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Developing China's Ecological Redline Policy using ecosystem services assessments for land use planning
Yang Bai1, Christina P Wong2, Bo Jiang3
1Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, 666303, China.
Nature Communications
|August 4, 2018
Summary
China
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Spatial Planning
Background:
- Ecosystem services (ES) assessment is crucial for sustainability, yet science-policy integration in land use planning remains a challenge.
- China's Ecological Redline Policy (ERP) is a pioneering national initiative incorporating multiple ES, but lacks a standardized science-policy interface.
- Effective implementation requires frameworks to bridge scientific findings with policy decisions in land use management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and apply a transdisciplinary framework for identifying ecological redline areas (ERAs) in Shanghai.
- To integrate ecosystem services, biodiversity, ecologically fragile hotspots, landscape structure, and stakeholder input for ERA determination.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ecological Redline Policy (ERP) in enhancing ecosystem services and habitat protection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multi-temporal, high-resolution imagery (0.5m) and biophysical models to establish five criteria for ERA identification in Shanghai.
- Developed a transdisciplinary framework incorporating ecosystem services, biodiversity, landscape structure, and stakeholder consultations.
- Compared land use scenarios for 2040 to assess the effectiveness of the ERP.
Main Results:
- The proposed framework successfully identified ERAs in Shanghai by integrating multiple ecological and social factors.
- Ecosystem services significantly increased under the ERP compared to alternative land use scenarios.
- Stakeholder engagement in spatial planning led to a 174% increase in terrestrial habitat protection.
Conclusions:
- Strategic planning for ecosystem services within spatial planning frameworks can effectively reduce conflicts between environmental quality and development.
- The transdisciplinary approach provides a standardized method for applying ES science in land use policy, particularly within initiatives like China's ERP.
- The findings demonstrate the potential of integrating ES assessment into policy for achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing biodiversity conservation.