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Erosion control is one of the most important functions of forest ecosystems, and its accurate assessment is useful to illuminate the importance of forest ecosystem services for humans so as to rationally conserve forest resources. This paper examines Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the first national forest park in China, to seek practical methods for assessment of the forest erosion control function using a geographical information system (GIS). The results show that the potential and actual amounts of soil erosion are 2.92 million ton and 0.14 million ton per year, respectively, in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The total reduction in soil loss reaches 2.77 million ton per year with the existence of a forest ecosystem. The erosion control function of near mature, mature and over mature broadleaf forest is excellent, and natural forest conservation and natural restoration of the degraded forest ecosystem can provide the largest benefits in soil erosion control. Nearly all the near mature, mature and over-mature forest in the park is at the top and in steep mountain areas, and could be rationally cut and utilized by local communities, but extensive timber felling should be strictly prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North China Plain is one of the most important production areas for wheat and maize in China, and also has the densest agricultural population in China. How to use and develop the limited land resources reasonably, and improve and protect them, have become issues of major concern. This paper is based on sustainability theory, reviewing the fundamental principles of sustainability, and developing an index system with which to evaluate the sustainability status of land use. We also use this method to evaluate the land-use status of the North China Plain and to analyze current factors affecting sustainable land use in this area. In addition, we propose a specific method for evaluating sustainable land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban heat islands (UHI) are a common phenomenon in most cities, and one of the most effective ways to mitigate UHI negative effects is with urban vegetation. This paper uses the mono-window algorithm for retrieving land surface temperature (LST) based on remote-sensing data, and simulates thermal effects in five situations, using different amounts of urban vegetation within the built-up area of Beijing. Our analyses indicated that the computed Near Surface Air Temperature (NSAT) of the current situation (25 July 2005) was 295.86 K at 02:47 which is comparable to the real observed mean NSAT (296 K) at that time. When all urban vegetation was removed, the mean LST and NSAT increased by 1.95 K and 0.92 K compared to the current situation. In addition, the mean NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) increased to 0.22-0.42, while the mean NSAT decreased to 294.98-293.08 K, which is close to a temperature comfortable to humans (295-293 K) in that area. Our work should provide information for the government of Beijing and the public on the importance of urban vegetation in counteracting effects of UHI during urban land use and management projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-industrial park projects have become increasingly popular in China. Because of their rapid proliferation and the lack of accepted and common characteristics, the performance of these projects has been difficult to evaluate. In 2006, the former State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) of China became the first national organization to establish a national standard for eco-industrial parks. This paper aims to explore the applicability and feasibility of the selected indicators. First, it presents the details of this new standard. Second, the feasibility of the new standard is explored by applying the indicators to two industrial zones in China. The benefits and challenges faced in applying the indicators are then discussed in relation to the literature. The analysis demonstrates that the new indicators have a fairly narrow focus on eco-efficiency, rather than a broad objective of ecologically sustainable industrial development. Nevertheless, the Chinese standard is a useful beginning. In future, the authors suggest that this set of indicators be revised to add ecological dimensions that will help promote more sustainable development of industrial parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reclaiming farmland from lakes in China in the 1950s damaged the water quality of many lakes. Tremendous efforts have been made since the late 1990s to restore vegetation around the damaged lakes. This paper examines water quality of Fuxian and Qilu Lakes and land-use characteristics within the two catchments in the high-altitude area of Yunnan Province, China. Landsat TM data acquired in 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2005 were used to extract land use and land cover (LULC) information. Measurements of five water quality indices (WQIs), BOD, COD, pH, TN and TP, for the same period of time were examined. The results showed that the area of residential and forest/shrub increased, whereas that of cropland and barren land decreased from 1989 to 2005 in both catchments. Qilu Lake was much more polluted than Fuxian Lake, and pollution worsened over time for both lakes. The differences in water quality between the two lakes were caused by differences in LULC composition and continued degradation in water quality was caused by