Importance of Comprehensive Ecological Restoration of Mountains,Rivers,Forests,Farmland,Lakes and Grass:A Case Study of the Shichuan River

With China's economic development and population growth,China's ecological environment continues to deteriorate.The comprehensive ecosystem restoration of the Shichuan River aims to build an ecosystem containing"mountains,rivers,forests,farmland,lakes and grass"by determining scientific and reasonable thickness of foreign soil,pollution restoration,ecological reconstruction,safeguard measures,etc.It brings new vitality to local ecological environment remodeling and economic development.

Thoughts and Practice of Ecological Protection and Restoration of Mountains, Rivers, Forests, Farmlands, Lakes and Grasslands

The report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stated that it was necessary to establish and practice the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,treat the ecological environment as life,and coordinate the management of mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes and grasslands.In recent years,China has organized a series of pilot projects for the ecological protection and restoration of mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes and grasslands,breaking the boundary between administrative divisions,departmental management and ecological elements,and implementing conservation and restoration oriented towards the improvement of ecosystem services,so as to solve the problem of the lack of overall planning for ecological protection and restoration projects and the separated management of ecological elements.This study systematically elaborated the theoretical basis and connotation characteristics of ecological protection and restoration of mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes and grasslands.It proposed the implementation path of ecological protection and restoration project of mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes and grasslands by taking the water source conservation area of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei as a case,so as to provide reference for the implementation and decision-making management of ecological protection and restoration projects in various regions.

Econometric Analysis of Research Papers on the Project of " Turning Vulnerable Farmland into Forests "

Taking the Database of Chinese Scientific and Technical Periodicals of Chongqing VIP Information Co. ,Ltd. as the statistical analysis source,we analyze the inter-annual trends,the authors institutions,journals distribution,disciplines distribution,paper subjects and authors' cooperation of research papers on the project of " turning vulnerable farmland into forests" in China during the period 1999 -2010,using the bibliometric method. The results show that during the period 1999 -2010,the research on the project of " turning vulnerable farmland into forests" always captured the attention of academia,and the number of research papers annually averaged more than 300; the relevant forestry functional departments at all levels,forestry-related research institutions and universities have paid close attention to the project of " turning vulnerable farmland into forests" in China; the group of core journals researched is concentrated in journals concerning forestry; in addition to forestry and agriculture,the research areas also touch upon economics,environment and other disciplines; the emphasis and hot spot of research are centered on applications, with few basic researches.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Benefits of Project of Returning Farmland to Forests in Henan Province

The project of returning farmland to forest has been implemented and consolidated in Henan Province for 20 years.At present,it is in a critical transition period when the previous round of project of returning farmland to forests has completed and a new round of project of returning farmland to forests has started.Henan Province took counties(cities)with different representations as sample counties for monitoring the benefits of project of returning farmland to forests(key monitoring areas in Henan Province),and monitored social and ecological benefits every year,and has obtained real and scientific monitoring data.

Effects of natural forest conversion and plantation tree species composition on soil macrofauna communities in Northeast China mountains

As primary and secondary forests are being replaced by plantations across the globe,the soil macrofauna community structure is also affected,but little is known about the impact of mixed culture plantations compared with monocultures on the soil macrofauna.To determine the impact of forest conversion on soil macrofauna,we surveyed the soil macrofauna in two broad-leaved and three coniferous monoculture stands and four coniferous-broadleaved mixed stands,and in adjacent reserved secondary stands as a reference.Soil macro fauna community composition was significant affected by forest type,season and their interaction(P<0.05).The abundance,taxa richness and diversity of soil macro fauna changed to different degrees depending on the plantation type.Broadleaved monoculture stands and secondary stands had similar macrofauna abundance and taxa richness,but values were lower in coniferous stands than in secondary stands.The Shannon index for macrofauna in coniferous stands was also the lowest,but the Pielou index did not differ between forest types.The negative effects of the conifer monoculture on soil macro fauna were not present in the mixed stands with broad-leaved trees.Forest conversion impacted soil properties;soil moisture,NO_(3)^(-),and pH were significant drivers of soil macrofauna community structure.The impact of forest conversion on soil macrofauna was closely dependent on tree species composition and diversity.The macro fauna community structure in the broadleaved and the mixed stands were relatively similar to that in the natural forest,and thus recommended for forest conversion in the study area.

