The Grain for Green Project (GGP) encompasses most desertification areas in northern China where fragile soils are susceptible to erosion given the arid and semi-arid climate, low vegetation cover, and strong winds. We collected relevant data through ecological surveys and literature review to quantify total sand fixation and dust retention in 2015 based on different restoration methods, forest types, ecological function zones, and key desertification areas. Our results showed that cropland and wasteland afforestation increased sand fixation and dust retention, whereas facilitate afforestation was less effective in doing so. Further, sand fixation and dust retention values were higher in ecological and shrub forests compared with economic forests, as well as in wind erosion zones compared with wind-water erosion and water erosion zones. Moreover, 43.28% and 44.75% of total sand fixation and dust retention, respectively, were concentrated in important windbreak and sand fixation areas. Similarly, 60% and 30% of total sand fixation and dust retention, respectively, occurred in sandstorm paths and sources. Lastly, policy factors primarily influenced the spatial distribution patterns of both sand fixation and dust retention. Based on these results, enhancement of GGP efficacy into the future will rely on increased restoration efforts specifically aimed at planting more drought-resistant shrubs and native vegetation as doing so will enhance sand fixation, dust retention, and thus, the ecological integrity of these valuable and fragile desert ecosystems in northern China.

The technical framework of China’s Forest Ecosystem Inventory System (CFEIS) was recently developed based on ecological indicators assessed continuously in the field at forest ecosystem research stations and China’s Forest Resource Inventory (CNFRI) conducted every 5 years. The CFEIS consists of Field Observations (FOs)of ecological indicators and Distributed Valuations (DVs)of forest ecosystem services. The CFEIS can be used with the CNFRI to observe and monitor the ecological status of forests in China. This paper provides a brief review of the CFEIS by introducing its establishment and summarizing its application coupled with the CNFRI. For the FOs, the principles of the monitoring system layout are provided. The Chinese Forest Ecosystem Research Network (CFERN) was set up, which was the largest nationwide network of forest ecological stations in the world. The facilities and equipment were systematically assembled. The national forestry standards were drawn up for describing and measuring the ecological indicators of forest ecosystems, and these standards were used to specify data collection and transmission. For DVs, a distributed measurement method was created, and an indicator system of evaluation was studied and established, with the CNFRI integrated; a series of evaluation formulas and a package of models were also integrated with the DVs. The CFEIS integrated with the CNFRI estimates forest ecosystem services in China and the ecological benefits derived from the Grain for Green program, and a green national economic accounting system will provide an important case for monitoring and inventorying forest ecosystems at a national scale. The CFEIS can provide important experiences for forest ecosystem inventory systems in China and many other parts of the world.

The transpacific transport of mineral dust often occurs in spring, and a large amount of aeolian dust is deposited in the Asian continent and north Pacific. Moreover, a heterogeneous reaction occurs when dust particles are mixed with man-made pollution gases and particles. In the present study, atmospheric PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were investigated, and a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray energy spectrometer were used to analyze the effects of dust resistance and capture by forests. It showed that (1) the PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ concentrations during a dust storm, on sunny days, and during light pollution periods, were higher in the non-forest covered area (NFC area) than in the forest covered area (FC area), except during heavy pollution events; which suggests that the forests have a strong effect on dust resistance; (2) the PM reduction efficiency of forests was highest on sunny days, followed by light pollution periods, heavy pollution periods, and during the dust storm; (3) after the dust storm, TSP captured by leaves significantly increased, especially for the broadleaved tree species; and the particulates number in the grooves on leaves’ surface increased particularly sharply. This study will help improve the dust resistance and retention efficiency of forest shelterbelt projects during dust storms.

The haze satellite map produced by NASA in 2013 showed a "Gray Great Wall" in the sky from Beijing to Hong Kong, indicating serious air pollution in China. The air pollutants and greenhouse gases can be reduced through engineering measures known as industrial gas emission and haze reduction (GGE&H reduction), as well as through green GGE&H reduction by ecosystems such as forests and wetlands that play significant roles in carbon sequestration and atmospheric environmental purification of air, soil, and water. Compared with the industrial GGE&H reduction, the green GGE&H reduction is lower in investment and operational cost, but offers more ecological benefits and therefore is more economically feasible. In this review the roles of green GGE&H reduction are summarized and its future potential is highlighted. The possible approaches to enhance the capability of green GGE&H reduction in China are discussed.