Search

The international community is paying more and more attention to the role of forests in CO2 absorption. This study aims the broad leaved forest carbon sinks in China, on the basis of research on coniferous forest carbon sinks in 1981 and 2014, the paper analyses the changes in broad leaved forest carbon sinks and the relations between the changes and the forest economics and management from 1981 to 2015 using the forest stock volume conversion method. The paper selects the common indexes of forest economics and management such as investment in forestry-fixed assets in silviculture and afforestation, the annual gross domestic product (GDP) values for the forestry sector, and management level improvement. The paper first of all establishes carbon sink estimates, and then analyses recent carbon sink trends of the dominant species of broad leaved forest which is based on six times inventories of China's forest resources. The inventory data cover the four dominant broad-leaved species which are named as Oak, Betula, Populus, and others, such as Eucalyptus, Camphor, and Linden. The paper shows that a significant effect has been made by the forest carbon sinks of these species and investment in forestry-fixed assets in silviculture and afforestation, management level improvement etc. though with a lag of 4–7 years, and there raises a lot of discussions of various problems regarding forest carbon sinks and forest management and economic development. This study has important implications for forest resource management and climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the construction of ecological civilization, the development of under-forest economy has been paid more and more attention. This paper uses DEA model to measure the development of under-forest economy. The results show that the development of the under-forest contributes to the increase of the output value, and thus promotes the growth of the farmers’ income. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Forestland tenure and financial incentives are the most important policy issue to sustainable forest resource management. The new wave of reform of collective forestland tenure (NRCFT) has been launched since 2003 and the governmental matching reform measures (MRMs) for the NRCFT have been introduced since 2009. The objective of these reforms is to enhance sustainable forest resource management in Chinese collective regions by encouraging rural households’ productive forest inputs. We use a unique dataset of 1778 sample households in 18 counties of nine provinces with six years and employ a fixed effects model with clustered standard errors. Our empirical results indicate that: 1) the NRCFT has increased households’ forestland area of different tenure types, and the effects of the MRMs on rural households’ labor input and production expenditures for forestry purposes are generally positive, especially household used forestland as collateral for a loan and afforestation or reafforestation subsidy and reform of Annual Allowance Cut (AAC) have significantly contributed to increase in the use of productive forest inputs; 2) the NRCFT and the MRMs have different impacts on the use of productive forest inputs for different tenure forests, and these reforms have caused the most significant changes in rural households’ production decision changes for household responsibility forestland; 3) both the NRCFT and the MRMs have significant effects on rural households’ rent-in and rent-out forestland; and 4) forestland fragmentations have caused additional labor and investment inputs for rural households’ forest resource management and protection. And finally, market drivers and household and village characteristics factors also affect households’ decisions for productive inputs for their managing forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 65 years, forest tenure in China has oscillated unpredictably between private and village property regimes. This policy-induced uncertainty has distorted the harvesting decisions of individuals granted rights to grow trees and has lowered the value of China׳s forest output. We provide an analytical framework for assessing these effects quantitatively. Understanding the consequences of this policy-induced uncertainty is particularly important since China is currently engaged in an ambitious plan to increase its domestic supply of timber. To conduct this analysis, we extend the literature on forestry economics when there is a risk of loss due to forest fire or pests. We (1) take account of the possibility that replanting can only resume after an interval of uncertain length (with immediate replanting as a special Case); (2) investigate the effects of compensation for such losses based only on the net value of the stand of trees at the time of the loss; and (3) compare it to compensation that would leave the wealth and rotation decisions of the farmer unaffected by the presence of uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