Farmers′ Perception to Farmland Conversion: A Questionnaire Survey in Xining City, Qinghai Province, China

China is experiencing a fast process of farmland conversion which is conducted mainly by local governments to fuel economic development.Social tension is aroused and policy makers take great concerns on coordinating interests among different stakeholders,especially for increasing farmers′ interest.The purpose of this study is to get some insights related to land acquisition institution by exploring farmers′ perception to farmland conversion.Participatory Rural Appraisal(PRA) was applied for the investigation in peri-urban area,of Xining City,Qinghai Province,China.The total of 519 householders from 15 villages completed valid questionnaire survey from July to November,2012.The results indicate that farmland conversion has several impacts on farmers′ life.Most farmers are gradually adapting to city life.Higher living expenses and more income are perceived by farmers with average score of 4.21 and 2.69,respectively.The average scores of 2.38 and 2.46 are for improvement of life security and more job opportunities.Farmers expect to get some stable ways of compensation in addition to lump-sum compensation in cash.Stable subsidies every year and obtaining same number of land received strong proposal.And these two options are cited by 49.6% and 43.9% of respondents.Farmland conversion brings about cleaner living condition and more amenities,but lower air visibility and drier air.Results reflect landless farmers′ economic and life pressures and various demands.Local government should pay more attention to increase farmers′ income and improve rural security system.

Soil Erosion Control Degree of the Project of Converting Farmland to Forest in Mountainous Areas at China's Southwest Border:A Case Study in Mangshi,Yunnan Province

There have been few in-depth quantitative studies on soil erosion control and the ecological effects of land use changes.Soil erosion is the first eco-environmental problem particularly in mountainous areas.A major problem in the conversion of farmland to forest is to control soil erosion and improve ecological environment and thus to improve land use sustainability.We report results of calculation and analysis on soil erosion from converted farmland parcels in city of Mangshi (near the SW frontier of China) and the surrounding areas before and after the nine-year (2000-2009) project of converting farmland to forest.There was increased water conservation effect,as a result of decreased soil erosion.The average erosion modulus of the farmland returning to eco-friendly uses decreased by 5,535.59 t/km2?a and the control degree of soil erosion modulus reached 71.00%.The increased soil erosion after the returning in the typical sample area "did not drop,but increased" as the terraced fields decreased but sloping farmland increased and yet woodland decreased.

Microbial biomass in subtropical forest soils： effect of conversion of natural secondary broad-leaved forest to Cunninghamia lanceolata plantation

到 Cunninghamialanceolata 种植园的自然第二等的阔叶的森林的变换是在副热带的中国的一个普通管理惯例。在这研究，我们比较了土壤物理化学的性质，在一天赋的微生物引起的生物资源第二等的 broad-leavedforest 和二 C。在土壤上估计森林变换的效果的 lanceolata 种植园地点在林地生态学的 Huitong 试验性的车站的微生物引起的生物资源，中国科学院。器官的碳，总氮， NH_4^+-N 和微生物引起的生物资源碳和氮多是的土壤的集中在 C 下面降低。lanceolata 种植园作为与自然离开 secondarybroad 的森林相比。在 C 的第一和第二旋转玷污微生物引起的生物资源 C。lanceolataplantations 仅仅是 53% ，那中的 46% 个分别地在自然第二等的阔叶的森林，和微生物引起的生物资源 N 里是 97% 和 79% 。到器官的 Cwas 也在种植园地点降低的土壤的微生物引起的生物资源 C 的贡献。然而，到总氮和 NH_4^+-N 的微生物引起的 N 的贡献在 C 是更大的。lanceolata 种植园地点。因此，到 C 的自然第二等的阔叶的森林的变换。lanceolata 种植园并且 C 的连续的种。lanceolataled 到在土壤的衰落微生物引起的生物资源和在副热带的中国的森林土的降级。

