Payoff from afforestation under the Three-North Shelter Forest Program. (20th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cao, Shixiong; Suo, Xinhao; Xia, Chengqi
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 256(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-20
• Subjects: Ecological restoration -- Cost–benefit analysis -- Poverty -- Value of ecosystem services -- Conservation policy; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120461
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Large-scale afforestation is a primary tool for combatting desertification and global warming. However, the consequences for future ecosystems are complex and poorly understood. To judge the payback from afforestation in arid regions, we assessed the effects of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, which is the world's largest ecological restoration program, in predominantly semi-arid to arid regions in China. Our analysis revealed a net loss of 230.8 × 10 9 RMB annually for afforestation, suggesting that tree planting is a poor choice in much of northern China. However, establishment of fruit tree plantations and protecting vegetation to allow natural recovery produced large annual benefits (235.5 × 10 9 RMB and 447.43 × 10 9 RMB, respectively) due to having the highest product value and lowest restoration cost, respectively. Because the net benefits were negative for artificial afforestation, and some net benefits were negative for some restoration programs in some regions, it is essential to change the proportions of the different restoration methods both to improve the restoration success and ensure the survival of the residents in areas affected by the program. Highlights: Our more comprehensive form of cost–benefit analysis reveals net benefits. We applied the method to China's Three North Shelter Forest Program. Forest protection to allow natural recovery gave high net benefits due to low cost. Fruit tree plantations provided high net benefits due to income from fruit sales.