State-owned forestry enterprises are important elements of the forestry economy in China. The operational efficiency of such enterprises depends on technological progress and other input factors. Total factor productivity (TFP) is an important means to evaluate the efficiency of technical elements. The growth of production efficiency can be classified into efficiency variation and technical variation. The TFP of 135 key state-owned forestry enterprises in the northeast, southwest, and northwest regions of China in 2001-2011 was measured through Malmquistfidata envelopment analysis. The technological progress of the state-owned forestry enterprises positively affected TFP variation, but technical efficiency only slightly increased and scale efficiency even negatively affected TFP variation. The average growth rate of TFP in the northwest region is higher than those in the northeast and southwest regions. The Western Development Program of China increasingly contributes to the economic development of western areas. The increasing investment of the government in science and technology accelerates the development of forestry economy in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe loss of soil and water on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) has caused enormous pressure on social and economic development. To restore the ecological environment and boost the economy, the government has invested heavily in afforestation programmes and encouraged local farmers to plant trees that are economically productive. Although these measures have led to considerable increases in the economic value of forests and some farmers' income, negative effects on the environment, such as deep soil desiccation, soil erosion, and environmental pollution, have increased over time. Our field observations show that non-native forests are not well suited to controlling soil erosion unless a protective ground herb cover is also present. To identify the natural vegetation type on the CLP, pollen records from various topographic units were collected and synthesized. The results show that herbs, mainly from the Poaceae and Asteraceae families, were dominant during both the cold-dry period and warm-humid period. The reason for the dominance of these species is that the moisture in the surface soil is insufficient to sustain forests in the CLP where rainwater infiltrates quickly into the thick, loose loess. The ecological restoration of herbs from the Poaceae and Asteraceae families on the CLP should be considered a priority, and trees can grow well only in areas covered by thin loess deposits with efficient underlying water-resisting layers and a high underground water table. Because Asteraceae are such an important source of medicines, the CLP has great potential to be an important centre for Chinese medicinal herb production. We therefore recommend an expansion of the cultivation of medicinal herbs at the expense of high-value economic trees and pasture grasses, both of which consume large quantities of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although efforts in improving forest rights across developing countries are growing, de jure property rights and physical ownership of forests do not automatically enable farmers to obtain benefits from forests. Their access to forest benefits is limited by a range of legal and extralegal mechanisms. This case study describes a notable pattern of timber-harvest governance in China, in which centralized quota setting and allocation allow rent-seeking behavior on the part of powerful local elites who control timber harvest and trade by handing out logging permits, and who also reap the greatest proportion of benefits. It is argued that excluding farmers from harvesting and trade discourages them from investing in forest conservation over the long term. This calls for a policy to gradually remove the quota system so that farmers can obtain forest benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Forestry is a fundamental industry of national economy. In social development of human beings, forestry plays an essential role in expanding employment, realizing rural prosperity and safeguarding ecological safety. This paper firstly introduced current development situations of forestry in Jilin Province. Then, it analyzed influence of factor input on forestry economic growth of Jilin Province by linear regression analysis method. Finally, it came up with pertinent recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firstly, this paper analyzed current situations, major practice and existing problems of under-forest economy in Henan Province. Then, it made an in-depth discussion of guiding thought, principle and objectives, construction task and safeguarding measures of the under-forest economic development plan. Besides, it analyzed benefits of the under-forest economic development plan. By 2017, the area of under-forest economic land will reach 1. 60 million hm², create output value of 155.2 billion yuan (accounting for more than 20% of forest output value), provide 3.27 million jobs, and will greatly increase ecological carrying capacity of construction and development of the Central Plains Economic Region (CPER). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With regard to the implementation of the Collective Forestry Tenure Reform in China, the proportion of forestry income in farmers’ total family income has gradually increased with rapid increases observed in some provinces. Due to these regional disparities, it is important to analyze the spatial distribution and evolutionary trends of farmers’ forestry income to uncover the underlying factors for the existing distribution and note gradual changes from the perspective of economic geography. When spatial distribution and evolutionary trends of farmers’ forestry income data from 31 provinces from 2000 to 2012 were analyzed, we found that farmers’ forestry income during the 13-yr period grew quickly, but the disparities between the highest and lowest income rates gradually widened as large increases in income within a few provinces constituted the bulk of the overall increase across China. We attribute the observed spatial distribution and evolutionary trends to an imbalanced distribution of forestry resources, varying forest