A review of ecological mechanisms for management practices of protective forests

A protective forest,including shelterbelt,windbreak,and shelter forest as its synonyms,is characterized by the protective functions of various forest types distributed or planted on ecologically fragile areas or nearby the objects that need to be protected using the ecological effects of forests.Ecological mechanisms for management practices of protective forests is one of the disciplinary orientations in forest ecology and management.Most protective forest studies are dependent on forestry eco-engineering,such as the Great Plains Shelterbelt Project in the United States,the Great Plan for the Transformation of Nature in the Soviet Union,and the Three-North Afforestation Program in China.The development of sustainable management of protective forests has been given increasing attention by governments,scientists,and media due to their impacts on environment conservation and global change.We introduce forestry ecoengineering and provide a review of their main ecological mechanisms for management practices of protective forests.Ecological mechanisms for management systems currently applied are emphasized,i.e.,the theory of protection maturity and phase-directional management;the relationship between structure and protective functions and structural optimization measures;and,the decline mechanism and ecological restoration strategies.In addition,several unresolved problems in management practices of protective forests are discussed as well as the prospects for ecological mechanisms for management practices of protective forests in the future,which include:(1)theories and technologies for management practices of protective forests at the landscape or regional scale;(2)the decline mechanisms and corresponding ecological restoration approaches across multiple scales;and,(3)the comprehensive assessment of forestry eco-engineering at large-scales based on ecosystem principles.

SITE CLASSIFICATION FOR PROTECTIVE FOREST AFFORESTATION ON THE COAST OF CHINA

Land for protective forest on the coast has special site conditions, and site classification is the scientific basis for seaboard afforestation. The site classification system on the coast zone and islands of China may be classified into five levels-site region (sub - region), district, class, group, and type. The land division for afforestation is carried out by the principle of enviornmental heterogeneity among regions, sub-region and district on large scale, according to the difference of air temperature, moisture and type of coast geomorphy. It may be classified into 7 regions, 12 sub-regions and 55 districts. The medium and small scaled division for site class, group and type, subdivided in a site district, are based on medium topography, topographic climate, micro - relief and soil conditions.

Predicting equations of main factors affecting regional climate in the"Three-North" Protective Forest Area

The relationship between the change of forest resources and climatic factor in the, “Three-North” region of China were studied in this paper. The predicting equations of climatic factor (dependent variable) with regional independent variable (longitude, latitude and altitude) and stand independent variable (forest coverage rate), were developed by extensively using the linear and nonlinear regression methods. With these models, we can calculate the ecological benefit of Shelter-belt forest.

Characterizing conservative and protective needs of the aridland forests of Sudan

Forests in the aridlands of Sudan are distinctive in nature and require special attention due to the great role they play as a first and last line of defense against southward desertification.Thus,to determine their conservative and protective needs based on current conditions in the Wad Al-Bashir Forest(WF),toward ensuring sustainable forest resources in these areas,we used a systematic field survey,existing and available documents review and key informant interviews(KII),to collect data from 08 December 2017 to 15 May 2018.A severe depletion and changes in the forest tree cover and composition were found during the field survey,where species such as Balanitis aegyptiaca is threatened and invasive species(e.g.,Acacia nubica)have started to dominate.Reviewed documents have credited illegal cutting and agricultural activities for the changes in the forest status,whereas the KII indicated that past and current forest conservative and protective practices(CPPs),where forest clearance for agricultural,grazing,pests and disease control,were not given a deserved consideration as they relate to tree cutting and reforestation practices.Likewise,negligence of the needs of those who depend on the forest and inadequate funds have constrained implementation of some CPPs.Accordingly,on the basis of the results of this study,we recommend that CPPs associated with agriculture,grazing,forest fire,pest and disease control should be a top priority concern of forest authorities.Better financial support,which could be enriched by involving governmental and non-governmental organizations,is also needed to boost CPPs in the WF.Invasive species also need to be cleared and replaced by trees such as A.senegal and B.aegyptiaca that are of economic and environmental value.

Problems and relevant strategies on natural forest protection in Changbai Mountain forest area

Changbai Mountain forest area is not only is a national timber base but also a green ecological defense for Songliao Plain of NE China. The Natural Forest Protection Project of this area has an important bearing on the social and economic sustainable development of Jilin Province or even the whole forest area in NE China. This paper summarized general conditions of natural forest in Changbai Mountain state-owned forest area and put forward six problems need to be urgently solved and five strategic suggestions on natural forest protection and sustainable management.

