Win-win-win pathway for ecological restoration by balancing hydrological, ecological, and agricultural dimensions:...

Ecological restoration projects (ERP) can effectively reverse ecosystem degradation. However, some ERPs have failed to restore ecosystems under environmental constraints, and they were unable to achieve the desired ecological and economic benefits. To achieve a win-win-win target that balances the hydrological, ecological, and agricultural dimensions, we introduced the contrasting lessons from hotspots of ecosystem restoration in the arid Loess Plateau (LP) and the humid Karst Plateau (KP) in China, and discussed a novel strategy for coordinating ecosystem restoration, water and food security, and residents' livelihoods. The biophysical models and related statistical records showed that aggressive ERPs and soil and water conservation projects (SWCPs) significantly promoted vegetation restoration and reduced soil erosion and sediment yield in both areas. However, excessive afforestation in the arid LP exhausted water resources and threatened ecosystem sustainability. The accelerated replacement of cropland since 1999 in the LP aggravated cropland shortage which led to carbon sequestration and grain productivity declines in the initial years. However, the construction of terrace and check-dam fields and improvements in the conditions of agricultural production reconciled the cropland shortage and stabilized food security. The positive involvement of stakeholders in ERPs effectively minimized land degradation through economic development and the improved livelihoods of local residents. Therefore, based on the evidence from the KP and LP, the proposed win-win-win strategy is potentially applicable in other global regions that suffer from land degradation. This strategy can achieve considerable success if the planners have a good understanding of local environmental conditions as well as the social and economic needs of residents affected by ERPs.