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The Impact of Ecological Restoration Projects in Dry Lands: Data-based Assessment and Human Perceptions in the Lower Reaches of Heihe River Basin, China

Author

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  • Tianyi Zhou

    (Graduate Program in Sustainability Science–Global Leadership Initiative, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8563, Japan)

  • Tomohiro Akiyama

    (Department of Socio-Cultural Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8563, Japan)

  • Masahide Horita

    (Department of International Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8563, Japan)

  • Ali Kharrazi

    (Advanced Systems Analysis Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg A-2361, Austria
    Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan)

  • Steven Kraines

    (Faculty of Liberal Arts, Tokyo City University, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan)

  • Jia Li

    (Faculty of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture, Niigata 950-8680, Japan)

  • Ken Yoshikawa

    (Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan)

Abstract

Desertification is a critical environmental problem in China’s northwestern region. In this context, since the early 2000s, projects targeting ecological restoration have been implemented in the lower reaches of the Heihe River basin. Using multi-scale remote sensing data and field observations, this paper examines the outcomes of the ecological restoration projects. Specifically, this paper examines the vegetation change through remote sensing and local perceptions of the projects through semi-structured questionnaires. The results from remote sensing reveal that during the restoration projects, vegetation coverage in riparian areas of the lower reaches of the Heihe River basin increased. However, this increase cannot be simply equated with ecological recovery. Expansion of farmland and afforested areas have also contributed to the increase in vegetation coverage. Questionnaire results reveal that although locals perceived improvements in the ecological conditions of the lower reaches, most of them were more about future environmental changes. Additionally, results indicate that ecological restoration projects redistributed water resources in the local river reaches and, as a result, local residents living in riparian areas perceive greater benefit. Therefore, the implementation of the project may have actually negatively impacted the water accessibility of those living in the drier Gobi Desert areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianyi Zhou & Tomohiro Akiyama & Masahide Horita & Ali Kharrazi & Steven Kraines & Jia Li & Ken Yoshikawa, 2018. "The Impact of Ecological Restoration Projects in Dry Lands: Data-based Assessment and Human Perceptions in the Lower Reaches of Heihe River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1471-:d:145110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maikhuri, R. K. & Nautiyal, S. & Rao, K. S. & Saxena, K. G., 2001. "Conservation policy-people conflicts: a case study from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (a World Heritage Site), India," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 2(3-4), pages 355-365, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xu, Xin & Zhang, Daojun & Zhang, Yu & Yao, Shunbo & Zhang, Jinting, 2020. "Evaluating the vegetation restoration potential achievement of ecological projects: A case study of Yan’an, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    2. Tianyu Zhu & Chengzhi Li & Xiaocao Liu & Xiaobing Zhao, 2024. "Assessing Ecological Restoration in Arid Mining Regions: A Progressive Evaluation System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Xuan Wei & Lihua Zhou & Guojing Yang & Ya Wang & Yong Chen, 2020. "Assessing the Effects of Desertification Control Projects from the Farmers’ Perspective: A Case Study of Yanchi County, Northern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Veronika Vaseková, 2022. "How do people in China perceive water? From health threat perception to environmental policy change," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(3), pages 627-645, September.

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