Stepwise Ecological Restoration:A framework for improving restoration outcomes

Ecosystem degradation is one of the critical constraints for the sustainable development of our planet.However,recovering an ecosystem to a pre-impairment condition is often not practical.The International Restoration Standards provide the first framework for practical guidance on what constitutes the process of ecological repair and how this repair process can be influenced to improve net ecological benefits.In these Standards,Restorative Continuum is highlighted and it recognises that many do not,yet there is still value in aspiring to improvements to the highest extent possible,with some sites potentially being able to be improved in a stepwise manner.Here we elaborate on these Standards by providing a cross-ecosystem theoretical framework of Stepwise Ecological Restoration(STERE)for promoting higher environmental benefits.STERE allows the selection of suitable restorative modes by considering the degree of degradation while encouraging a transition to a higher state.These models include environmental remediation for completely modified and degraded ecosystems,ecological rehabilitation for highly modified and degraded ecosystems,and ecological restoration for degraded native ecosystems.STERE requires selecting tailored restorative modes,setting clear restorative targets and reference ecosystems,applying a systematic-thinking approach,and implementing a continuous monitoring program at all process stages to achieve a resilient trajectory.STERE allows adaptive management in the context of climate change,and when the evidence is available,to“adapt to the future”to ensure climate resilience.The STERE framework could assist in initiating and implementing restoration projects worldwide,especially in developing countries.

On the Ecological Restoration Modes of Rocky Desertification in Chongqing Zhongliang Mountainous Area

In the Haishi Park Demonstration Base of Zhongliang Mountain in Chongqing, ecological restoration modes were established based on growth status of local plants and other natural environmental conditions, including forestry ecology, tourism ecology, agricultural ecology as well as the combined mode of various ecological types.

Study on Ecological Restoration and Characteristic Agricultural Mode at Rocky Desertification Area of Chongqing City in China——A Case Study of Nanping Town in Nanchuan District of China

The paper had introduced geographical location,natural condition and social development status of Nanchuan District of Chongqing City,analyzed the development principle,necessity and feasibility of characteristic agriculture at rocky desertification area.In view of features of desertification area,it had discussed construction mode of ecological restoration in the perspectives of engineering management measures,development and utilization of water resources,and ecological restoration measures.In line with agricultural characteristic of Nanchuan District of Chongqing City,the development mode of characteristic agriculture had been discussed from the aspects of characteristic Chinese medicinal crops,fruits,breeding,poultries,and cultivation.It emphasized adopting corresponding planning measures,making the best use of advantages and avoiding shortcomings,with scientific planning,reasonable layout and highlighted emphasis,so as to strive to form circular economic development tendency of good environment and harmonious ecology.

The Study on Protection and Construction Mode of Urban Ecologically Sensitive Areas

The paper had analyzed the necessity and feasibility for the protection and utilization of urban ecologically sensitive areas, proposed planning urban ecologically sensitive areas reasonably and combining ecological protection with development construction. Guiding the healthy and ordered development of urban spaces was the key part and important approach to realize ecological cities. The guiding thought for development construction of ecological cities had been discussed, which was conducting laddered development according to the location and coverage of urban ecologically sensitive areas and protection grades of these sensitive areas. Then, it had proposed four kinds of protection and construction modes, which were tourism leisure green lands, relevant expositions, industrial areas and new city groups, and which had been analyzed by combining with successful cases, so as to provide feasible win-win development strategies of ecology and economy for the planning of urban ecologically sensitive areas in the future.

Study on Management Mode of Rural Tourist Spots Based on Community Participation——A Case Study of Agricultural Ecological Park

In accordance with the development mode of agricultural ecological park,the paper proposed close-ended management mode at the initial stage of operation and open-ended management mode at the middle and latter stage of operation,so as to provide reference for sustainable development of agricultural ecological garden.

