Categorized Analysis of Forest Ecological Values in the China’s Conversion Cropland to Forest Program

The China’s Conversion Cropland to Forest Program(CCFP)is one of the largest national ecological construction programs,which has effectively improved ecological environment and produced large ecological benefi t.To provide references for further improving ecological benefi t of CCFP,we analyzed the features,differences and relationships of the categorized forest ecological“benefi t value”(B-V)s in 3 kinds of forest restoration ways in different regions in CCFP,using the data of Chinese Forest Ecosystem Research Network(CFERN)from 1999 to 2013 and the methods of the national standards of(LY/T1606-2003),(LY/T1721-2008)and(LY/T1952-2011).The result showed that annual B-Vs of unit area varied in the range of 3.5-10.0 e4 RMBs/hm2·a.Water conservation B-Vs and species conservation B-Vs are the 2 largest constituents,nutrient accumulation B-V was the least in total B-Vs.The B-Vs performed inconsistently among the forest restoration ways and different regions.The rank of average annual total B-Vs of unit area from high to low was“hillside forest conservation”,“returning cropland to forest”,“afforestation on suitable barren hills and wasteland”.Species conservation B-Vs and water conservation B-Vs in southern regions were higher than that of northern and northwestern regions in China.The hot and rainy regions could produce higher species conservation B-Vs.The regression analysis indicated that water conservation B-Vs had signifi cantly positive correlation with the relevant total B-Vs and positive correlation with the relevant atmosphere purification B-Vs whether in regional or in unit area scale.Unit area species conservation B-V was negatively correlated with the relevant nutrient accumulation B-Vs except the way of“afforestation on suitable barren hills and wasteland”.Regional total species conservation B-Vs had signifi cantly negative correlation with its relevant nutrient accumulation B-Vs except“hillside forest conservation”way.We suggest that suitable forest restoration ways must be selective according to the regional specifi c,B-V features and local ecological goals.

Characterization of Water Production and Its Implication to Forest Management

Nowadays, forests are being managed for multiple uses. The basic requirement of multiple use forestry is to identify and quantify forest values and to determine management objectives. The priorities of management objectives, however, must be decided. In this study, a model predicting water production for multi-objective forest management was developed. The model was based on data from permanent sample plots. The data were gathered from 132 sample plots. Approximately 80% of the observations were used for model development and 20% for validation. The model was designed for even-aged forests, as well as for forests with mixed and pure species composition. The explicatory variable in the model was number of trees. All parameter estimates were found highly significant （P 〈 0.001） in predicting water production. The model fit and validation tests were fairly good. The water production model presented in this study was considered to have an appropriate level of reliability. planning, but, it should be limited to the conditions for which the data It can be used in the overall multi-objective forest management were gathered.

Main Principles and Methods of Identification of High Conservation Value Forests in the Conditions of Mountainous Relief： Case of Armenia

Armenia is a small mountainous country with remarkable biodiversity. The forest cover of Armenia makes up 11.17% of the total territory of Armenia. The forests of Armenia make important habitat for numerous biological objects. They also provide important ecosystem services, including key services to forest adjacent population. Deforestation and forest degradation are serious threats in Armenia. In the result of special studies the principles and criteria for identification of HCVFs （high conservation value forests） in the conditions of Armenia were developed. They are based on the guidelines for identification and management of HCVFs, but adapted to the conditions of mountainous forests of Armenia as a small country. Out of six generic types of HCVFs, it is suggested to define five types of HCVFs with respective sub-types. Proper protection of such forests shall ensure conservation of biological diversity and maintenance of ecosystem services provided by forests.

A Review and Reflection of Value Account of Forest Resources

The framework of forest valuation accounting has been formed through the development stages of timber value calculation, forest ecosystem valuation and entire value accounting of forest resources, including the forest values of resources in kind, environmental resources and social benefits in China. These theory and methods still face deviation of theories and methods from vague position of discipline, larger accounting results from ignoring differences between forest ecological functions and ecosystem services, and unrealistic and other problems from non-standard index system and accounting methods due to the development history and other reasons. Five suggestions are proposed to make explicit the object and purpose of the forest resource value accounting, establish universal, scientific, measurable and concise index system for value evaluation, calculate forest resources value in consideration of forest type and position, distinguish accurately the functions from benefits of the forest resources, and suit value calculation result to the practice of social economy.

Comparative Research on Zoning of High Conservation Value Forest and Ecological Forest

High conservation value forest(HCVF) theory has aroused wide concerns among related forestry sectors in China,but the zoning and identification of HCVF only have been implemented in a few forest management units(FMUs). As there is no quantitative indicator for identifying and zoning HCVF in China,most FMUs are unable to have an exact zoning result. This paper introduced the concepts of HCVF and ecological forest,and compared their similarities and differences in terms of identification criteria,zoning methods and application scope. With four Chinese FMUs as case studies,some suggestions were proposed for establishing a zoning scheme of HCVF so as to promote the development of HCVF in China.

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.

Balancing the Realization of Ecological,Economic and Social Values of Forests for Sustainable Forest Management

Forests provide multiple ecological,economic and social benefits.A truly sustainable forest management should lead to a balanced realization of these forest values.This paper categorizes the forest resources as appreciating resources and depreciating resources in accordance with the specific form of forest values,and defines them conceptually in regard to the contrasting and competitive nature of these values.Necessary theoretic discussions were then made for the feasibility and operability in terms of t...

Study on the Value of Forest to Conserve Soil and Water in Beijing

Forest has a strongfunction in storing water, conserving soil and protecting farmland. In the study, based on fleld management and survey, these effects of forest in Beijing were determined and quantified. According to the principles and methodology of environment economics, the values of forest to conserve soil and water were accounted. The result shows that the total value of forest to conserve soil and water in Beijing is as much as 1129.58×10~8 yuan, in which the value of water storage is 1107.92×10...