Sustainability evaluation of the Grain for Green Project: from local people's responses to ecological effectiveness in Wolong Nature Reserve |
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Authors: | Xu Jian-Ying Chen Li-Ding Lu Yi-He Fu Bo-Jie |
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Institution: | (1) College of Resource, Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 105 North Road of Western 3rd-Ring, Beijing, 100037, People’s Republic of China;(2) State Key Laboratory of Urban & Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. O. Box 2871, Beijing, 100085, People’s Republic of China |
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Abstract: | This article examines the sustainability of the Grain for Green Project in the Wolong Nature Reserve. Pertinent data were
collected through a questionnaire survey and a spatial analysis of reforested lands. The study results identified four critical
issues that may influence the sustainability of the project in the study area. The first issue is concerned with the project’s
impacts on local sustenance. Because local grain consumption depends greatly on compensation awarded by the project, the potential
for sustainability of the project is compromised. The second issue is that the project causes negative effects on local incomes
in the Wolong Nature Reserve, which may undermine local economic prospects. The third issue is that the project failed to
deliver suitable habitat for the giant panda, although two of the suitability requirements that deal with landform features
were met. Lastly, the project neglects great differences among geographical areas in the country, providing the same compensation
and length of compensation period to all participants. Appropriate compensation mechanisms should be established and adapted
to local economic, environmental, and social conditions. In managing nature reserves and moving toward sustainability, ensuring
all aspects of local socioeconomic and ecological/environmental issues are properly addressed is a real challenge. Based on
our study, some recommendations for improving sustainability of the project are given. |
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Keywords: | Grain for Green Project Sustainability evaluation Local people ·Ecological restoration Giant panda habitat |
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