China's desire for rapid economic development has put its natural resources under incredible stress, including almost all its ancient forests. And no trees leads to desertification, which increases the risk of enormous sandstorms. This further exacerbates one of China's growing challenges over the past few decades: chronic air pollution in Chinese cities. Like many forests across China, the Keyihe forest was logged based on a valid and verifiable government-approved timber management plan. But even carefully planned logging can cause disturb the delicate forest ecosystem, so the forest owners looked for a viable alternative.
Now, 20,526 hectares of the state-owned Keyihe forest in the north of China is protected from logging thanks to the revenue from the project. The lush forest of native Birch Betula platyphylla and Larch Larix gmelinii is allowed to regenerate naturally with local farmers employed to tend the trees, providing them with a stable income. Walking through the forest in the autumn local people can enjoy the peaceful stillness and stunning orange foliage.
on average per year
of logged forest is now protected
This project falls under China's national efforts to protect forests, which are recognised as a valuable natural resource. Thanks to the project, more carbon is sequestered by increasing the amount of biomass in the area. This brings a multitude of benefits, not least by storing the harmful GHG emissions that are driving global warming. Forests also help regulate the local climate, protect the soil from erosion and degradation and provide a home to many animals by increasing forest cover and connecting isolated habitats.