A comparison between different ecological de-farming modes in the loess hilly-gully region in China

The eco-environmental restoration has been a chief task of the western development strategies carried out by the central and local governments of China since the late 1990s, and the ecological de-farming has been regarded as a powerful measure for the ecological restoration in the Loess Plateau and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. "Relieving and de-farming" (RD) and "rebuilding terrace and de-farming" (RTD) are two more mature ones among various de-farming modes. Taking the loess hilly-gully region as a case, this paper summarized the basic characteristics of RD and RTD modes, calculated the sizes of de-farming slope farmland, rebuilt terraces, enlarged garden plots and restored vegetation, and compared the differences of two modes in terms of de-farming area, ecological reestablishment index, investment demand amount and benefits. The results showed that RTD mode has many advantages, including suitable investment, sufficient grain supply and great benefits, and will be the best ecological reestablishment mode in the loess hilly-gully region, and RD mode which is being carried out in this region should be replaced by RTD mode as soon as possible.

The Theoretical Explanation of Non-ecological Economic Qualities of the Development Mode of Industrial Civilization:An Analysis Based on the Critical Perspective

The development mode of industrial civilization has created huge material wealth for human society,but at the same time the severe ecological problems that have arisen from it have made human civilization fall into the dispersion of unsustainable development.The industrialized development mode has obvious non-ecological economic qualities,which are specifically manifested in the destruction of the ecological economy relationship between nature and mankind,the emergence of cracks of metabolism between nature and mankind,the unbalanced development of the social productive forces and the natural productive forces,and the functioning of one-way linear non-circular economy.Under the trend of ecological evolution of human civilization,the industrial civilization will be replaced by the ecological civilization,and then the industrial economic development mode will be transformed into the ecological economic development mode.As a result,the predicament of once unsustainable development has been gradually dispersed and human civilization enters a beautiful new era of coordinated development of economic society and natural ecology.

On the Ecological Restoration Mode of Urban Water Revetment Landscape

Urban waterfront revetment is a special zone between water and land,with high ecological,economic and aesthetic value. Waterfront revetment landscape is not only an important part of urban water and land ecosystems,but also an integral part of the city. Based on the current situation of ecological environment of waterfront revetment landscape,we come up with different ecological restoration modes for different types of revetment,to achieve the organic integration of waterfront revetment landscape and ecology.

Study on the Construction Modes of Rural Landscape and Ecological Tea Plantation——With Tea Plantations in Helong Township,Ya'an City as a Study Case

By analyzing the present situation and advantages of tea plantations in Helong Township,Ya'an City,the construction modes of rural landscape and ecological tea plantation were studied from the perspective of landscape ecology.

Wudang Mode of Ecological Civilization Construction in Western Counties

First, emphasis was given to the analysis on the practices of ecological civilization construction in Wudang District, and then the Wudang mode of ecological civilization construction was discussed and summarized from the aspects of implementation process, implementation path, and implementation dynamics, obtaining the following enlightenments： accelerating the development of ecological economy is the primary task for the ec- ological civilization construction in western counties; optimizing the spatial development pattern is an important means to promote the ecological civi- lization construction scientifically; capturing the acting point is the key factor to realize the win-win of economic development and ecological protection; the overall development of social undertakings to achieve the happiness of people in rural and urban area is the goal of ecological civilization.

Modern Ecological Chicken Raising and Its Research Progress

Modern ecological breeding has the characteristics of protecting the ecological environment,health,nutrition,delicious,and so on.In the ecological breeding of traditional breeding chicken,using non antibiotic breeding,traditional Chinese medicine and other breeding technologies can not only obtain green,non-harmful and safe food products,but also reduce the cost of farmers and provide breeding efficiency This is a sustainable development path.This paper gave a brief overview of this field.

A study of economic development in Tibet of China based on the ecological economic mode

The purpose of this paper is to study the issues on keeping the continuous development of Tibetan economy and the relative stability of its ecosystem. Hence, in order to achieve the object, the study analyzes the status quo of economic development in Tibet and the problems of resource exploitation. It especially discusses frailty of Tibetan eco-environment, and evaluates the contradictions between the traditional economic developing mode and the safety of plateau＇s ecosystem. It concludes that there is an inevitable clash between the development of Tibetan economy and the safety of plateau＇s eco-system; this problem cannot be avoided by any decision maker, Therefore, the character of Tibetan econvironment and the requirement of its economic development strategy determine that ecological economy developing mode is the only choice for Tibet. This paper suggests that it should be compensated by the national government to assure that Tibetan economy can keep a higher developing speed. In accordance with the feature of plateau eco-economy system and demand of Tibetan economic development, this paper also suggests several methods to apply the ecoeconomy developing strategy of Tibet.

