Transforming Protected Area Management in China

Weihua Xu; Stuart L Pimm; Ao Du; Yang Su; Xinyue Fan; Li An; Jianguo Liu; Zhiyun Ouyang

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2019.05.009

Transforming Protected Area Management in China

Trends Ecol Evol. 2019 Sep;34(9):762-766. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.05.009. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Authors

Weihua Xu¹, Stuart L Pimm², Ao Du³, Yang Su⁴, Xinyue Fan¹, Li An⁵, Jianguo Liu⁶, Zhiyun Ouyang⁷

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
² Nicholas School of the Environment, Box 90328, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Electronic address: stuartpimm@me.com.
³ State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Center of Architecture Research and Design, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100086, China.
⁴ Development Research Center of the State Council, Beijing 100010, China.
⁵ Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
⁶ Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823-5243, USA.
⁷ State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China. Electronic address: zyouyang@rcees.ac.cn.

PMID: 31301875
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.05.009

Abstract

We discuss institutional reforms to China's protected area management. Currently (as elsewhere), protected areas suffer fragmented management, lack of a comprehensive classification, inadequate coverage of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and divided, inconsistent legislation. We recommend establishing a new system of protected area management that can address past difficulties by using ongoing institutional reforms as unprecedented opportunities.

Keywords: global biodiversity targets; institutional reforms; protected areas management.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Biodiversity
China
Conservation of Natural Resources*
Ecosystem*