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Opportunities for biodiversity gains under the world’s largest reforestation programme

Author

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  • Fangyuan Hua

    (Program in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University)

  • Xiaoyang Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Kunming College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xinlei Zheng

    (College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University)

  • Brendan Fisher

    (Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont)

  • Lin Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianguo Zhu

    (State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ya Tang

    (College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University)

  • Douglas W. Yu

    (State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park)

  • David S. Wilcove

    (Program in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University
    Princeton University)

Abstract

Reforestation is a critical means of addressing the environmental and social problems of deforestation. China’s Grain-for-Green Program (GFGP) is the world’s largest reforestation scheme. Here we provide the first nationwide assessment of the tree composition of GFGP forests and the first combined ecological and economic study aimed at understanding GFGP’s biodiversity implications. Across China, GFGP forests are overwhelmingly monocultures or compositionally simple mixed forests. Focusing on birds and bees in Sichuan Province, we find that GFGP reforestation results in modest gains (via mixed forest) and losses (via monocultures) of bird diversity, along with major losses of bee diversity. Moreover, all current modes of GFGP reforestation fall short of restoring biodiversity to levels approximating native forests. However, even within existing modes of reforestation, GFGP can achieve greater biodiversity gains by promoting mixed forests over monocultures; doing so is unlikely to entail major opportunity costs or pose unforeseen economic risks to households.

Suggested Citation

  • Fangyuan Hua & Xiaoyang Wang & Xinlei Zheng & Brendan Fisher & Lin Wang & Jianguo Zhu & Ya Tang & Douglas W. Yu & David S. Wilcove, 2016. "Opportunities for biodiversity gains under the world’s largest reforestation programme," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12717
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12717
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    Cited by:

    1. Min Cao & Min Chen & Junze Zhang & Prajal Pradhan & Huadong Guo & Bojie Fu & Yue Li & Yuying Bai & Lijiao Chang & Yu Chen & Zhongchang Sun & Zhenci Xu & Rui Zhu & Michael E. Meadows & Guonian Lü, 2023. "Spatio-temporal changes in the causal interactions among Sustainable Development Goals in China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Giuntoli, J. & Barredo, J.I. & Avitabile, V. & Camia, A. & Cazzaniga, N.E. & Grassi, G. & Jasinevičius, G. & Jonsson, R. & Marelli, L. & Robert, N. & Agostini, A. & Mubareka, S., 2022. "The quest for sustainable forest bioenergy: win-win solutions for climate and biodiversity," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    3. Yu, Ziyue & Deng, Xiangzheng & Cheshmehzangi, Ali & Mangi, Eugenio, 2023. "Structural succession of land resources under the influence of different policies: A case study for Shanxi Province, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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