Evaluation of the Land Production Potential in the Context of Returning Farmland to Forest in Karst Region:A Case Study of Guizhou Province

In this paper, we take Guizhou Province (the heart of southwestern Karst region in China) as the research object. By establishing gray forecasting model and time series forecasting model, we conduct the accuracy test on the actual production capacity of land and the forecasted production capacity of land in 2007 and 2008, and then conduct comprehensive forecast of the land production potential in Guizhou Province in 2020. On this basis, considering the nutritional standards needed by three kinds of life type (dressing warmly and eating one's fill, well-off life, relatively affluent life), we evaluate the land production potential in Guizhou Province under the project of returning farmland to forest. Based on the evaluation results, we put forth the relevant recommendations for achieving sustainable land use in the context of returning farmland to forest in Guizhou Province.

Multi-scales Analysis of Driving Forces on Land Use/Cover Change in China:Taking Farmland Returning to Forest or Grassland as a Case

Increasing populations are causing an increase in food demands, and the area of cultivated land expands every year. Inappropriate land transition from ecology to production results in the constant decline of the ecological security level and influences the regional sustainable development. Adjusting unreasonable land use mode and reconstructing natural land cover are important ways to maintain and improve the ecological environment. Also reclaiming farmland as areas for forests and grasslands (FRFG) is another way. Successful implementation of FRFG in China is the result of comprehensive effect of the multi-scales driving forces. This paper analyses the driving forces of FRFG in China on a national (country) –regional (province) – local (county) – household (farmer) level scale, and the results are: driving forces at the national scale include ecological and food security and the western development of China; at the regional scale, ecological and economic benefits become the main factors to influence the dimension of FRFG under the same policy. The driving forces can be divided into 6 types: industrial structure adjustment, water source protection, flood prevention, the Three-Gorge Project protection, reduction of the amount of sediment flowing into the Yellow River and wind erosion desertification prevention. The driving forces at the local scale can be divided into 12 types with developing leading industries, increasing farmers’ income and improving agricultural production conditions as the main types; at the household scale, the nationalpolicy meeting farmers’ demands and the optimization of individual interests are all driving forces.

Conversion of Andean montane forest to exotic forest plantation modifies soil physicochemical properties in the buffer zone of Ecuador's Podocarpus National Park

Background:Andean montane forests(AMF)are biodiversity hotspots that provide fundamental hydrological services as well as carbon storage and sequestration.In recent decades,southern Ecuador AMFs have been seriously threatened by increased logging and conversion to forest plantations with exotic species.In this context,our main objective was to evaluate the effects of AMF conversion to forest plantations on soil physicochemical properties in the buffer zone(Bz)of the Podocarpus National Park(PNP),in southern Ecuador.For this purpose,random samples were taken at a depth of 0-10 cm in four plots in each contrast zone and analyzed for bulk density,porosity,textural class,leaf litter depth,soil pH,as well as the contents of organic matter(SOM),soil organic carbon(SOC),total nitrogen,and available phosphorus and potassium.Results:The results indicate that the conversion of AMFs produces an increase in bulk density and a decrease in SOM,SOC,and total nitrogen contents,thus modifying soil properties,which could result in a decrease in water regulation capacity and produce an increased risk of soil erosion.This accelerates degradation processes,as well as threatens shortages of the drinking water supply.Conclusions:This study can help decision-makers to implement soil management plans in the Bz of the PNP,based on the implementation of new regulations,where the conservation of AMF is promoted.In addition,it is recommended to apply environmental restoration strategies in the anthropized areas of the AMF,as well as in the areas with exotic eucalyptus and pine plantations.

Follow-up industry development of area converting degraded farmland into forest: A case study of Guizhou Province

The farmland to forest project has a signifi cant promoting role on ecological civilization; the follow-up industry development is the key to consolidating achievements of the farmland to forest project. Using the survey data of farmland farmers, this article analyzes the status and development of the followup industry in Guizhou province. The results show that the follow-up industry development quality is low, the follow-up industry development willingness is weak, the follow-up industry development ability is poor, and the follow-up industry sustained development is insuffi cient. Further analysis indicates that the follow-up industry development lack of funds, technical and system of policy support. Policy implications are discussed focusing on improving policy system, the follow-up industry development strategy, the follow-up industry development planning, and development with the combination of development strategy of Guizhou province.

