Study On Performance Of Conversion From Farmland To Forest

This study attempts to discuss the issue of performance of the ecological project of conversion of cropland to forest presently under implementation in China. A comprehensive assessment has been conducted on the policy of conversion of cropland to forest and its impact on the interest of the farmers based on the theories of economics, ecology and land science. By using the method of cost-benefit, it performs a systematic analysis on the cost and benefit of conversion of cropland to forest on different stake holders. With this as the basis and by using the assessment method of multi-objective decision-making, a quantitive study is undertaken on the comprehensive benefits of reforestation. Performance criteria and evaluation model are made and suggestions for improving the performance of conversion of cropland to forest are put forward through the analysis of situation in reforestation area. The study has seven chapters.Chapter One describes the background, the main objectives, basic ideas and logics, content and special and novel aspects of the study.Chapter Two provides the latest information on the theoretical and practical studies of conversion of cropland to forest in China and other countries and makes comments on the theoretical studies regarding issues relevant to the subject of this study. It also compares the special aspects of theoretical studies on reforestation at home and abroad.Chapter Three discusses the theoretical bases of performance evaluation of reforestation by introducing the relevant theories in economics, ecology and land science and provides scientific and theoretical support for the studies on the performance of reforestation.Chapter Four gives the background and effect of the present policy of reforestation and discusses the impact of this policy on the interest of the farmers. In general, this policy is of a success and has an obvious achievement. It also affects the farmers significantly.Chapter Five analyses the cost and benefit of reforestation by using the method of cost and benefit and assesses the cost and benefit on different stake holders. It shall be seen that reforestation will bring significant benefits in many aspects. In particular, the long term benefit on ecology will make a profound return to the huge investment by the government in the long run. However, the cost and benefit will defer for different stake holders.Chapter Six adopts the multi-objective policy making method in the formulation ofcriteria for performance evaluation of reforestation and in the making of the model for the evaluation. In this chapter, the reforestation area in Xingshan County, Hubei Province is taken as an example in the comparison of all the performance criteria before and after reforestation, thus concluding that a much greater comprehensive benefit can be achieved after the reforestation than before it.Chapter Seven offers suggestions to improve efficiency of conversion of cropland to forest through establishing economic compensation mechanics, harmonizing all relationships and relevant supportive system.This study has the following new approaches in its analysis. 1) constructing research system and outline on conversion of cropland to forest from the point of theory, policy, practical and quantitive analysis; 2) formuling of a viable criteria system for the performance evaluation based on the comprehensive analysis on cost and benefit of reforestation. 3) The applying multi-objective decision-making method in the performance evaluation of reforestation, thus working out a model of this evaluation. Reasonable conclusion is drawn by assessing the information of true events. 4) A thorough analysis on reforestation in relation with its long and short term benefit, partial and general benefit, and direct and indirect benefit. 5) The combination of studying performance on conversion from cropland to forest and safeguarding the interest of the farmers and food security, divcovering the best point both the ecosystem protection and food security.