Protection and Utilization of Cultural Landscape in a Forest Park in Ethnic Minority Region ——With a Case of Zhangjiajie

Presently, more and more attention is paid to cultural landscapes by peo-ple at travel ing, especial y for folk culture in ethnic minority regions where rich hu-man landscapes could be ful y made use of to improve landscape quality. In the research, cultural landscapes in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park were surveyed and evaluated to analyze characters of cultural utilization, as wel as problems existing in the Park. In addition, highlights were given to protection on cultural landscapes in a forest park construction, presentation of ethnic minority culture, and ful development of tourism products.

Study on Mosuo's Sacred Natural Sites of Mountainous Forest and Protection of Biological Diversity in Yongning-Lugu Lake Area

With Mosuo's sacred natural sites of mountainous forest in Yongning-Lugu Lake area as the research subject,by using the method of ecology,the vegetation type in this area was initially identified.The control sample plot of the same vegetation type at similar altitude and in similar soil condition would be selected and compared with the sample plot in sacred natural sites at length,so as to quantitatively analyze the protection of biological diversity in the perspective of ecological system.It showed that under the circumstance of the damage of ecological environment,complete natural vertical pattern was preserved thanks to sacred natural sites of mountainous forest established by reason of traditional religion and culture.The results of research and quantitative analysis showed that compared with the control sample plot of the same vegetation type,sacred natural sites were high in biological diversity and the species composition of plant community in sacred natural sites was closer to that of primitive forest.The result of quantitative analysis also indicated that sacred natural sites played a remarkable role in protecting vegetation and this protective function became more remarkable if the altitude was higher.And human were reminded to pay close attention to the preservation and protection function of sacred natural sites to natural ecological system at high altitude.

A statistical analysis of spatiotemporal variations and determinant factors of forest carbon storage under China's Natural Forest Protection Program

The Natural Forest Protection Program(NFPP)is one of the key ecological forestry programs in China.It not only facilitates the improvement of forest ecological quality in NFPP areas,but also plays a significant role in increasing the carbon storage of forest ecosystems.The program covers 17 provinces,autonomous regions,and municipalities with correspondingly diverse forest resources and environments,ecological features,engineering measures and forest management regimes,all of which affect regional carbon storage.In this study,volume of timber harvest,tending area,pest-infested forest,firedamaged forest,reforestation,and average annual precipitation,and temperature were evaluated as factors that influence carbon storage.We developed a vector autoregression model for these seven indicators and we studied the dominant factors of carbon storage in the areas covered by NFPP.Timber harvest was the dominant factorinfluencing carbon storage in the Yellow and Yangtze River basins.Reforestation contributed most to carbon storage in the state-owned forest region in Xinjiang.In state-owned forest regions of Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces,the dominant factors were forest fires and forest cultivation,respectively.For the enhancement of carbon sequestration capacity,a longer rotation period and a smaller timber harvest are recommended for the Yellow and Yangtze River basins.Trees should be planted in stateowned forests in Xinjiang.Forest fires should be prevented in state-owned forests in Heilongjiang,and greater forest tending efforts should be made in the state-owned forests in Jilin.

Biomass Carbon Storage and Its Sequestration Potential of Afforestation under Natural Forest Protection Program in China

Based on the data from China′s Seventh Forest Inventory for the period of 2004–2008, area and stand volume of different types and age-classes of plantation were used to establish the relationship between biomass density and age of planted forests in different regions of the country. Combined with the plantation area in the first-stage of the Natural Forest Protection(NFP) program(1998–2010), this study calculated the biomass carbon storage of the afforestation in the first-stage of the program. On this basis, the carbon sequestration potential of these forests was estimated for the second stage of the program(2011–2020). Biomass carbon storage of plantation established in the first stage of the program was 33.67 Tg C, which was majority accounted by protection forests(30.26 Tg C). There was a significant difference among carbon storage in different regions, which depended on the relationship of biomass carbon density, forest age and plantation area. Under the natural growth, the carbon storage was forecasted to increase annually from 2011 to 2020, reaching 96.03 Tg C at the end of the second-stage of the program in 2020. The annual growth of the carbon storage was forecasted to be 6.24 Tg C/yr, which suggested that NFP program has a significant potential for enhancing carbon sequestration in plantation forests under its domain.