Research on the Low-carbon-high-value Agriculture Technology in the Comprehensive Improvement of Intra-county Environment Pollution——Taking the Development of Cultivation and Breeding Industry in the Ecological Cyclic Agricultural Garden in Shaoshan Irri

The comprehensive improvement strategy of intra-county environment pollution in the city and countryside was searched.By the research method which combined the microscopic view,the macroscopic view with the dynamic perspective,the seriousness of rural water quality,soil and atmospheric pollution in Xiangxiang,Xiangtan and the surrounding areas in Shaoshan irrigated area was revealed.The control measure which was 'four-dimensional pollution in the city and countryside'—— low-carbon-high-value agriculture and the technology innovation was proposed.The low-carbon-high-value technology innovation industrialization demonstration in three parts which included the pre-production,mid-production and post-production deep-processing of cultivation and breeding industry in the ecological cyclic agricultural garden in Shaoshan irrigated area was the driving force.We tried to propel the low-carbon ecological cultivation and breeding industry which included the paddy rice,grass,tree,medicinal herbs and pig,cow,chick,duck,fish.We wanted to relieve the structural unbalance of previous cultivation and breeding industry,'cheap grain hurting the farmers' and the short-leg problem of social-economic-ecological benefit.The results showed that the low-carbon-high-value agricultural system was a poly-generation technology system which promoted the multi-level and grading utilization,saved the energy,reduced the consumption and cleaned the production based on the ecology.

Research on Landscape Ecology Mode of New Resources-based Cities—A Case Study of Yulin City of Shaanxi Province in China

Based on the overall understanding of new cities developing based on resources,by taking Yulin City of Shaanxi Province for example and combining with relevant statistical data,main problems existing in resources development have been pointed out,covering simple resources industrial structure and serious wastes in resources development;insufficient intensive processing of products and low level of resources integrated utilization;and deteriorative regional eco-environment.On this basis,a new mode of landscape ecology of resource-based cities have been proposed,emphasizing constructing new green energy industrial development mode from the perspective of microscopic view;ecological industrial park of circular economy from the perspective of mesoscopic view;and the overall ecological recovery mode of the mining area from the perspective of macroscopic view.It hopes to give a vital inspiration to the sustainable development of new resources-based cities.

Rational Reflection and Realistic Transcendence on Ecological Crisis: Based on the Perspective of Marxist Ecological Concept

The construction of ecological civilization fully demonstrates the CPC's historical initiative spirit to keep pace with the times. This ruling mind is rooted not only in the realistic interpretation of Marxism ecological view,but also in the profound introspection on the development of history of human civilization. It has a practical guiding meaning to the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Furthermore,it has a theoretical perspective on the ecological crisis which is a global problem. Therefore,we should stand on the commanding heights of humanity's horizons,and restore systematically the harmonious relationship between man and nature from the perspective of ecological aesthetics.

Ecological Rural Residence Scheme

Based on the investigation of rural residence status, a proper eco-environmental protection rural residence scheme was put forward in this study, which took ecological energy-saving measures to local conditions. The eco-environmental protection rural residence was popularized, which not only successfully improved peasants′ living environment, but also reduced investment in non- renewable energy and made economic benefits.

Development of Ecological Fishery in Poyang Lake Area

Through in-depth analysis on history and current situations of fishery development in Poyang Lake area,this paper presents location,resource and environment advantages in development of ecological fishery.According to orientation of leading functions,Poyang Lake can be divided into breeding development,capture operation,enhancement protection and ecological rehabilitation functional zones.In accordance with industrial foundation and ecological advantages of cities and counties in Poyang Lake,it determines the reasonable distribution of 8 leading industries:river crabs,shrimps(Procambarus clarkia),eels,Pengze crucian carp,Siniperca chuatsi,Channa argus,Ietalurus Punetaus,and pearl.On the basis of systematically summing up exploration experience,it comes up with the development path"ecology oriented fishery and industrialization oriented ecological fishery"for ecological fishery in Poyang Lake area.It proposes a series of key technological measures,including reducing fertilizer and drugs,increasing output and benefits,low consumption and emission,high quality and safety,and standardization,to realize a benign cycle of"cost saving,benefit increasing,quality improving and low carbon"and the multi-win objective of coordination between ecology,economy and society.

