| “Grain for Green Project” is one important project of ecological construction and environmental protection in China,which is also the most widespread project aimed to strengthen agriculture and benefit farmers.Since 1999,it has achieved significantly ecological and economical effects.In the face of its tremendous impacts,we should properly evaluate and analyze the ecological,economic and social benefits of this project,which could guide the following ecological projects.The 19 th CPC National Congress argued that we must realize that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and act on this understanding,implement our fundamental national policy of conserving resources and protecting the environment.We should also adopt a holistic approach to conserving our mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes,and grasslands,and develop eco-friendly growth models and ways of life to build beautiful China.The continuation of “Grain for Green Project” can make the above targets come true.In recent years,some scholars have studied the benefits of returning farmland to forests,but few have evaluated the ecological,economic and social benefits in Shaanxi province,especially in the Weibei dryland.Meanwhile,the analysis of forest fires,pests and their impacts on forest growth and health was rarely reported in this region.Therefore,to conduct the benefit and health analysis of returning farmland to forest in Weibei area has an important practical guiding role for the better implementation of the project.This study takes Xunyi county,Shaanxi province as an example.On the one hand,by analyzing the impact of returning farmland to forest on forest coverage rate,proportion of primary industry,total output value of forestry,rural per capita net income,proportion of farming population,arable land area and grain yield,the ecological benefits,economic benefits and social benefits of returning farmland to forest are comprehensively evaluated.On the other hand,by analyzing the status quo of forest trees,forest fires,forest diseases and insect pests,the prominent health problems existing in the forest areas were evaluated.The main conclusions are as follows:First,the conversion of farmland to forests has promoted the improvement of regional ecological environment,significantly increased forest coverage(increased from 47.1% to56.2% during 2000 and 2015),rapid growth of forest resources,and significantly accelerated the pace of soil erosion control.The area of mountain shrubby-grassland is41186 hm2.Second,returning farmland to forests has promoted the transformation and development of regional economy,accelerated the adjustment of agricultural industrial structure,and developed characteristic forestry industry(walnut,Chinese red pepper,peach and almond)with total value of forestry output improved from 7.68 million in 2000 to 74 million RMB in2016.It also liberated rural labor productivity and increased farmers’ economic income.Third,the conversion of farmland to forests has promoted the per mu grain yield in the region.The number of people engaged in farming has decreased and the area of cultivated land has decreased(2.974 to 2.775 ten thousand hm2 from 2000 to 2016),but the per mu grain yield has increased and the total grain yield has increased(8.67 to 11 ten thousand tons from 2000 to 2016).The net income for farmers increased from 1324 in 2000 to 9824 RMB in2016.Fourthly,in the implementation stage of returning farmland to forest,due to unreasonable design and planning,single planting tree species,large density,and inadequate tending,poor forest appearance was caused,and forest fires,diseases and insect pests increased,which were harmful for the healthy development of forests.Fifthly,the proportion of economic forest planted by returning farmland to forest is too small(10% compared to 90% of ecological forests),which will not play a big role in the development of forestry and the increase of farmers’ income. |
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