intensive farming and urban sprawl. Unless the landscape is converted back to its pre-1950 composition and structure, water quality in both lakes cannot be significantly improved and will continue to threaten sustainable development in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanisation and serious environmental problems have led people worldwide to realise the significance of urban planning and management towards a sustainable environment. Beijing was used as a case study to develop a framework and strategies for sustainable development using ecological principles. At the regional level, Beijing-Tianjin agglomeration and Hebei Province are considered together. At the Beijing administrative level, some important measures are put forward for revision of the Beijing Urban Master Plan. At the Beijing plain level, the future spatial structure of Beijing city and the relationship between settlements, green space and transportation are considered, and three basic development patterns are proposed. At the inner district level, the ecological corridor system is suggested, based on ecosystem services. At the selected area level, a comprehensive strategy and key measures for conservation and renewal of old Beijing city core are provided. Once strategies for Beijing urban development are implemented step-by-step, a vision for future development can be achieved. This paper provides considerations for improvement of urban planning and management in China and other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo forests, due to their special characteristics and ecological functions, play an important role in sustainable forest management and rural development in China. Over the past two decades, China has successfully established millions of hectares of bamboo forest, which has restored fragile ecosystems, provided benefits to local communities, alleviated rural poverty and eased timber shortages. However, there is potential for further improvements to the bamboo forest estate. This paper analyses the current state of bamboo forest resources and management, and the roles of the bamboo forest industry in social development, economic growth and ecosystem protection in China. We examine the main issues related to governance systems, local economic development and traditional management practices. Finally, we suggest some directions for future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, wildlife is facing increasing threats from rapid urbanisation in China. Ecological safety for wildlife requires an ecosystem that provides the conditions necessary for sustaining life. In this paper, two major breeding habitats and ten typical foraging habitats of egrets living in the urban environment were selected to assess the extent to which the needs of egrets can be satisfied and maintained. Ecological suitability and impacts from humans are the two major factors affecting egret ecological safety. An ecological indicator system was adopted to assess the ecological suitability of areas. Different land-use types were used to represent different degrees of human impact on the egret habitats, by employing a geographic information system. The results show that the two breeding habitats are at a safe level, while the ten foraging habitats are on the whole marginally safe. Full attention should be given to the conservation of wildlife foraging habitats in Xiamen Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces Chinese urban forestry research in terms of the concept, forest types, ecosystem services, spatial structure, planning and construction, assessment and management. Modern Chinese urban forest had a close relationship with traditional landscape architecture. Urban forest services had been quantified in some case cities, and determined by urban forest spatial patterns and internal structures. Based on landscape ecology and urban planning, urban forest spatial patterns have been analysed and planned rationally in some cities. However, studies on urban forestry generally lack long-term, continuous and systemic observations, as well as in-depth research on ecological processes and mechanisms. The development trends in urban forestry in China might include extensive application of '3S' technology, research on the relationship between urban forest landscape spatial patterns and their ecological effects, economic assessment, ecological and economic benefits and studies on the negative effects of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface ozone (O3) pollution, a critical environmental challenge facing government agencies at all levels, is becoming more and more serious in China, especially in rapidly developing urban areas like Beijing. However, in China, few studies have evaluated the contribution of various pollution sources to surface O3, e.g. motor vehicles. In this paper, we combined a non-linear model with an analysis of motor vehicle emissions of NOx and VOCs in an integrated approach to estimate the contribution of motor vehicle emissions to surface O3. The model showed that, in urban areas of Beijing in 2000, the contribution of motor vehicle emissions to surface O3 was 45.9%, and that elimination of 20.0% of motor vehicle emissions will lead to a 7.4% reduction in surface O3, while elimination of 20.0% of NOx or VOC emissions from motor vehicles will result in a 5.0% and 2.5% decline, respectively, in surface O3. In addition, elimination of 10,000 t of NOX from motor vehicles results in the same reduction in surface O3 as elimination of 25,631 t of VOCs. Thus, controlling NOx, emissions from motor vehicles is