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J. Gao
1 A Protected Area System to Effectively Protect
Important Natural Resources and Natural Landscapes
According to statistics, China has more than ten categories of protected areas,
including nature reserves, scenic areas, forest parks, world cultural and natural
heritage sites, geological parks, wetland parks, public drinking water source areas
(PDWSAs), water conservancy scenic areas, enclosed areas where desertification is
in progress, special marine reserves (including marine parks), germplasm resource
reserves, and national parks (pilot). As of 2018, there were more than 10,000
protected areas, including 3766 at the national level. The total area of the various
protected areas on land accounted for about 18% of China’s total land area, higher
than the world average. Specifically, nature reserves accounted for about 14.8% of the
country’s land area and more than 80% of the total area of all protected areas. Scenic
areas and forest parks accounted for about 3.8% of the total area of protected areas.
The proportions of other types of protected areas were relatively small. At the beginning, protected areas were mainly established according to industries and ecological
elements, and were guided by Chinese Academy of Sciences and authorities in charge
of the management of ecological environment, forests, grassland, agriculture rural
areas, natural resources, housing and construction, water conservancy, and oceans.
After the institutional reform of 2018, all types of protected areas were put under the
unified administration of the Ministry of Natural Resources, but local governments
were still responsible for the management of the human resources, property, and
assets of protected areas within their respective jurisdictions.
Over the years, protected areas have played an important role in protecting biodiversity, natural landscapes and natural heritage, maintaining national and regional
ecological security, and ensuring the sustainable development of China’s economy
and society.
1. Nature reserves
A nature reserve is a protected area of land or water body of importance for rare
and endangered flora and fauna, or features of special interest, which is reserved
and managed for purposes of conservation. With the rise of the global biodiversity
conservation movement and the improvement of environmental awareness, countries
around the world attach great importance to nature reserves, taking them as a symbol
of an advanced civilization.
In 1956, China established its first nature reserve, Dinghushan National Nature
Reserve, in Guangdong. Over the past 60 years, the CPC Central Committee, the
State Council, local governments at all levels and relevant departments all attached
great importance to the protection of the natural environment and sustainable use
of natural resources, and built a large number of nature reserves for this purpose.
China’s nature reserves have grown in quantity, size, and variety. A complete nature
reserve system with a basically reasonable layout is now in place with its functions
strengthening with time.
J. Gao
1 A Protected Area System to Effectively Protect
Important Natural Resources and Natural Landscapes
According to statistics, China has more than ten categories of protected areas,
including nature reserves, scenic areas, forest parks, world cultural and natural
heritage sites, geological parks, wetland parks, public drinking water source areas
(PDWSAs), water conservancy scenic areas, enclosed areas where desertification is
in progress, special marine reserves (including marine parks), germplasm resource
reserves, and national parks (pilot). As of 2018, there were more than 10,000
protected areas, including 3766 at the national level. The total area of the various
protected areas on land accounted for about 18% of China’s total land area, higher
than the world average. Specifically, nature reserves accounted for about 14.8% of the
country’s land area and more than 80% of the total area of all protected areas. Scenic
areas and forest parks accounted for about 3.8% of the total area of protected areas.
The proportions of other types of protected areas were relatively small. At the beginning, protected areas were mainly established according to industries and ecological
elements, and were guided by Chinese Academy of Sciences and authorities in charge
of the management of ecological environment, forests, grassland, agriculture rural
areas, natural resources, housing and construction, water conservancy, and oceans.
After the institutional reform of 2018, all types of protected areas were put under the
unified administration of the Ministry of Natural Resources, but local governments
were still responsible for the management of the human resources, property, and
assets of protected areas within their respective jurisdictions.
Over the years, protected areas have played an important role in protecting biodiversity, natural landscapes and natural heritage, maintaining national and regional
ecological security, and ensuring the sustainable development of China’s economy
and society.
1. Nature reserves
A nature reserve is a protected area of land or water body of importance for rare
and endangered flora and fauna, or features of special interest, which is reserved
and managed for purposes of conservation. With the rise of the global biodiversity
conservation movement and the improvement of environmental awareness, countries
around the world attach great importance to nature reserves, taking them as a symbol
of an advanced civilization.
In 1956, China established its first nature reserve, Dinghushan National Nature
Reserve, in Guangdong. Over the past 60 years, the CPC Central Committee, the
State Council, local governments at all levels and relevant departments all attached
great importance to the protection of the natural environment and sustainable use
of natural resources, and built a large number of nature reserves for this purpose.
China’s nature reserves have grown in quantity, size, and variety. A complete nature
reserve system with a basically reasonable layout is now in place with its functions
strengthening with time.