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Increased vegetation growth and carbon stock in China karst via ecological engineering

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaowei Tong

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Martin Brandt

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Yuemin Yue

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Stephanie Horion

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Kelin Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wanda De Keersmaecker

    (KU Leuven)

  • Feng Tian

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Guy Schurgers

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Xiangming Xiao

    (University of Oklahoma
    Institute of Biodiversity Science)

  • Yiqi Luo

    (University of Oklahoma
    Northern Arizona University
    Tsinghua University)

  • Chi Chen

    (Boston University)

  • Ranga Myneni

    (Boston University)

  • Zheng Shi

    (University of Oklahoma)

  • Hongsong Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Rasmus Fensholt

    (University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

Afforestation and reforestation projects in the karst regions of southwest China aim to combat desertification and improve the ecological environment. However, it remains unclear at what scale conservation efforts have impacted on carbon stocks and if vegetation regrowth occurs at a large spatial scale as intended. Here we use satellite time series data and show a widespread increase in leaf area index (a proxy for green vegetation cover), and aboveground biomass carbon, which contrasted negative trends found in the absence of anthropogenic influence as simulated by an ecosystem model. In spite of drought conditions, aboveground biomass carbon increased by 9% (+0.05 Pg C y−1), mainly in areas of high conservation effort. We conclude that large scale conservation projects can contribute to a greening Earth with positive effects on carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. At the regional scale, such ecological engineering projects may reduce risks of desertification by increasing the vegetation cover and reducing the ecosystem sensitivity to climate perturbations.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaowei Tong & Martin Brandt & Yuemin Yue & Stephanie Horion & Kelin Wang & Wanda De Keersmaecker & Feng Tian & Guy Schurgers & Xiangming Xiao & Yiqi Luo & Chi Chen & Ranga Myneni & Zheng Shi & Hongso, 2018. "Increased vegetation growth and carbon stock in China karst via ecological engineering," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(1), pages 44-50, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:1:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41893-017-0004-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-017-0004-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Huanyang Zhou & Zhaoli Wang & Xushu Wu & Yuhong Chen & Yixuan Zhong & Zejun Li & Jiachao Chen & Jun Li & Shenglian Guo & Xiaohong Chen, 2019. "Spatiotemporal Variation of Annual Runoff and Sediment Load in the Pearl River during 1953–2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Limin Yu & Yangbing Li & Meng Yu & Mei Chen & Linyu Yang, 2023. "Dynamic Changes in Agroecosystem Landscape Patterns and Their Driving Mechanisms in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwest China: The Case of Central Guizhou," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Shiwen Zhang & Yan Wang & Chengrong Li & Yang Wu & Yuhang Yin & Chao Zhang, 2023. "The Response of Rocky Desertification to the Development of Road Networks in Karst Ecologically Fragile Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-20, February.
    4. Tong Lin & Dafang Wu & Muzhuang Yang & Peifang Ma & Yanyan Liu & Feng Liu & Ziying Gan, 2022. "Evolution and Simulation of Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Storage and Sustainability Assessment in Karst Areas: A Case Study of Guizhou Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Yuanyuan Hao & Xin Liu & Yaowen Xie & Limin Hua & Xuexia Liu & Boming Liang & Yixuan Wang & Caicheng Huang & Shengshen He, 2023. "A Landscape Restoration Initiative Reverses Desertification with High Spatiotemporal Variability in the Hinterland of Northwest China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-24, November.
    6. Jiayi Zhou & Kangning Xiong & Qi Wang & Jiuhan Tang & Li Lin, 2022. "A Review of Ecological Assets and Ecological Products Supply: Implications for the Karst Rocky Desertification Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Feng Zhou & Weici Su & Fengtai Zhang, 2019. "Influencing Indicators and Quantitative Assessment of Water Resources Security in Karst Region Based on PSER Model—The Case of Guizhou," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-17, October.
    8. Liu, Min & Xu, Wenli & Zhang, Hangyu & Chen, Huang & Bie, Qiang & Han, Guodong & Yu, Xiaohua, 2022. "Livestock production, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and grassland conservation: Quasi-natural experimental evidence," MPRA Paper 115704, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Lili Xu & Zhenfa Tu & Yuke Zhou & Guangming Yu, 2018. "Profiling Human-Induced Vegetation Change in the Horqin Sandy Land of China Using Time Series Datasets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, April.
    10. Guga, Suri & Ma, Yining & Riao, Dao & Zhi, Feng & Xu, Jie & Zhang, Jiquan, 2023. "Drought monitoring of sugarcane and dynamic variation characteristics under global warming: A case study of Guangxi, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    11. Chu Qin & Wei Zhang, 2022. "Green, poverty reduction and spatial spillover: an analysis from 21 provinces of China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(12), pages 13610-13629, December.
    12. Li Wang & Jie Pei & Jing Geng & Zheng Niu, 2019. "Tracking the Spatial–Temporal Evolution of Carbon Emissions in China from 1999 to 2015: A Land Use Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-27, August.

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