species, complicated forestry ownership, multiple forestry policies, differences of labor, and forestry investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying the main sources of conflict and understanding the relationships between protected areas and local communities are critical to conflict resolution related to protected area management. We surveyed and assessed the perceptions of local people related to forest values of the Bulong Nature Reserve (BNR), Yunnan, China, and their attitudes toward forest management of the recently-established nature reserve. Factors influencing the differences in perceptions and attitudes were investigated. Our results indicated local residents preferred the economic value of forests, and they perceived more forest values after reserve establishment than before, especially for ecological services. Interviewees believed the value of the forests have increased, and predicted that the forest will have increased importance to their livelihoods and health in the future. Nonetheless, the majority of interviewees were dissatisfied with current reserve management. Variation in these perceptions and attitudes were related to several social variables: age, gender, education, and distance from the reserve. Embedding the findings of the present study, specifically the perceptions and attitudes of local people, into management guidelines for mitigation of potential conflicts is proposed and should help managers to achieve biodiversity-related goals. This study offers new insights related to the identification of the underlying sources of conflict in forest management and provides a better understanding of the relationship between local people and protected areas. The study also contributes to the literature on forest values of indigenous populations by examining those of remote, rural populations in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated perceptions of a group of Chinese and Indian state forestry professionals (SFPs) related to the potential benefits and challenges of developing forest-based bioenergy projects (FBPs) in their countries. A total of 110 SFPs participated in the study (55 from each country). The results showed that the SFPs widely agreed upon the potential economic and ecological benefits from developing FBPs in their countries. The economic benefits of job creation and additional income to forest departments were the two most accepted benefits by the SFPs. Two potential challenges of developing FBPs-- namely, the lack of suitable technologies and the absence of supportive policies--were considered the most significant by the SFPs. Principal component analysis revealed three key dimensions (ecological, economic and social) of the SFPs' perceptions of FBPs. The findings from the study imply that in order to become viable, the development of FBPs in these two countries must put emphasis on the sustainability aspects by addressing the environmental, economic and societal elements of FBPs. In addition, framing supportive policies, the development of technologies and building infrastructure for FBPs are needed for their successful implementation in China and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The direct and all (including direct and indirect) effects of the Key Priority Forest Programs on rural households’ income inequality have been estimated. [•] After the launch of the KPFPs, production inputs of rural households has been changing to narrow the income disparity. [•] The governmental policies have caused rural households’ income inequality. [•] 1458 sample households in 15 counties have been used for the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses how tenure reform in China's collective forest sector affects Chinese farmer households’ perception of tenure security and propensity to invest in their forestland. A large database consisting of information from 3,180 households in eight provinces from south to north is used to explore factors correlated with more strongly perceived tenure security and determinants of forest-related investment. The study adds to the limited research testing whether there is endogenous causality between investment and tenure security in forestland, and finds that investment was not undertaken to enhance tenure security. In addition, the data allow for differentiation between perceived tenure security and contracted use and transferability rights. Overall, stronger contracted rights were found to affect investment. China's forest tenure reform – where individual households can manage forestland, empowered by legal certification and stronger contract rights – has thus enhanced tenure security and encouraged forest investment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: China’s forest bioenergy policies are evolving against the backdrop of pressing national energy challenges similar to those faced by OECD countries, and chronic rural energy challenges more characteristic of developing countries. Modern forest bioenergy could contribute to solutions to both of these challenges. However, because of limitations in current technologies and institutions, significant policy and resource commitments would be required to make breakthroughs in either commercializing forest bioenergy or modernizing rural energy systems in China. Given the potential attention, funding, and resource trade-offs between these two goals, we provide an argument for why the focus of China’s forest bioenergy policy should initially be on addressing rural energy challenges. The paper concludes with a discussion on strategies for laying the groundwork for a modern, biomass-based energy infrastructure in