Returning Farmland to Forest, Forest Management and Permanent Forest : Thinking on High-quality Development of Returning Farmland to Forest

In the first round of returning farmland to forest,many places in Hubei Province have vigorously developed ecological forests dominated by pine,fir and cypress,to improve the fragile ecological situation as soon as possible.At present,this kind of ecological forests are facing the dilemma of more pure forests,higher density and less management,with worse economic benefits.To realize high-quality development of these stands,it is necessary to carry out forest management guided by the close-to-nature concept.These stands will be transformed into permanent forests with multi tree species,multi age classes,multi levels and continuous coverage,to realize organic unity of economic,ecological and social benefits.

Estimation of Relative Ecological Value of Returning Farmland to Forest & Mountain Enclosure for Grazing Prohibition——A case study in Yongxing Township of Jingyuan County,Gansu Province

[Objective]Returning farmland to forest and mountain enclosure for grazing prohibition ecological effect and economy rationality were explored.[Methods]A case study of returning farmland to forest and barren hills grazing prohibition in Yongxing Township of Jingyuan County was used to discuss and estimate the relative ecological function and relative ecological value.[Results]1）The ecological value of the forest of returning farmland was far more than the sum of the ecological value of farm crops and the agricultural output,and also more than the national subsidy standard.So the state policy of returning farmland to forests is not only favorable to local eco-environment restoration,but also reasonable in economic development.2）The ecological value of mountain enclosure for grazing prohibition was less than the opportunity cost of prohibiting grazing,also less than the national subsidy standard.The sum of the relative ecological value of prohibiting grazing and the state subsidies was more than the opportunity cost of prohibiting grazing.However,the ecological value of new vegetation through returning farmland to forest project was greater than the China＇s average ecological value of grassland.[Conclusion]The relative ecological value can be used to solve the problems in the equivalent conversion among various ecological indexes and between ecological indexes and economic indexes.

Research of Mechanism on the Impact of Local Governmental Competition on Farmland Conversion

In the perspective of local governmental competition, the impact of local governmental competition on farmland conversion is analyzed in terms of political competition, factors competition and products competition, and the empirical analysis is conducted according to the provincial data from 2002 to 2007. The results show that the endowment of land resources correlates negatively with the scale of farmland conversion, and the population, the tendency of exceeding capital investment and the competition of research and development input correlate positively with the scale of farmland conversion. According to these research results, corresponding policies and countermeasures are put forward: we should overhaul the system of performance evaluation of local governmental officials; we should normalize the local governmental competitive behavior.

Effects of Different Modes of Returning Farmland to Forest on Physicochemical Properties of Soil in Bashang Area of Northern Hebei Province

[Objective]The research aimed to understand the change rules of physicochemical properties of soil in the different modes of returning farmland to forest.[Method]The physicochemical properties of soil in three different types of returning farmland to forest(Hippophae rhamnoides Linn.forest,Caragana korshinskii forest and Ulmus pumila L.forest)were analyzed by taking the enclosed grassland as comparison in Bashang area of northern Hebei Province.[Result]The results showed that there were significant differences among different types.Order of the bulk density of soil:H.rhamnoides Linn.forest(1.17 g/cm^3)<U.pumila L.forest(1.24 g/cm^3)<C.korshinskii forest(1.26 g/cm^3)<enclosed grassland(1.61 g/cm^3);order of the total porosity of soil:H.rhamnoides Linn.forest(55.29%)>U.pumila L.forest(52.55%)>C.korshinskii forest(51.93%)<enclosed grassland(38.85%);order of the organic matter content of soil:H.rhamnoides Linn.forest(3.191%)>C.korshinskii forest(3.128%)>U.pumila L.forest(2.804%)>enclosed grassland(2.536%).[Conclusion]After returning farmland to forest,vegetation played a positive role in physicochemical properties of soil.There were significant differences in physicochemical properties of soil among different modes of returning farmland to forest,and the improvement effect of H.rhamnoides Linn.forest on physicochemical properties of soil was the best.

