Characteristics and distributions of degraded ecological types in China

Abstract

As a major environmental problem in the world, ecosystem degradation not only exhausts the natural resources and decreases biodiversity, but also seriously hinders the sustainable development of social economy and threatens the survival and development of human beings. Therefore, the ecosystem degradation has brought every government′s and ecologist′s attention. The main types of ecosystem degradation in China, including degradated forest ecosystems, desertification and soil erosion, are analyzed. The current situations, characteristics and distributions of the each type are expounded. The aim of this research is to provide basic data for the natural resource uses and degradated ecosystems restoration and rehabilitation.