Abstract:

The Conversion of Farmland to Forests Programme (CFF) is one of the six great ecological forest programmes in China. Since CFF as an extensive ecological project is just starting to implement and its technological operation is extremely complicated, it is in critical need for the support from science and technology, especially the key technologies in the form of optimized models and their associated techniques. The study covers the model area of CFF in hill_gully subregion of Loess Plateau, and for the first time introduces system dynamics and other latest theories and methodologies. By means of five combied technical lines including the site observation of field stations and extensive investigations etc., and over 10 000 original data obtained in the fields of natural science, social science and economics, the optimized models of CFF were studied systemetially. Optimized operational models integrating maximized ecological, economic and social benefits and reflecting sustainability concepts were proposed for typical sites of CFF: the Pinus tabulaeformis × Platycladus orientalis × Zanthoxylum Spp. × Robinia pseudoacacia model at the eroded flat ridges of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. The model contains specific supporting technologies and operational mechanism.

Key words: Conversion of Farmland to Forests, Optimized model, Hill-gully subregion of Loess Plateau