an effective way to control surface O3 pollution in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the pressures of climate change, many countries are trying to adapt to a low-carbon economy. In this paper, we review the development pattern of the low-carbon economy of major countries and its impact on the world economy. We then argue that economic development and abatement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China should be balanced. The challenges that China faces should also be considered carefully. It is necessary for China to find an approach to solve the issues of climate change, which should include new technologies and establishing incentive mechanisms and reform-oriented policies. These guidelines can adjust the structure of the economy and energy use, improve energy efficiency, promote the development of alternative and renewable energy, enhance the potential of carbon sinks, and develop advanced technology to perfect a 'Clean Development Mechanism' and sustainable development through international cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy consumption increases with urbanisation. This paper developed evaluation indicators and calculations for energy consumption changes, and advances a new indicator, Energy Consumption Unit Geometric Average (ECUGA) elasticity coefficient and its calculation. The ECUGA elasticity coefficient can explore energy consumption changes and make comparisons among countries at different urbanisation stages. The general trend of energy consumption changes is summarised at different urbanisation stages based on values for 45 countries. For China, the ECUGA elasticity coefficient first increases and then decreases, with the peak of urbanisation at 40% to 50%. China's ECUGA elasticity coefficient for 1978-2005 and 2010-2050 differed from the general trend, with a decrease until urbanisation reached 40%, followed by a rapid increase at 40% to 50%, and then a decrease from 50% to 80%. Although the increase and decrease of China's ECUGA elasticity coefficient is faster than in other countries, the values are always lower than the average for these countries at corresponding urbanisation stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines agropastoral transhumance in 12 sampled villages on the southeast Tibetan Plateau. By analysing trends in this indigenous livelihood system and examining causes and potential consequences, we conclude that Tibetan agropastoral transhumance is a fragile system extremely vulnerable to external impacts. Within the context of China's rapid development and globalisation, this agricultural heritage is changing rapidly, as is most saliently reflected in herd size and structure, movement patterns, relative economic importance of pastoral activities and the relations between pastoralism and crop cultivation. Immediate causes of changes are local changes in livestock management objectives, land uses and labour availability, which are driven by more fundamental changes of environmental, political, socioeconomic, technological and cultural profiles, from local to global scales. Changes in local livelihood systems can have multifaceted and profound political, socioeconomic, cultural and ecological consequences, in both constructive and destructive terms. Policy-makers and/or project designers must have a holistic perspective so as to integrate multiple objectives of promoting sustainable socioeconomic development, preserving biological and cultural diversities and maintaining the environmentally stable balance of human society, animal population and ecosystem that has existed in the area for centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the environmental implications of food consumption, from the viewpoint of carbon consumption in Beijing urban households, considering the effects of increasing carbon flux on the environment and alterations in food systems in terms of the carbon cycle. The average food carbon consumption was calculated and analysed in terms of household socioeconomic variables. Several patterns of food carbon consumption with definite socioeconomic characteristics were identified. An average of 279.3 kg food carbon was consumed by households per annum, and was dominated by grain carbon (34.3%). The number of household members, average household age, proportion of male members, education and occupation influence total food carbon consumption of a household. Income influenced consumption of certain foods, thus causing differences in the structure of food carbon consumption. High food carbon consumption patterns tend to emerge in large-size, medium-age, high-male, high-income, medium-education families. Among these, households with a higher age and higher education level have a higher vegetarian carbon dietary pattern, while other households have a higher meat carbon dietary pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of consideration of environmental water requirements (EWR) in water resource allocation has caused several environmental problems in the Haihe River Basin, North China. This highlights an urgent need to study EWR and ensure instruments for sustainable water resource management in the basin. In this study, EWR scenarios were calculated for 2010 and 2030, giving values are 6.58 billion m³ in 2002, 9.22 billion m³ in 2010, and 11.62 billion m³ in 2030. Three policies and management instruments were used to address EWR, including the South-North water transfer scheme, water price policy modifications and agricultural water saving. Compared with lack of adoption of such measures, these three management instruments may mitigate acute water scarcity and lead to some improvements. This paper attempts to establish a link between adoption of measures, impact on water user sectors and environmental consequences. It also provides a basis for discussion about the effectiveness of these measures and notes additional controversies among technical, political and economic instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper computes efficient three industrial waste abatements (solid, water and gas) for 30 regions in China from 1996-2003. