Orchards on Eroded Uplands of Southeast China: Sustainability or Abandonment?

Chengchao Wang


Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China (China)

Yusheng Yang


Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China (Poland)

Wen Pang


Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China (Poland)

Jing Hong


Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China (Poland)


Abstract

Orchard development on eroded uplands is considered as a successful method in integrating soil erosion treatment with economic development in many developing countries. However, much attention focused on its present achievements without thinking over the economic viability over long plantation duration. Orchards that have not been intensified seem to be threatened by complete abandonment. To illustrate the economic viability and sustainability of orchard management, we have deliberately focused on a case study in Southeast China. The results of economic viability based on a cost-benefit analysis showed that orchard management was barely economically sustainable. Their viability is assured if reduced labor costs and increased fruit price are accepted. Based on these results, recommendations are made to prevent the abandonment of orchards on degraded uplands and to preserve its environmental benefits.


Keywords:

soil erosion, rural livelihoods, sustainability, cost-benefit analysis, China

BIELINSKA E. J., et al, PAWLOWSKA M., CEL W., ZHANG T., 2015, Integrating role of sustainable development paradigm in shaping the human-landscape relation, in: Problemy Ekorozwoju/ Problems Of Sustainable Development, vol. 10, no 2, p. 159-168.
  Google Scholar

CAO S., LI C., ZHU Q., 2010, Remembering the ultimate goal of environmental protection: including protection of impoverished citizens in China’s environmental policy, in: AMBIO, vol. 39, no 5-6, p. 439-442.
  Google Scholar

CAO S., ZHONG B., YUE H., ZENG J., 2009, Development and testing of a sustainable environmental restoration policy on eradicating the poverty trap in China’s Changting County, in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 106, no 26, p. 10712-10716.
  Google Scholar

CHANGTING COUNTY GOVERNMENT, 2004, Reaching out to combat soil erosion and construct a beautiful landscape of Changing County, in: Fujian Soil Water Conservation, vol. 16, p. 1-7 (in Chinese).
  Google Scholar

DAS R., BAUER S., 2012, Bio-economic analysis of soil conservation technologies in the mid-hill region of Nepal, in: Soil & Tillage Research, vol. 121, p. 38-48.
  Google Scholar

DUARTE F., JONES N., FLESKENS L., 2008, Traditional olive orchards on sloping land: sustainability or abandonment?, in: Journal of environmental management, vol. 89, p. 86-98.
  Google Scholar

KHAKBAZAN M., HAMILTON C., 2012, Economic evaluation of tillage management practices at the watershed scale in southern Manitoba, in: Soil & Tillage Research, vol. 118, p. 40-51.
  Google Scholar

LI J., FELDMAN M. W., LI S., DAILY G.C., 2011, Rural household income and inequality under the Sloping Land Conversion Program in western China, in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 108, no 19, p. 7721-7726.
  Google Scholar

LOUMOU A., GIOURGA C., 2003, Olive Groves: the life and identity of the Mediterranean, in: Agriculture and Human Values, vol. 20, p. 87-95.
  Google Scholar

PERSHA L., AGRAWAL A., CHHATRE A., 2011, Social and ecological synergy: local rule-making, forest livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation, in: Science, vol. 331, no 6024, p. 1606-1608.
  Google Scholar

SANDKER M.B.M., et al., AMOUGOU V., DEFO L., SAYER J., 2009, Exploring the effectiveness of integrated conservation and development interventions in a Central African forest landscape, in: Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 18, no 11, p. 2875-2892.
  Google Scholar

SOLTANI A., et al., EID T., NAIENI M.S.N., SHAMEKHI T., 2012, Poverty, sustainability, and household livelihood strategies in Zagros, Iran, in: Ecological Economics, vol. 79, p. 60-70.
  Google Scholar

SUNDERLAND T., EHRINGHAUS C., CAMPBELL B.M., 2008, Conservation and development in tropical forest landscapes: a time to face the trade-offs?, in: Environmental Conservation, vol. 34, p. 276-279.
  Google Scholar

VIANA V., 2003, Causes and consequences of abandonment of mountainous olive groves and the options for natural resource conservation. Olivero Student Report Series, no. 1.
  Google Scholar

WANG C., YANG Y., ZHANG Y., 2011, Economic development, rural livelihoods, and ecological restoration: evidence from China, in: AMBIO, vol. 40, no 1, p. 78-87.
  Google Scholar

WANG C., YANG Y., ZHANG Y., 2012, Rural household livelihood change, fuelwood substitution, and hilly ecosystem restoration: Evidence from China, in: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 16, no 5, p. 2475-2482.
  Google Scholar

WANG C., YANG Y., ZHANG Y., 2015a, Cost-effective targeting soil and water conservation: A case study of Changting County in southeast China, in: Land Degradation & Development.
  Google Scholar

WANG C., ZHANG Y., XU Y., YANG Q., 2015b, Is the Ecological and Economic Approach for the Restoration of Collapsed Gullies in Southern China Really Economic?, in: Sustainability, vol. 7, no 8, p. 10303-10323.
  Google Scholar

UNESCOSCOPE, 2006, Indicators of Sustainability: Reliable Tools for Decision Making, UNESCO-SCOPE Policy Briefs, http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001500/150005e.pdf (29.11.2015).
  Google Scholar

WCED (World Commission on Environment and Development), 1987, Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, New York.
  Google Scholar

WOOD A., O’NEILL. O., 1998, Kant on Duties Regarding Non-rational Nature, Proceedings in: The Aristotelian Society, vol. 72, p. 189-228.
  Google Scholar

Download


Published
2016-07-01

Cited by

Wang, C., Yang, Y., Pang, W., & Hong, J. (2016). Orchards on Eroded Uplands of Southeast China: Sustainability or Abandonment?. Problemy Ekorozwoju, 11(2), 37–43. Retrieved from https://ph.pollub.pl/index.php/preko/article/view/4941

Authors

Chengchao Wang 

Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China China

Authors

Yusheng Yang 

Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China Poland

Authors

Wen Pang 

Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China Poland

Authors

Jing Hong 

Key Laboratory of Humid Subtropical Eco-geographical Process (Fujian Normal University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China; College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, P. R. China Poland

Statistics

Abstract views: 17
PDF downloads: 4