Climate and Environmental Change

The impact of cropland conversion on environmental effect in the Loess Plateau: a pilot study based on the national experimental bases

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  • 1. Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, CAS, Yangling 712100, China;

    2. Northwest A &|F University, Yangling 712100, China

Received date: 2005-05-08

  Revised date: 2005-07-20

  Online published: 2005-12-25

Supported by

Knowledge Innovation Project of CAS, No.KZCX3-SW-421; National Key Task Research of the Ninth Five-Year Plan, No.96-004-05; Knowledge Innovation Project of CAS, No.KZCX1-06; Special Research Foundation of ISWC, CAS, No.ISWC-SP-C128

Abstract

Conversion of cropland to forestry and grassland is an important method to reduce soil erosion and improve the biophysical environment in the Loess Plateau. The feasibility, methods, and environmental effects of cropland conversion were studied based on 11 typical watersheds of national experimental bases instead of different geographic areas of the Loess Plateau. Between 1986 and 2000, cropland, sloping cropland and non-agricultural land decreased by 8%, 92.5% and 8% respectively, while forestry increased by 15.7%. The land use change not only decreased annual soil erosion by 74%, but also increased vegetation coverage by 100% and improved the soil condition and biodiversity. This can be achieved by building basic farmland, increasing capital and scientific input, and planting trees and grasses according to the natural biophysical restrictions.

Cite this article

WANG Fei, LI Rui, JIAO Feng, YANG Qingke, TIAN Junliang . The impact of cropland conversion on environmental effect in the Loess Plateau: a pilot study based on the national experimental bases[J]. Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2005 , 15(4) : 484 -490 . DOI: 10.1360/gs050412

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