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Spatial distribution of nature reserves in China: Driving forces in the past and conservation challenges in the future

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  • Wu, Jian
  • Gong, Yazhen
  • Wu, JunJie

Abstract

Nature reserves are hubs of biodiversity conservation in China, but their spatial distributions are not in line with the priority set based on biological criteria. This raises some fundamental questions: What caused this discrepancy? How was the spatial distribution of nature reserves determined in China? This paper aims to address these questions using a unique nation-wide county-level database. Our results reveal that although ecological factors play a significant role in nature reserve designations, economic considerations appear to be more significant in explaining the spatial distribution of local nature reserves in China. The opportunity cost of land conservation affects both the probability of designation and the amount of land designated for nature reserves in a county, and the effects vary by region, type of nature reserves, and time period of designation. Implications of these results for new nature reserve designations and for sustainable conservation of the existing protected areas are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Jian & Gong, Yazhen & Wu, JunJie, 2018. "Spatial distribution of nature reserves in China: Driving forces in the past and conservation challenges in the future," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 31-42.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:77:y:2018:i:c:p:31-42
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.05.021
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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Zhe & Li, Qingqing & Xue, Wenhao & Xu, Zhihua, 2022. "Impacts of nature reserves on local residents' income in China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Zhifeng Zhang & Yuping Tang & Hongyi Pan & Caiyi Yao & Tianyi Zhang, 2022. "Assessment of the Ecological Protection Effectiveness of Protected Areas Using Propensity Score Matching: A Case Study in Sichuan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Li, Shicheng & Zhang, Heng & Zhou, Xuewu & Yu, Haibin & Li, Wangjun, 2020. "Enhancing protected areas for biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    4. Xu, Xibao & Jiang, Bo & Chen, Minkun & Bai, Yang & Yang, Guishan, 2020. "Strengthening the effectiveness of nature reserves in representing ecosystem services: The Yangtze River Economic Belt in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    5. Feng, Dingrao & Bao, Wenkai & Yang, Yuanyuan & Fu, Meichen, 2021. "How do government policies promote greening? Evidence from China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    6. Yicheng Wang & Peng Qin & Shimei Li & Ruidong Wu, 2023. "Schoolchildren in China’s Protected Areas from a Sustainability Perspective: A Preliminary Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-12, June.
    7. Yajuan Wang & Yongheng Rao & Hongbo Zhu, 2023. "Analyzing the Land Use and Cover Change Inside and Outside China’s Ecological Function Area," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Lehrer, David & Becker, Nir & Bar, Pua, 2019. "The drivers behind nature conservation cost," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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