Search
Loss of Natural Capital due to Expansion of Cropland in China

September 25, 2023 | Nature Ecology & Evolution

 Introduction: Globally, the increasing demand for food has led to widespread loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences utilized data spanning 2000 to 2015 from national ecosystem assessments in China, mapping the loss of four crucial ecosystem services (water retention, soil retention, sandstorm prevention, and carbon sequestration), along with potential wildlife habitat due to cropland expansion. 

Key findings: The study reveals that, China as the global main grain producer, at the national level from 2000 to 2015, land reclamation for cropland has undermined gains in wildlife habitat and the ecosystem services of water retention, sandstorm prevention, carbon sequestration, and soil retention by 113.8%, 63.4%, 52.5%, 29.0%, and 10.2%, respectively.

Conclusion:  This underscores the need to invest in restoration of natural capital to achieve global sustainability goals. Balancing the demands of agriculture with the preservation of ecosystems is essential to ensure a more sustainable future.

 Read more: Natural capital investments in China undermined by reclamation for cropland

 

Fig. | Vital ecosystems converted to cropland across China, 2000–2015.  

Viewed Articles
Loss of Natural Capital due to Expansion of Cropland in China
September 25, 2023 | Nature Ecology & Evolution |  Introduction: Globally, the increasing demand for food has led to widespread loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The research team from the
Read More
Climate-smart agroforestry systems and practices: A systematic review of what works, what doesn’t work, and why
May, 2023 | Forest Policy and Economics | Source | Introduction: Climate-smart agroforestry (CSAF) practices offer integrated solutions to climate change, food security, and environmental degradation,
Opportunities for mitigating net system greenhouse gas emissions in Southeast Asian rice production: A systematic review
February 28, 2024 | Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment | Source | Introduction: Southeast Asia (SEA) produces 28% of global rice. As flooded rice fields account for nearly half of global crop-relat
Deep-sea impacts of climate interventions
March 9, 2023 | Science | Source | Introduction: As climate interventions, such as geoengineering and carbon sequestration, are increasingly considered to combat global warming, their potential effect
Blue carbon as a natural climate solution
November 1, 2021 | Nature Reviews Earth & Environment | Source | Introduction: An international research team from Australia, USA, Singapore, UK and Saudi Arabia, led by Deakin University (Australia)
Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in organic dehesa livestock farms. Does technical-economic management matters?
October 20, 2022 | Journal of Cleaner Production | Source |  Introduction: While organic livestock systems are often hailed as environmentally friendly, their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon
TOP