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) with a single output (real GDP) and five inputs (labour, real capital stock, solid wastes, waste water and waste gas) is used to compute the target wastes of each region for each year. The efficient abatement ratios of each region in each year are then obtained by comparing the actual waste to the actual waste of a pollutant. Our major findings are: 1. The east area contains the most efficient regions with respect to the three wastes in every year during the research period. 2. The east, central and west areas have 1996-2003 average target abatement ratios of solidwastes of 24.90%, 64.77% and 62.33%, of waste water 14.27%, 27.45% and 32.01%, and of waste gas 18.42%, 43.21% and 46.66%, respectively. 3. Because the central and west areas have similar critical problems on the three wastes, China is actually divided into two parts considering the three wastes. 4. Compared with the cases of waste water and gas, solid waste reduction is China's most urgent task. Efficient three industrial waste abatement for regions in China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial SO2 is the most important air pollutant in China. This paper outlines the technological impacts on industrial SO2 emissions in China in terms of: amount, intensity, structure of energy consumption and structure of energy-intensive industries. It shows that industrial SO emissions have linear growth alongside increases in energy consumption, particularly the rise in coal consumption. The contribution of technological factors to decreases in the intensity of energy consumption is 25%, while the structural factor is 75%. The power industry accounts tor 52.6% of total industrial SO2. Optimisation of the structure of energy consumption can reduce SO2 emissions by 1.98 million tonnes per year. We propose the following technological strategies for industrial SO2 abatement: adjustment of the system and structure of thermal power generating units, acceleration of flue gas desulphurisation projects, transformation of industrial structures, development of eco-industries and a reduction in energy consumption per unit product. In addition, an effective way to abate industrial SO2 emissions is to promote governance strategies to stricly enforce SO2 emission standards, conduct emission trading, and formulate incentives for encouraging cleaner production and clean energy, development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lugu lake is an alpine lake in Yunnan Province in western China. It is famous for its beautiful scenery and the special culture of Mosuo people in this area. The lake is becoming contaminated and eutrophicated because of the huge number of visitors and improvements in agriculture during the last decade. This paper uses the water quality index (WQI) as an indicator to describe trends in contamination of Lugu Lake from 1995 to 2004 and analyses several parameters to determine the causes and consequences of contamination. We found that the dominant cause was pollution from tourism and suggest some feasible measures to prevent further deterioration of the lake water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Agro-Pastoral Transition Zone in Northern China (APTZNC) is one of the world's distinct ecological ecotones, covering 69 x 104 km² and having a population of approximately 6.7 x 107. The location of the APTZNC reflects its importance as a vast natural ecological shelterbelt, with an important role in national environmental protection. However, in recent years, the APTZNC has been seriously damaged do to overgrazing and reclamation disturbances, thus endangering the development of farming and animal husbandry and threatening national ecological security. The Chinese State Council issued a paper on 'Construct Planning of the National Environment' that confirmed the region as one of four priority areas for consideration by 2010. The results of the present study indicate that heavy population pressure and overgrazing are the main causes for ecological deterioration, and that desertification is the primary obstacle that limits farming and livestock production. The implementation of an ecological population emigration policy, regulation of farming ecosystem structure to forage and grass cultivation, and adjusting the agricultural central production value from farming to livestock breeding are essential strategies required to harmonise agricultural development and ecological protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's policy on structural adjustment of its agriculture is an effective instrument for increasing agricultural production and developing the rural economy. The policy interventions used included converting cultivated land from growing grain crops to cash crops and increasing the production of meat, eggs and milk. The impacts of these changes on grain supply between 1998 and 2004 are identified and quantified at national and regional levels. The data on cultivated land diverted to other purposes are presented for the