rural China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Over the past two decades, China has undertaken unprecedented forest programs in an effort to restore damaged ecosystems and increasing farmers’ income. Using survey results of 2070 rural households in 15 counties of six provinces, we estimate the effects of China''s Priority Forest Programs (PFPs) on rural households’ income mobility. The effects of the area enrolled in the PFPs on rural households are mixed. It appears that larger area enrolled in the Industrial Timber Plantation Program and the Sloping Land Conversion Program pushed up rural households’ income mobility, whereas greater area enrolled in the Natural Forest Protection Program constrained their income mobility, and the size of enrollment in the Desertification Combating Program around Beijing and Tianjin and the Shelterbelt Development Program in the Three-North Regions and the Yangtze River Basin seem to have little effect on rural households’ income mobility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Afforestation of native-tree species is often recommended for ecological restoration, but the understanding of ecological processes of restored vegetation is limited. We investigated the population structure and spatial distribution patterns of restored forest in mine spoil of Pingshuo opencast mine, Shanxi Province, China. After 17 years’ development, three planted species (ROPS, ULPU and AIAL) showed significant aggregation although they were regularly distributed at plantation and characterized with great variability in abundance (from 570 to 1817) although they had equal density at plantation. ROPS became the dominant species, especially in the naturally regenerated medium individuals with 3

Abstract: The Mountain-River-Lake Program (MRL) was implemented since 25 years ago in the Poyang Lake basin, southern China. It consists of series of forest restoration projects that aim to address severe soil and water losses, and improve farmer''s livelihoods. To assess the effectiveness of the program, systematic planning, integrated research and comprehensive monitoring were used to illustrate how forest restoration projects that consider both ecological, social and economic perspectives can improve both the environment and society, and eradicate the “ecological-poverty trap”. We found that the overall ecological effects of the program are beneficial, and the socioeconomic effects are mostly positive. Forest plantations covering 4.92×106 ha were established, which promoted increased forest coverage from a minimum of 26.98% to 60.05% at present. The amount of carbon storage in forest increased significantly, with net carbon sequestration of plantation forests increased from 2.29TgC/year to 10.52TgC/year. The results also indicated that the area of land affected by heavy and severe soil erosion has decreased by 55.2% and 53.6%, respectively, while the water holding capacity was 25.2% higher in 2009 than that in 1990. The net income for farmers was almost 6 times greater than that before the program, and the number of people living below the poverty line decreased from 10 million to 0.865 million. This assessment has confirmed that if we cannot improve the livelihood of local communities and encourage them to participate in such programs, we will be unable to restore and manage degraded environments. The continuing and future impacts of the program may be even greater, and will provide important lessons and experiences for other ecological restoration programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Both in Germany and in China, there is strong expertise regarding the different aspects of forest management, as well as forest products management. Nevertheless, forestry in both countries is facing challenges, some of which are regional, but many of which are shared. Therefore, experts from both countries (Technical University of Munich Germany; Northwest A&F University Yangling, China; Forestry Academy of Shaanxi, China; Thünen Institut, Germany; FEDRC GIZ Forest Policy Facility (Forestry Economics Development and Research Center of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), Germany; and Center for Natural Forest Protection in Shaanxi, China) met to share their knowledge and deduce recommendations for future multifunctional forest management for the temperate zone. The workshop, held at the Northwest A&F University in September 2018, included presentations and intensive discussions, as well as a field tour. The results of the workshop that are summarized in this white paper are meant to provide an overview of the multi-faceted nature of the topic for interested scientists and forest practitioners, describe tools that can be used to analyze various aspects of multifunctionality and, in an exemplary fashion, highlight gathered experience from long- and short-term experiments. Included are social demands, economic goals, and scientific baselines. The topics reach from economic evaluations of forest ecosystem services over forest management practices, including afforestation, restoration, and preparations to face climate change, to wood/forest products utilization and participation of local people for poverty reduction. Overall, an optimistic picture emerges, showing that by using adapted forest management practices, which try to embrace the concept of multifunctionality, various use schemes and demands can be integrated at single sites, allowing us to achieve both environmental protection and productive forests, including societal demands, as well as aspects of tradition and national identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]