Sustainable development models of converting cropland to forest in Dabieshan District, Anhui Province

Abstract

The characteristics of the eco-environment, extension scale and sustainable models of converting cropland to forest in the Dabieshan District of Anhui were analyzed. The Dabieshan District is a main ecological area with a function of soil and water conservation where seven large reservoirs and irrigation systems of the Pishihang are distributed. Therefore, the extension scale of converting cropland to forest could be enlarged properly in the reservoir area, while it should be limited in the non-reservoir area due to the issues of higher population density and food safety. Great attention should be paid to the model selection and results during the conversion of cropland to forest. Some suitable models and effective approaches were put forward for the sustainable development in the Dabieshan District, Anhui.

Keywords

steep slope cropland, ecological function, soil and water conservation, converting cropland to forest, Dabieshan District