benefit of the decision maker. The paper concludes that the policy had significant impacts on China's grain supply, which declined by 14.4% of the total grain output in 1998. However, nearly 40% of the cultivated land at national level could potentially be converted by 2010. Regional disparities in the extent of the reduction in grain supply and in land conversion are highlighted with reference to different economic conditions and policy directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landscape diversity reflects the integrated natural characteristics of rural areas, to some extent, while industrial structure shows the regional social economic characteristics. Therefore, correlation research on rural industrial structure and landscape diversity may couple the natural environment and social economy, which is of great importance to rural sustainable development. In this paper, we carried through this research from two aspects. First, we made a qualitative analysis of the hierarchical correlation beween rural industrial structure and landscape diversity, and the correlation during different historical periods was also summarized. Second, taking Yongsheng County, Yunnan Province, China as a case study, we applied the method of hierarchical clustering to make a quantitative analysis of the clustering correlation between rural industrial structure and landscape diversity. The results show that there are correlations between rural industrial structure and landscape diversity. That is, different industrial structures may result in similar landscape diversity in developed rural areas; while in developing rural areas industrial structure cannot exclusively determine landscape diversity, which is also influenced by natural factors, such as landform, physiognomy and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three Gorges Reservoir area contains high mountains and deep valleys. The fragile mountainous ecosystems are facing problems such as overpopulation, less available farmland, ecological degradation and poverty. The construction of the Three Gorges Project and a series of ecological restoration activities and social-economic changes have influenced the present and future viability of this area. The measures which have been taken indicate that restoring and renewing the degraded ecosystems and improving the economy is a prerequisite and is possible. Yunyang, a typical county, both in terms of poverty and ecological degradation in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of Chongqing Municipality, was chosen for the case study. This paper discusses the impacts of the Grain-for-Green project, ecological agriculture, urban and infrastructure building and ecological immigrants on the regional sustainable development through detailed field investigation and a questionnaire survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a survey of 107 farm households by means of participatory rural appraisal, this paper presents a region-level analysis of farmer's perception and response towards land policies and eco-environment in the Loess hilly area, China. The surveyed farmers are divided into two groups, farmers on non-irrigated farmland and farmers on irrigated farmland. The results indicate that most farmers mainly depend on cropland, especially the farmers on non-irrigated farmland. Farmers believe that stability and persistence of land policies are important, and most hold a positive attitude towards the Grain-for-Green Programme. The farmers on irrigated farmland have a more favourable attitude to environmental conservation than the farmers of non-irrigated farmland. Nearly 80% of interviewees consider that the local eco-environment has improved in the last ten years. About 45% never consider the environmental impact of their agriculture practices. About 55% think drought is the most important reason for eco-environment deterioration, overgrazing and serious soil erosion. Soil and water conservation is not conscious and voluntary behaviour for farmers, it is only a measure to guarantee their basic agricultural production and to improve their living conditions. Results indicate that farmers on nonirrigated land find engineering approaches more beneficial to agronomic methods. However, the farmers on irrigated farmland pay more attention to improving farmland quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although half of the administrative units in China are said to have implemented their local Agenda 21, the promotion of sustainable communities is not pervasive. In this paper, we adopted a relatively untried mode of analysis and a socioeconomic context to illustrate the potentials and failures of China's grassroots local government bodies in achieving sustainable waste management. Our study shows that, among the three main functions of sustainable waste management (ensuring environmental hygiene, provision of recycling logistics and changing the consumption pattern of the local community) for local governments, grassroots local government bodies in mainland China are only able to do the minimum, i.e. ensuring environmental hygiene and handling complaints. One of the reasons for the failure is that, despite the emphasis on capacity building in China's Agenda 21, the reality is that no action is taken to empower grassroots local government. Despite the high profile accorded by the Chinese central government to motivating local governments to formulate their own Agenda 21, local sustainability and waste management performance have little relevance to the appraisal systems of these government agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 mad 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 mad 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since the Earth Summit was launched at Rio de Janeiro, research has been done on the problems of developing indices for the health of the environment and for its sustainable development. However, this research has concentrated more on national and regional levels than on local levels, more on spatial comparisons than on time series analysis, more on short-term than on long-time analysis, more on qualitative than on quantitative analysis. In contrast, therefore, this paper presents an indicator system procedure for measuring Beijing (the capital of China) environmental sustainability based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) philosophy, evaluates the trend of Beijing environmental sustainability index (BESI) quantitatively for 21 years, from 1983 to 2003, and suggests three great opportunities in the near future that are expected to provide some dependable information to policy makers. The results suggest that Beijing is still far from environmental sustainable development. The total trend was better in the 1980s than in the 1990s, and has improved slightly since 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1999, the Chinese government initiated a massive conservation programme, the 'Grain-for-Green' programme, to reduce soil erosion and to improve the eco-environmental status in western China through the set-aside of sloping agricultural lands and their conversion to forest and pasture. The attitudes and perceptions of farmers towards Grain-for-Green are little known, but will eventually dictate the direction and, ultimately, the success of the project. This paper interprets surveys concerning attitudes towards environmental protection, in general, and the Grain-for-Green programme, in particular, in two small catchments in the Loess hilly area. Participatory Rural Assessment techniques are used as survey instruments mad logistic regression analysis is used to analyze farmers' attitudes towards environmental conservation and Grain-for-Green. Most respondents are positive about environmental protection and Grain-for-Green in general. However, marked differences are evident between the two small catchments: the level of farmers' environmental protection consciousness in Anjiapo catchment is higher than that in Danangou catchment. Respondents in Azajiapo catchment expressed more support for the programme than respondents in Danangou catchment. Environmental care by farmers may not be sustainable should the programme come to an end. The results provide a useful insight into the interests and concerns of farmers, which might lead to a more positive attitude in officials in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of sustainability is the core of research on sustainable land use. To a certain extent, traditional social, economic and ecological evaluation for sustainable land use can be regarded as an appraisal on the temporal scale without evaluation of spatial patterns. Landscape ecology can help to realize spatial evaluation for sustainable land use. In this paper, we construct landscape ecological indicators for evaluating sustainable coastal land use from the aspects of landscape productivity, threats and stability, to realize a synthetic temporal-spatial evaluation. These cover the five pillars of sustainable land use, i.e. productivity, security, protection, viability and acceptability. The results of applying landscape ecological evaluation to a case study in Wudi County in China show that land use sustainability is somewhat low and there are great regional differences between its 11 villages. We classified the 11 villages into 5 grades: strong sustainable land use, sustainable land use, weak sustainable land use, weak unsustainable land use, and strong unsustainable land use. Each grade has different land use characteristics and differs in the countermeasures required. But the core countermeasures in all the grades are to improve landscape productivity, to reduce human threats and to optimize landscape patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the objectives, strategies and barriers to cleaner production (CP) implementation in China. Successful demonstration projects in China have shown that CP is a strategy for reducing pollution and costs, increasing competitiveness and achieving an integrated balance between economic and environmental benefits. As such, it is an inevitable choice and important contribution to sustainable development. However, it has not progressed enough as a strategy for continuous improvement since its effects are limited to industrial sectors or regions. CP implementation can be assisted by further popularization, policy system improvement, perception and awareness raising and technology innovation. These dimensions are the key tasks and incentives for all levels of government, enterprises and social organizations in moving toward sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, as a source of food security, plays an essential role in ensuring sustainable food resources for a growing population. However, water scarcity has increasingly become a constraint to economic development, particularly food production. The water-food challenge is impending because of China's increasing population and water demand. The concept of virtual water is useful to analyze this problem. In this paper, the implications and policy relevance of virtual water are expounded. Based on imported food volumes, it is