Challenges for China's forest management

The world's forests are in crisis. Almost half of the Earth's original forests have been destroyed and, of what remains, only a tiny fraction is adequately protected. Worldwide, some 26 hectares of forests (the equivalent of 37 football fields) are being lost every minute. Worldwide demand for paper has increased fivefold since the 1950s, and it is expected to double again over the next 50 years.

For millions of years, the high peaks and deep valleys of China's forests have promoted speciation and provided refuge during ice ages, and as a result, are the most biologically diverse temperate forests on earth. China's forests harbor over 2800 tree species and multitudes of other plants, and are also home to numerous rare and threatened animals such as the giant panda, golden monkey, snow leopard, and crested ibis. Forested uplands protect China's lowland river valleys by storing rainfall and gradually releasing it so as to reduce the severity of droughts and floods, preventing soils from eroding, and making possible the country's intensive irrigated agriculture system. Forests also provide 40% of the fuel for rural households. For these reasons, China has been called the most forest-dependent civilization in the world.

Basic facts

Since 1998, China has stopped commercial logging of its natural forest in 17 provinces. However, China is now the world's second largest wood importer (after the US), with nearly 15 million cubic meters of timber imported in 2000 (as compared to about 4 million cubic meters before the ban), and is hastening the destruction of South-east Asian and Siberian forests.

Logging, in large part responsible for the tragic floods in China in 1998, led to over 2500 deaths, the displacement of millions of people, and billions of dollars in damages

Forests cover only 17% of China's territory, compared to an international average of 34%

Key threats

Logging of forests

Clearance of forests for agriculture and other uses