Wildfire, protected areas and forest ownership: The case of China. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Shilei; Xu, Jintao
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 122(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Protected areas -- Wildfire -- Forest ownership; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106372
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Abstract: Protected areas (PAs), which are a major tool for conserving land cover and ecosystem services, are expected to restore natural fire regimes and allow better fire management methods. However, little is known about the relationship between protected area (PA) establishment and fire risk. Using field plots in the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of China, this study is designed to assess the association of PA establishments and fire risk. We find that PA establishments have been significantly related with the decrease of the fire occurrence probability. We also find that forest ownership is a key factor influencing fire activities within protected areas. Inside protected areas, privately or collectively owned plots have a much higher fire occurrence probability than state-owned plots. Empirical evidences shows that inadequate compensation from protects areas of China is one possible reason for the higher fire risk in collective or individual owned forests. As a solution, more financial compensation within PAs is urgently needed in China. Highlights: The establishment of protected areas does reduce the probability of fire occurrence. Forest ownership is a major factor influencing fire activities within PAs. The collective or individual owners lack incentives to improve their fire management.