China's Forest Policy for the 21st Century

Abstract

A half-century policy of forest exploitation and monoculture in China has led to disastrous consequences, including degradation of forests and landscapes, loss of biodiversity, unacceptable levels of soil erosion, and catastrophic flooding. A new forest policy had been adopted in China called the Natural Forest conservation Program (NFCP), which emphasizes expansion of natural forests and increasing the productivity of forest plantations. Through locally focused management strategies, biodiversity and forest resources will be sustained, and downstream regions will be better protected from flooding. This new policy is being implemented with a new combination of policy tools, including technical training and education, land management planning, mandatory conversion of marginal farmlands to forest, resettlement and retaining of forest dwellers, share in private ownership, and expanded research. These policy tools may have wider relevance for other countries, particularly developing countries.

Reconnecting to the Biosphere

“…The ability of most of these programs to actually improve natural capital has not been determined, but the diversity of efforts and approaches illustrates the attractiveness of enhancing natural capital. Following severe droughts in 1997 and massive flooding in 1998, China has, over the current decade, started to implement ecosystem service investments through several national forestry and conservation initiatives, exceeding 700 9 10 9 yuan (about US$100 9 10 9 ) (Zhang et al 2000;Liu et al 2008). Over 120 million farmers (in over 30 million households) are directly involved in the programs.…”

Recent land cover changes on the Tibetan Plateau: a review

“…In 1998, the Chinese central government recognized the disastrous consequences of forest degradation resulting in the loss of biodiversity, unacceptable levels of soil erosion and catastrophic flooding. A new forest policy called the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP) was implemented in 1998 (Zhang et al 2000). Reforestation of the eroded semi-desert landscape of the southeast TP might be extremely difficult, but still appears to have a huge potential (Miehe et al 2003).…”

Modeling Impacts of Climate Change on Giant Panda Habitat

“…During the past decade the Chinese government has enacted two major initiatives to protect forest and restore giant panda habitat. These include the Grain-to-Green Program, which compensates farmers for returning steep cropland to forest, and the Natural Forest Conservation Program, which bans harvest of natural forests and provides economic incentives to locals for enforcement against tree harvest [7,70]. Research in Wolong Nature Reserve suggests that these International Journal of Ecology 9 programs have helped restore habitat [71].…”