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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (7): 72-82.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250302

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Forestry Science and Technology Innovation and Application in the Great Green Wall Project of China

Weiyuan Kong1,2(),Guipeng Cui1,2,Pan Gao1,Mengchun Cui1,Xiaoe Que1,2,Huanying Feng2,3,Qi Lu1,2,*()   

  1. 1. Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 100091
    2. Institute of Great Green Wall Beijing 100091
    3. Experimental Centre of Forestry in North China, Chinese Academy of Forestry Beijing 102300
  • Received:2025-05-12 Online:2025-07-20 Published:2025-07-25
  • Contact: Qi Lu E-mail:wykong@caf.ac.cn;luqi@caf.ac.cn

Abstract:

Since its implementation in 1978, the Three-North Shelterbelt Project (TNSP, also known as the Great Green Wall Project, GGWP) has become a globally acclaimed paradigm of ecological construction, achieving remarkable success in increasing forest coverage, combating aeolian hazards and soil and water erosion, enhancing carbon sinks, and improving the regional ecological environment. Innovation in forestry and grassland science and technology (S&T) has been one of the consisting driving forces behind the success of the GGWP, ensuring the scientific basis of its planning, construction, and management, significantly improving the efficiency of ecological restoration and governance, and substantially enhancing its international influence, with its technological models receiving widespread recognition. This paper systematically reviews the achievements of forestry and grassland S&T and related interdisciplinary fields and their crucial supporting roles in the implementation of the GGWP, specifically covering five aspects: strategic planning, fundamental surveys, mechanistic research, technological innovation, and monitoring and assessment. It highlights fundamental mechanistic studies on ecological degradation mechanisms and restoration strategies, eco-hydrological processes and effects of shelterbelts, and identification of dust source areas and transport mechanisms, as well as key technological models for vegetation restoration on difficult sites, quality and efficiency improvement of shelterbelts, and the integration of ecological governance with industrial development. Furthermore, the paper points out the strategic priorities and main directions for future innovation in forestry and grassland S&T, emphasizing that special attention should be paid to key areas such as precise climate change response and adaptation strategies centered on sustainable water resource utilization, vegetation restoration and quality-efficiency enhancement of degraded ecosystems, deep integration and intelligent application of smart forestry and grassland technologies, mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products and innovation in eco-industrial technologies, and cross-regional collaborative governance and integrated management. This paper aims to provide scientific support and reference for winning the critical battle of the GGWP and for promoting forestry and grassland S&T innovation by deeply analyzing S&T history, summarizing practical experiences, and prospecting future innovation directions, and to contribute Chinese experience and wisdom for the international community in addressing similar ecological challenges.

Key words: the Great Green Wall Project, forestry science, ecological restoration, shelterbelt

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