Analyzing the outcomes of China's ecological compensation scheme for development‐related biodiversity loss

Abstract

Over the past three decades, China's government has implemented many projects under its ecological compensation policy, including paying compensation fees for habitat creation to redress natural habitat losses caused by development. However, a critical evaluation of both the policy design and its ecological outcomes, has not previously been carried out. We assemble diverse data sources to provide the first evaluation of China's eco‐compensation policy and practice, identifying several challenges. In policy, the pricing of forest restoration fees is insufficient in several provinces, and there is no requirement for use of biodiversity metrics or for ecological equivalence of compensation and losses. In practice, only 23% of a sample of 31 developments applied quantitative biodiversity metrics, and fewer than 1% of China's local governments have disclosed information regarding compensation implementation. Thus, to improve the validity of its compensation policy and practice to better secure biodiversity, China may need to embrace higher compensation standards, having first prevented ecological losses where possible. Equally important, China may also need to improve compensation governance for data tracking and conservation effectiveness monitoring.

Why Have China’s Poverty Eradication Policy Resulted in the Decline of Arable Land in Poverty-Stricken Areas?

“…These challenges include a disorderly land use structure, ecological landscape deterioration, exacerbated non-point source pollution from agriculture, etc. Such issues can directly or indirectly obstruct wildlife migration corridors, leading to biodiversity loss, diminishing water resource conservation functions, and impeding the normal flow of ecosystem services in the Qinba Mountain region [65,66].…”

“…biodiversity loss, diminishing water resource conservation functions, and impeding the normal flow of ecosystem services in the Qinba Mountain region [65,66].…”

Monitoring & Evaluation Practices and Project Performance of the Development Projects in China: Study of Yangqu Dam

“…The Yangqu Dam Development Project, situated in China, represents a significant endeavor in the field of infrastructure development and water resource management (Gao, Bull, Baker, Ermgassen & Milner-Gulland, 2023). This project serves as a valuable case study for assessing monitoring and evaluation practices in the context of development projects.…”