Landscape Design Mode Based on the Integration of Ecology, Production and Life

Taking landscape design of Suburban Park in Yulin City for example, this paper applied the design thoughts of integrating multiple planning, defining concepts and objectives, specified the design strategies of restoring ecology, improving life and promoting production, and disclosed the landscape design mode based on the integration of ecology, production and life in which ecological landscapes, productive landscapes and living landscapes promote and coexist harmoniously with each other.

Spatiotemporal analysis and multiple scenarios prediction of sustainable ecosystem in China based on ecological footprint method

Dynamic changes of sustainable ecosystem in China have been assessed with long-term series from 1949 to 2006, and the ecosystem sustainability of 30 provinces in 1986, 1996, 2002 and 2006 are analyzed with ecological footprint index (EFI) and ecological footprint efficiency (EFE). The two indices are proposed based on ecological footprint (EF) method. Then, the fluctuant cycles of per capita EF and bicapacity (BC) in China 1949-2006 are decomposed and extracted based on EMD method, and series nonlinear dynamic predictive models are presented with the cycles. Three Forecasting scenarios are analyzed based on their predictive models according to three EF scenarios presented in Living Planet Report 2006 published by WWF et al.(2006). Over last 57 years, China’s EFI has reduced sharply with fluctuation. The change of EFE is very slowly before 1980, subsequently, is sharply increased. There are 6, 5, 12, and 7 provinces which are running ecological surplus in 1986, 1996, 2002, and 2006, respectively. There are 14, 16, 11, and 16 provinces which EFI are smaller than -100% in 1986, 1996, 2002, and 2006, respectively. The provinces with the highest EFE are Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin, and the lowest are Xinjiang, Guizhou, Hainan, Ningxia, et al. in 1986, 1996, 2002, and 2006, respectively. The obvious undulation cycles of per capita EF in China are 4.8 years and 10.9 years, and the periods of per capita BC are 3.03 years, 8.35 years, 14.25 years, and 28.15 years. The business-as-usual scenario looks at the consequence that per capita ED would be 11.200hm2 and EFI would be -1307.19% in China in 2050. The slow-shift scenario shows per capita ED would be 0.728hm2 and EFI would be -84.96% in 2050. The rapid-reduce scenario shows per capita ED in China would be 0.498hm2 in 2050 and 0.261hm2 in 2100, respectively. EFI of rapid-reduce scenario would be -58.11% in 2050. China could denote sustainability at the global level if slow-shift scenario and rapid-reduce scenario are implemented.

Trends in per capita ecological footprint and biocapacity in China 1949-2013

This paper proposes two concepts: the ecological footprint component index(EFCI) and the biocapacity component index(BCCI), based on the ecological footprint(EF) and Shannon entropy approaches. Per capita EFCI and BCCI in China 1949-2013 are analyzed using empirical mode decomposition(EMD). Nonlinear models of per capita EFCI and BCCI in China 1949-2013 are presented and their cycles and predictions from 2014 to 2023 are analyzed. The results over the last 65 years show:(1) EFCI in China has increased constantly with fluctuations, while BCCI has slowly decreased. Their annual change rates are 2.81% and-1.26%, respectively. The increasing EFCI indicates a gradual improvement in China's sustainable development potential; the decreasing BCCI indicates severe environmental and population challenges.(2) The cycles of per capita EFCI have periods of 5.4 and 16.3 years, while cycles of per capita BCCI have periods of 3.6, 13,and 21.7 years. The predictive models indicate that EFCI will first decrease, reaching 0.02725 in2014, and will subsequently increase to 0.03261 in 2021. BCCI will increase, reaching 0.01365 in2014 and 0.01541 in 2022. EFCI and BCCI will reach 0.03037 and 0.01537, respectively, in 2023.Policymakers should ensure that the EFCI and BCCI increase in 2023.