calculated that an annual average of 10.52 x 109 m³ of virtual water embodied in imported wheat and maize in the period between 1990 and 2000 is equivalent to 23% of the annual average transfer water volume of the South-North Water Transfer (SNWT) project. Consequently, this 29.3 x 106 ha of virtual land is equivalent to 19% of China's arable land in 2000. Using the grain import prediction and the agricultural production conditions of China, the virtual water equivalents of China in 2010 and 2020 are evaluated, and are about 88 x 109 m³ in 2010 and 95 x 109 m³ in 2020, respectively. Importing virtual water embedded in traded food can alleviate water stress and even achieve food security. Virtual water trade may compensate for water demands for not only the past but also the future. Meanwhile, water trade can store water in its virtual water form, enabling food storage to play a potential role in solving food problems, as well as promoting sustainability of water resources in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has seen rapid economic growth over the past two decades, but severe environmental problems have accompanied this, such as the looming danger of Asian Brown Clouds. This paper analyzes the regional development of China by examining economic performance and environmental factors. Technical efficiency and productivity changes in 31 regions of China are computed for the period 1997-2001. In the case of regional GDP, the fast-developing eastern (coastal) regions experience higher technical efficiency and productivity growth than the inland central and western regions. When environmental factors are incorporated, the eastern regions still perform better than inland regions, both from static and dynamic analysis. This phenomenon is termed the 'double deterioration' of the inland areas in China. Double deterioration is attributed to the lack of economic resources to replace highly-polluting production equipment and technology in those less developed regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological regionalization is a base for rational management and sustainable utilization of ecosystems and natural resources. It can provide a scientific basis for constructing healthy ecological environments and making policies of environmental management. In this paper, based on synthetic analysis of the characteristics of the ecology and environments of China, the principles of ecological regionalization are discussed, and indices and nomenclature of ecological regionalization are proposed. The ecoregions on a national scale are divided. The results show that there are 3 domains, 13 ecoregions and 57 ecodistricts. The present scheme can be used as a framework for ecosystem assessment and management. Based on the ecoregions, measurements of management for forest, grassland, agriculture and wetland ecosystems are recommended. The experience and information can be used within and beyond the national scale for landuse planning, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of socioeconomic and ecological alternatives, a pilot project was conducted in Shanxin village, Cangwu County, Guangxi Province of Southern China. First, a participatory diagnosis of the degree and causes of mountain forest degradation and the current forest management state was carried out. Second, a participatory planning scheme was undertaken, based on the principle of protecting water and soil and alleviating poverty. A guarantee system to reclaim a patch of typical degraded secondary forest was established, planned to be a demonstration sample for promoting local forest sustainable management. Finally, the implementation of the planning scheme was monitored and evaluated. It was found that 80% of the seedlings replanted were dead, meaning the pilot trial had failed. Through further diagnosis and analysis the problem was isolated, and some gaps in the administration process and formulation of the guidelines were identified. In this paper, the lessons learned ate documented, and targeted participatory management strategies ate suggested for future sustainable development projects in poor mountain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past decades have witnessed the rise of sustainable agriculture movements throughout the world. In parallel with this international trend, ecological agriculture (with essential goals of food security, rural employment, poverty alleviation, natural resources management and environmental protection) has been advocated as a workable approach for the realization of sustainable agriculture in China. Two decades of ecological agricultural development have shown that it not only gained legitimacy at the senior policy level but also became a focus of scientific research in fields such as ecological economics, ecology, and agricultural and environmental sciences. However, this endeavour is hardly known in the West and little attention has been paid so far to examining the broader politico-economic and socio-cultural contexts within which it has evolved. This paper attempts to provide a general review of the emerging background, development history, policy initiatives and recent tendencies of ecological agriculture. In addition, the extant problems and potential contributions of this alternative practice to China's sustainable agricultural development are discussed. The purpose of this study is to identify the gap between the policy rhetoric and practical implementation of Chinese ecological agriculture and therefore to facilitate its moving towards sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]