimate the dynamic changes in FES for 31 provinces in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) between 2009 and 2018. Furthermore, the obstacle degree model was used to determine the important obstacle factors affecting FES. The results showed that: (1) The comprehensive indices of FES of most provinces in mainland China were increasing, showing a good development trend during the study period; (2) subject to the limitations of resources and economic conditions, the FES at the provincial level showed significant spatial heterogeneity, which generally presents a distribution characteristic of “low in the western region and high in the central and eastern regions”; and (3) the primary obstacles restricting the improvement of FES level in most provinces of China were forest state indicators or input response indicators, followed by pressure indicators. Therefore, it is recommended to take targeted measures to reduce the intensity of forest cutting and the incidence of forest disasters, improve the utilization efficiency of forest resources, the productivity of forestland and the input-output level of forestry industry, and strengthen the training of professional talents and technical input according to the resource endowment condition of each province so as to improve the level of forest ecological security.
Highlights
China aims to reach a carbon peak by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.Forest resources have played a positive role in protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions
It is recommended to take targeted measures to reduce the intensity of forest cutting and the incidence of forest disasters, improve the utilization efficiency of forest resources, the productivity of forestland and the input-output level of forestry industry, and strengthen the training of professional talents and technical input according to the resource endowment condition of each province so as to improve the level of forest ecological security
Based on the review of the existing literature, we propose the following research hypotheses: firstly, there is obvious heterogeneity of forest ecological security (FES) in various provinces; secondly, the level of FES is gradually improving; thirdly, the spatial distribution of FES level in China exhibits dynamic changes over time; and there are certain differences in the important factors that hinder the improvement of FES levels in each province
Summary
China aims to reach a carbon peak by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.Forest resources have played a positive role in protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions. In order to alleviate the environmental problems and promote the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, the Chinese government has implemented ecological projects such as the Natural Forest Protection Program, the Conversion of Cropland into Forests Program, and the Key Shelterbelt Development Programs in the Three-North Region [5]. In these endeavors, the development of FES measurement and the diagnosis of obstacle factors are helpful for the government to formulate forest ecological security monitoring and early warning standards so as to provide decision-making references for the realization of sustainable economic and social development
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