Forestation provides a cost-effective, nature-based solution to combating environmental degradation. China is acknowledged as the global leader in forestation. Its mega-forestation programs have been successful, but are not without their negative effects from planting maladapted tree species. Our ensemble-learning machine has predicted where potential forestation lands should be located. This is mostly in eastern China, east of the Hu Line. Converting shrub and grassland to forests will increase potential forestation lands by 33 million hectares through the 2070s. Our prediction map further shows that the optimal vegetation restoration strategy west of the Hu Line is grassland rehabilitation.
Key Takeaways:
- China is the global leader in forestation, but still has issues with planting maladapted tree species.
- Our ensemble-learning machine shows potential forestation lands are primarily located east of the Hu Line.
- Conversions from shrub and grassland will increase forestation lands by 33 million hectares through the 2070s.
“Under future climate change, forests will shift substantially in the latitudinal, longitudinal, and elevational distribution.”
Read more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.16065?af=R
Leave a Reply