Recreational potential as an indicator of accessibility control in protected mountain forest areas

The article presents research findings related to recreational use of forests located in protected mountainous areas with forestage of over 80%. The study was designed to identify recreational potential of the Carpathian national parks （Bieszczady National Park, Bahia G6ra National Park, Goree National Park and Magura National Park; southern Poland） and to compare these findings with the actual number of visitors. The information received on the recreational potential of parks is important from the point of view of protection of natural resources and the financial situation of the parks. The calculated ratio may be an effective tool of management for park administration, that allows to reconcile statutory social and protective functions of national parks. The study determined the recreational potential of the forests with the use of recreational valorisation method designed for areas with varied terrain, and the evaluated factors included the stands of trees with their habitat and land relief. The permissible number of national park visitors, expressed as man- hour/ha/year ranges from 19.31 in Bieszczady National Park （BG： 19~ 35＇ E, 49~ 35＇ N） to 32.06 in in Bieszczady National Park （B： 22~ 40＇ E, 49~ lo＇ N）. In 3 out of 4 investigated parks, Magura National Park （M： 21025＇ E, 49~ 30＇ N）, Gorce National Park （G： 20~ lo＇ E, 49~ 35＇ N）, B） recreation carrying capacity was not exceeded, whether or not the strictly protected area is taken into account. Only in BG was the recreation carrying capacity exceeded by nearly 24%, or by 85% if the strictly protected area isexcluded from tourism-related exploitation. The presented procedure for monitoring access to mountain forests in national parks, from the viewpoint of natural resources conservation, can be applied in other mountainous areas covered with forests and exposed to tourist and recreational traffic, and in forests facing particular risk of recreational damage, e.g. in urban and suburban forests growing in areas with varied orography.

Effects of management regimes on carbon sequestration under the Natural Forest Protection Program in northeast China

Carbon sinks constitute an important element within the complex phenomenon of global climate change,and forest ecosystems are important global carbon sinks.The Natural Forest Protection Program（NFPP） is an ecological program in China that was established after catastrophic flooding in the country in 1998.The goals of the NFPP are to curb the deterioration of the ecological environment,strengthen the protection and restoration of habitat to increase biodiversity,and rehabilitate natural forests to support sustainable development in forest regions.This study looked at changes in carbon sequestration in a forested area of northeast China after the inception of the NFPP.The program divides China＇s natural forests into three classes—commercial and two types of noneconomic forests—that are subject to management regimes prescribing varying levels of timber harvest,afforestation,and reforestation.During the 18-year period from 1998 to 2015,the total amount of carbon sequestration increased at an average annual rate of 0.04 MT C.This trend reflects a transformation of forest management practices after implementation of the NFPP that resulted in prohibited and/or restricted logging and tighter regulation of allowable harvest levels for specific areas.In documenting this trend,guidelines for more effective implementation of forestry programs such as the NFPP in other countries in the future are also suggested.

Strategies on natural forest protection of collective forest area in minority nationality community in China─A case of the forest resource management in datu village

In the recent 20 years, it is a trend that forest will be distributed to villagers to manage in the world.Also in China, "forestry three determinations" has been carried out since 1980, and many new forestry devolutionshave been put fotward to and come into being. To face the fact of overusing up natural forest to result in the deterioration of ecology environment, the strategy of naturaf forest protection project (NFPP) is raised after the heavyflood in 1998. Now, it i s paid close attention to systematically study to carry Out the strategies of NFPP in collective forest area, especially in the community of minority nationalities. Based on the case of forest resource management in Datu Miao Village, the experience of its forest management in the past is analyzed and the strategies of NFPP in collective forest area are put forward.

Legal System for China's Forest Resource Protection:A Case Study of Poyang Lake Eco-economic Zone

Taking Poyang Lake Eco-economic Zone as an example,we analyzed existing problems in China'forest resource protection from the perspective of legal system.The problems include unclear property right system of forest resource,imperfect compensation mechanism for forest ecology,forest cutting quota scheme not resolutely put into practice,legal supervision of forest protection not implemented,and lack of integration in forest protection laws.Based on these problems,we put forward countermeasures and suggestions:establish clear forest resource property system;improve ecological benefit compensation mechanism in legal form;strictly implement forest cutting quota scheme;strengthen legal supervision of forest protection;and keep legal system integral for forest resource protection.

