Contents
Foreword: It��s Time
Part I Why China needs Ecological Priority and Green Development
Chapter 1 Why green development 3
1.1 Crisis caused by human population explosion and industrial development 3
1.2 Biodiversity: rapid loss is due to various crisis 6
1.2.1 What is biodiversity? 6
1.2.2 The rapid loss of species on the earth 8
Chapter 2 Why ecological priority is an essential part of green development 12
2.1 Ecosystem services 12
2.1.1 Provisioning services 13
2.1.2 Regulating services 14
2.1.3 Cultural services 15
2.1.4 Supporting services 17
2.2 Nature is a treasure for humanity 19
Chapter 3 Why biodiversity is being lost? 20
3.1 Habitat loss and fragmentation 20
3.1.1 Ecological damage from agriculture development 21
3.1.2 Land reclamation 21
3.1.3 Pollution 22
3.1.4 Dams and water diversions 22
3.2 Over exploitation of resources 22
3.3 The spread of invasive alien species 24
3.4 Global warming 25
3.4.1 Observed and projected changes of global climate change 25
3.4.2 Observed impacts�� vulnerability�� and exposure 27
3.4.3 Impacts of climate change on biodiversity 28
3.4.4 Global climate change and biological invasion 30
3.4.5 Climate change and wildlife diseases 30
Part II Luneng��s Focuses on The Way of Green Development
Chapter 4 Habitat conservation 38
4.1 Ecosystem approach 38
4.2 Establishing protected areas 40
4.3 The need for connectivity 43
4.4 Protecting wetlands 45
4.4.1 Lakes 46
4.4.2 Reservoirs 46
4.4.3 Ponds and ditches 46
4.4.4 Coastal habitats 46
4.4.5 Marine habitats 46
4.4.6 River catchments 47
4.6 Minimizing damage while constructing 48
Chapter 5 Species management 49
5.1 Recognizing key species to ecosystem services 49
5.1.1 Water purifi cation service 50
5.1.2 Pollinating agents 51
5.1.3 Seed dispersers 52
5.2 Captive breeding and reintroduction 53
5.2.1 Reintroductions 53
5.2.2 Re-stocking 54
5.3 Managing wild animals 54
5.3.1 Controlling herbivores 54
5.3.2 Managing top predators 54
5.3.3 Reducing alien or undesirable predatory fish 54
5.3.4 Encouraging birds 55
5.3.5 Encouraging insects 56
5.3.6 Encouraging natural pest control 59
5.3.7 Special needs of migrating species 59
5.3.8 Greatly reducing wildlife consumption 61
Chapter 6 Restoration of degraded landscapes 63
6.1 Restoring degraded ecosystems 65
6.1.1 Principles of restoring vegetation 65
6.1.2 Promoting local species and controlling alien species introduction 66
6.1.3 Returning steep farms to forest 67
6.1.4 Grasslands and fi re management 69
6.1.5 Nursery establishment 70
6.2 Restoring and creating wetlands and ponds 71
6.2.1 Ensuring healthy waterways 72
6.2.2 Creating a pond 73
6.2.3 Managing water levels 74
6.2.4 Fire prevention reporting and fighting 75
Chapter 7 Towards greener farming-the eco-agriculture approach 76
7.1 Decoupling food production from environmental degradation and resource depletion 76
7.2 Diverse modes of eco-agriculture in the World 78
7.2.1 Eco-agriculture of Australia 79
7.2.2 Natural agriculture of Japan 79
7.2.3 Sustainable agriculture of USA 80
7.2.4 Eco-agriculture of Germany 80
7.2.5 Permaculture and biodynamic agriculture 80
7.2.6 Global governmental support to eco-agriculture 81
7.3 China is at the turning point to eco-agriculture 82
7.3.1 Three phases of agriculture development in China 82
7.3.2 China strategy of eco-agriculture 82
7.3.3 Eco-agriculture development modes in China 84
7.3.4 Challenges facing eco-agriculture in China 90
7.3.5 Misunderstanding eco-agriculture 91
7.4 Case study of eco-agriculture development in Shuanghe village�� Dongxi town-ship�� Jianyang�� Sichuan 92
7.4.1 Reasonable intercropping and relaycropping 93
7.4.2 Straw mulching 93
7.4.3 Comprehensive utilization of methane slurry 94
7.4.4 Rational management of weeds 95
7.4.5 Protecting soil scientifi cally 96
7.4.6 Diseases and pests subject to nature 97
7.4.7 Notices for cooperatives seeking development of eco-agriculture 99
Chapter 8 Ecotourism 100
8.1 Ecotourism is in the mainstream to support sustainable development of international 100
8.1.1 Defi nition of ecotourism 100
8.1.2 Connotations of ecotourism 101
8.1.3 Types of ecotourism 102
8.1.4 Ecotourism promoting local culture and community development 104
8.1.5 Ecotourism is a new business format 105
8.2 The concept of ecotourism is well developed internationally 107
8.2.1 Development phases of international ecotourism 107
8.2.2 Best practices of ecotourism 108
8.2.3 Ecotourism as a national strategy in many countries 111
8.2.4 International ecotourism organizations moving toward specialization 112
8.3 Protected area ecotourism in China 112
8.3.1 China ecotourism is actively conducted in protected areas 112
8.3.2 Ecotourism is develo