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A complex adaptive systems perspective of forest policy in China

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  • Bone, Christopher

Abstract

The world's forests have historically been managed as systems in which environmental health is compromised for the sake of economic efficiency and growth. China's forest policy framework has generally followed this paradigm as large-scale deforestation over the 20th century led to landscapes that, while economically productive, were made vulnerable to natural disturbances. However, in recent decades China has experienced substantial forest reforms that aim to protect important forested lands while simultaneously increasing timber outputs from plantations. Multiple green growth oriented programs have been in place to attain these objectives with the anticipation that rural poverty can be alleviated and the vulnerability towards natural disasters can be avoided. A growing body of research demonstrates the success of these reforms for improving the lives of landowners while also increasing the country's forest cover. However, these reforms have brought upon substantial change to the relationship within and between social, economic and ecological properties of the nation's forest system, and consequentially its ability to respond and adapt to change in the future. The objective of this paper is to describe the relationship between forest policy and environmental change in China during the last century using a complex adaptive systems framework. This approach demonstrates the coupled nature of policies and forest dynamics that need to be considered in future policy development. China's green growth directed policies and practices must embrace a perspective of constant change and the inevitability of perturbations and disturbances. In this way, China can begin to consider how to build resilience into its policies and management strategies so that the overall system maintains a level of flexibility that allows it to adapt to unforeseen economic and ecological change.

Suggested Citation

  • Bone, Christopher, 2016. "A complex adaptive systems perspective of forest policy in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 138-144.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:112:y:2016:i:c:p:138-144
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2016.08.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sylvie Démurger & Hou Yuanzhao & Yang Weiyong, 2007. "Forest management policies and resource balance in China: an assessment of the current situation," Post-Print halshs-00144898, HAL.
    2. Huang, Lin & Liu, Jiyuan & Shao, Quanqin & Xu, Xinliang, 2012. "Carbon sequestration by forestation across China: Past, present, and future," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 1291-1299.
    3. Johnston, Mark & Hesseln, Hayley, 2012. "Climate change adaptive capacity of the Canadian forest sector," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 29-34.
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    5. Xu, Jintao & Yin, Runsheng & Li, Zhou & Liu, Can, 2006. "China's ecological rehabilitation: Unprecedented efforts, dramatic impacts, and requisite policies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 57(4), pages 595-607, June.
    6. Wang, Sen & Cornelis van Kooten, G. & Wilson, Bill, 2004. "Mosaic of reform: forest policy in post-1978 China," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 6(1), pages 71-83, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Binglu Wu & Di Mu & Yi Luo & Zhengguang Xiao & Jilong Zhao & Dongxu Cui, 2022. "Rural Ecological Problems in China from 2013 to 2022: A Review of Research Hotspots, Geographical Distribution, and Countermeasures," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Li Lv & Jing Hu & Xin Xu & Xiaobo Tian, 2021. "The Evolution of Rural Tourism in Wuhan: Complexity and Adaptability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.

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