Unlocking the poverty-environment dilemma in China’s Loess Plateau: a small watershed case study

摘要

The Loess Plateau of northwestern China has long been facing environmental and socio-economic problems such as extensive soil erosion and chronic poverty.These issues are always interlinked and usually reinforce each other,and all pose a significant threat to regional sustainability.Moreover,it is a menace to the property and life safety of downstream reaches of the Yellow River.The situation in the gullied hilly regions(GHRs),a majority of the Loess Plateau,is even worse because of its more fragile ecosystem and heavy rural population pressure.Past single-disciplinary approach of research often resulted in feasible technologies but poor adaptability for regional development,therefore,a multidimensional strategy is required in finding sound solutions to these complex and interrelated challenges.A small catchment basin,Gaoquan Watershed(9.2 km2)in hinterland of Loess Plateau's gullied hilly regions,was chosen as a research site in 1986 and multi-disciplinary research and demonstrations have been carried out with emphasis on utilizing natural resources in an integrated manner.Rain-water harvesting methods were developed to mitigate adverse effect of water shortage; slope terracing and afforestation were combined to minimize soil erosion; improved dryland farming technologies and animal husbandry were integrated to increase agricultural productivity; and biogas-centered eco-farmyard systems were introduced to build an environment-friendly rural community.Long-term(1985-2010)monitoring and observation have shown significant results in the study area.Soil erosion reduced and local farmers' income increased remarkably.Successful practices of integrated natural resource management have led this marginal semi-arid catchment basin towards sustainable development,exhibiting the possibilities of achieving sustainability in Loess Plateau's vulnerable ecosystem.