Farm Forestry and Buffer Zone Enhancement in Mountainous Southwest China: a way to Enhance Rural Economies and the Environment

Abstract

In southwest China, agricultural land and forest land are traditionally considered to be separate. Howev- er, in addition to large-scale government-orchestrated plantations schemes, there is tremendous poten- tial for planting trees on farms to improve agro-ecosystem mosaics. This can be done with single trees, with group planting, or through small-scale woodlots with one or more indigenous species. Agroforests can also increase agricultural productivity, and supplement farmer incomes through the sale of fruit, nuts, fuelwood, and timber. Trees on farms can alleviate fuelwood and timber shortfalls. The potential erosion and runoff control benefits provided by a mix of appropriately selected and placed trees can contribute to watershed and biodiversity conservation objectives. These benefits are more significant on farms than in plantations. ICRAF is testing and developing suitable tree-planting and agro-forestry schemes with farmers and for- esters in southwest China on several levels: through assistance in selecting species and improving nursery technology to raise high-quality seeds and saplings; by research on domestication and species phenology; with training in management and marketing; by documenting experiences to inform policy; and through supporting environmental education and rehabilitation programmes. The paper introduces ongoing re - search on the 'framework species' approach, which is to enhance species diversity in buffer zones around the Gaoligongshan Nature Reserve. In addition, high value species are then adapted to community forests, where they improve local livelihoods and generate income in the future. The research builds on ongoing technical research carried out by the Baoshan forestry department and nature reserve. The paper also compares the framework species approach with ongoing tree species research for im - proved plantation and community forestry at the Baoshan forestry department. Line agencies have adapted these 'new' tree species to ecological conditions and market requirements, and the transfer of successful species to individual farms and community forests is in progress. Presently more than 50 different species are under trial at different field sites and within different planting schemes. Improving existing low quality monoculture plantations by interplanting a larger variety of broadleaf and adapted coniferous species, plus improving diverse plantations with more species, should not only benefit quality and henceforth generate higher income, but will also increase overall biodiversity and lower the risks associated with monoculture plantations