Land resource degradation in China: Analysis of status,trends and strategy

Land degradation threatens environmental well-being and is a growing global issue. China is among the most affected countries in the world in terms of the extent, intensity and economic impact of land degradation. Sustainable and successful intervention requires clear definition and quantification of land degradation. Based on land resource variation survey data from 1991 to 2002, this paper identified, defined and classified land resource degradation, and analyzed dynamic changes in the degradation and rehabilitation process. Through the establishment of a land resource degradation index, the status and trend of degradation in China was explored to enable the design and planning of interventions for mitigation and establishment of sustainable land use and management practices. Results showed that: (1) The total land degradation index (A) fluctuated upwards from 1991 to 2002, although some parts improved. (2) Sand and rock desertification, deforestation and wetland loss reduced slightly, whereas secondary salinification, non-agricultural land occupation and natural grassland further deteriorated. (3) 66.27% of degradation was in natural grassland and non-agricultural land; while 57.5% of rehabilitation focused on sandy desertification and forests. (4) Non-agricultural land occupation and wetland shrinkage are primary causes of land resource deterioration in China. (5) Grassland, cultivated land and forest land accounted for 83.9% of degradation. (6) All the degradation processes are interrelated. These results provide useful information to combat future land resource degradation in China.     

Estimation of soil carbon saturation and carbon sequestration potential of an agro-ecosystem in China

Soil is believed to be the most important sink for sequestering atmospheric carbon. Hence, estimating soil carbon sequestration potential has been carried out for different regions and agricultural practices. However, soil carbon saturation (SCS), a fundamental concept for estimating soil carbon sequestration potential, has not been estimated for countries or regions. In this study, we estimated SCS of agricultural land for most provinces in China for 1990 by the DNDC model, a carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycle model, in order to provide a basis for farmers to select the land use, tillage and fertilization regimes to sequester more carbon. The result showed that SCS was as low as 0.48% in Tianjin and up to 5.14% in Tibet. There was a positive correlation between SCS and the proportion of paddy field in a province. In 1990, cropland soil carbon sequestration potential (SCSP) in China was -0.969 Gt C (-2.706 to 0.767 Gt C). This suggests that agricultural soil will be a carbon source to the atmosphere if agricultural practices are not altered. However, SCSP differed between provinces in China. SCSP was highest in Tibet (7.9 t C ha-1) and lowest in Heilongjiang Province (-60.8 t C ha-1), with a gradual decrease from south to north in China.     

Strategies for the sustainable development of Lugu Lake region

Lugu Lake region, containing a plateau lake, and the unique matrichal society of the Mosuo, has become one of the most important areas for ecosystem conservation and cultural heritage protection in China. It is essential to pursue sustainable development in Lugu Lake region. However, rapid increases in the tourism industry have had negative influences on society, the economy and the environment of Lugu Lake region. Extensive concerns have been raised by numerous ecologists, economists and social scientists over recent years. Using systems analysis of major societal, economic and environmental problems, this paper advocates goals for realising sustainable development. A double-layer management model has been developed of regional ecosystem services, composed of natural ecosystem management and macro-control of society and the economy, and has been used to analyse the importance and feasibility of ecotourism development in Lugu Lake region. Constructive management measures and development strategies are then proposed to achieve sustainable development in Lugu Lake region.