An overview on the protected area system for forest conservation in Bangladesh

A total of 19 protected areas （PAs） have been established in Bangladesh representing all the four forest types of the country. Apart from being the repository of biological diversity, these PAs serve as the source of subsistence livelihoods to the local communities. While all the PAs are managed by the state Forest Department （FD）, with a view to ensure sustainability, a recent approach of co-management has been initiated in five PAs as a pilot project with an aid of development partners incorporating stakeholders＇ participation. Along with demonstrating a number of upbeat impacts, the initiatives exert some constraints which need to be addressed properly to ensure the success of participatory approach and enhance the ongoing conservation scheme. This paper reviews the published works, government and project documents to analyze the present status of PAs and suggest recommendations accordingly.

The Natural Forest Protection Program in China： A Contingent Valuation Study in Heilongjiang Province

In 1998, the Chinese Government implemented the NFPP （Natural Forest Protection Program）, which included logging restrictions, protected areas, replanting, and a range of other policies aimed at safeguarding the state of the country＇s forests and reducing the risk of erosion and flooding. A second phase of this program is currently being discussed. In this paper, contingent valuation is used to estimate the WTP （willingness to pay） for maintaining the program among the inhabitants in Heilongjiang Province in northern China. The results show that, even with fairly conservative assumptions, the aggregated WTP for maintaining the program for another five years is some 3.24 billion yuan per year. This can be compared with the current cost of the Program in the province, which is some 1.57 billion yuan per year.

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.

ESTABLISHMENT OF TAI PIN DI COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTING FOREST SYSTEM

A multi-function protecting forest system was planed and arranged elaborately for im-provement of the local ecological conditions and high economical benefit. The system in-cludes level farmland shelter belt network, hillside farmland shelter belt network, stereoscop-ic sparse-wood pasture, erosion control fuel forest, fast growing commercial forest, eco-nomical forest, salt-soda controlling project and salt-soda protecting forest on salt-sodaland, ect..

Optimum Density and Space Structure of Kyrgyzstan's Juniper Stands for Identifying Water Protective Properties

Central Asia including Kyrgyzstan is a disaster prone area,suffering from snow avalanches,landslides and flooding.Within the Tyan- Shan region,a mountainous region in Southern Kyrgyzstan,there is an increasing number of natural hazards over the last years.One of the possible causes of the increase in natural disasters in the region is the deterioration of the Juniper forests in the region.Juniper forests have a large economical and ecological importance for Kyrgyzstan.However,the conditions worsened for these juniper forests.Since 1980 approximately 20% of the juniper forests were lost due to intensive deforestation,forest fires and excessive cattle grazing and possibly also climate changes are affecting the juniper trees and their soil properties.The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the juniper forest on the local hydrology and to characterize the water protective properties.

The Current Status of World Protection for Mangrove Forest

Mangrove forests occur extensively in the tropic areas rich in wildlife and other non forestry resources and provide a wide array of raw materials for livelihood and production processes and have been a major source of income generation and subsistence for the local people. Exploitation of timber, fuel wood, poles, industrial raw material, and many other non wood products from the mangrove forests give rise to large scale economic activity and income generation. At present, mangrove forests are facing great peril. Reckless exploitation and swampland reclamation result in their gradual degradation. This article deals with the worlds mangrove forest resources and their benefit to people; describes the current status, points out the main causes of the destruction of these forests, presents proposals for protecting mangrove forests, and discusses international cooperation in protecting the world’s mangrove forests.

A Study on Compensation for Management and Protection Expenses of Non-commercial Forests

This paper analyzes the compensation nature of non-commercial forests under different ownership from two aspects, namely, whether the property right is limited and whether the management and protection expense has been incurred: there are no economic loss compensation problems caused by changes and limitation of property rights for the state-owned non-commercial forests with only the compensation on management and protection expense; but for the non-commercial forests owned by collectives or individuals, double compensation for both the economic loss and management expense exists because of limitation on the property right. In addition, an inframarginal economic analysis framework has been built for the management and protection compensation problems faced by non-commercial forests under different ownership in the perspective of the division of labor. Research results show that: the compensation standard for the management and protection expenses of non-commercial forests shall fall in between the "completely self-sufficient forestry economic structure U(Ayz)" and the "completely specialized productive structure of non-commercial forests U(B1)".