Eco-environment Restoration and Regional Differentiation Characteristics Based on “Building Terrace and Returning Slope Farmland to Forests and Grass”

Based on the scientific and technological achievements in the past decade in the Loess Hilly-gully Region and the successful demonstration experience in Yan'an Yangou watershed, we summarize the characteristics of eco-environment restoration pattern based on "building terrace and returning slope farmland to forests and grass". According to the data on land use, slope farmland and the agricultural population in 1999, we calculate the area of new terrace that needs to be built, the area of garden plot that needs to be extended, vegetation restoration area and investment demand in counties (cities, districts). Establishing and using some indicators, such as basic farmland extension indicator, garden plot extension indicator, vegetation restoration index and investment demand density, we conduct type classification and analysis of regional differentiation characteristics in 55 counties (cities, districts). The results show that in the Loess Hilly-gully Region, 691 600 hm2 of new terrace needs to be built, 792 000 hm2 of economic forests and orchards need to be extended, 5 410 200 hm2 of vegetation needs to be restored, and the total investment demand is 15.82 billion yuan; in terms of geographical distribution, obviously there are two key areas for eco-environment restoration (one is located in the border area between northern Shaanxi and northwestern Shanxi, and the other is located in the eastern Gansu and southern Ningxia area); the classified regional guidance policies should be formulated as soon as possible, and the limited funds should be concentrated in the key areas.

Carbon Storage in Agroecosystems: A Case Study of the Cocoa Based Agroforestry in Ogbese Forest Reserve, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Large areas of the indigenous tropical forests in the southwestern part of Nigeria are being converted into agricultural lands and this has been reported to have serious implications for biodiversity and the environment. Cocoa based agroforestry is one of the common agricultural practices in this region and comparative information on the carbon storage capacity of the cocoa agroforests is generally lacking. In this study the above-ground carbon storage and partitioning in a protected primary forest were evaluated and compared with those of the two categories of cocoa agroforests (sparse and dense) identified in the area. Above-ground biomass accumulation and carbon stock varied significantly with land use type, with the primary rainforest having the highest values and sparse cocoa agroforests having the lowest. A reduction in above-ground carbon stock of 89.82% and 71.20% was observed 10 years after conversion of tropical rainforest to sparse and dense cocoa agroforests respectively.

Evaluating Contribution of Trees Outside Forests for Income of Rural Livelihoods of Terai Region of Nepal

Trees Outside Forests (TOF) is a reliable source of income for farmers in rural area but study regarding this has not been explored in depth yet. Therefore, this study was objectively conducted to assess the contribution of income from TOF products in annual income of rural household. Dhangadimai Municipality of Siraha district, Nepal was selected as study site. Altogether, 300 household surveys and 20 Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted to find the income sources and their contribution including TOF. The descriptive analysis and unitary method were applied to analyze the collected data. The off-farm income was US$ 1802.57 in total per household. Among it, the highest income was from remittance around US$ 762.34 (42.29%) and the lowest from government job around US$ 166.68 (9.25%). The farm based total annual income per household was US$ 685.94 on which, the highest income was US$ 220.28 (32.11%) from grains and the lowest income was US$ 0.04 from ploughing other farmers’ field. The total value of livestock of average household was US$ 805.99 and out of this, the highest value was of buffalo i.e. US$ 333.01. At the same time, annual income from TOF product was about US$ 853.31 in total per household. Out of this, the highest income was approximately US$ 521.90 (61.16%) from fruits followed by US$ 214.77 (25.17%) from selling of timber. The highest net income per household was US$ 448.66 respectively from selling timber by rich family while US$ 233.78 for medium family. In addition, the net income from selling fruit by rich, medium and poor family was US$ 427.82, 550.71, and 382.43 respectively. Specifically, the total contribution of income only from TOF product was US$ 853.3027 (20.57%). This research will be useful document to develop the economic policy related to TOFs in different agroforestry

THE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF THE LAND RESOURCES SYSTEM IN THE FARMLAND SHELTER FOREST REGION IN THE NORTHEAST PLAIN

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