Publications

Wei, XX; Liu, RG; Liu, Y; He, JY; Chen, JL; Qi, L; Zhou, YL; Qin, YW; Wu, CY; Dong, JW; Xiao, XM; Chen, JM; Ge, QS (2024). Forest Areas in China Are Recovering Since the 21st Century. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 51(22), e2024GL110312.

Abstract
China is reported as the leading country in the Earth's greening. However, it is a challenge to capture the gradual recovery in forest cover and distinguish the contribution of trees from herbaceous vegetation using remote sensing data. We developed a new fractional tree cover product (GLOBMAP FTC China) from MODIS time series data to investigate change patterns of China's forests during 2000-2022. This annual product showed high consistency with China's National Forest Inventory. We found a significant increase (similar to 4 Mha/year) in the annual forest area in China from similar to 154.47 Mha in 2000 to similar to 236.01 Mha in 2015. This rate then slowed by 50% in 2015-2022 (similar to 2 Mha/year). The forest recovery primarily started in 2000-2004, and reached saturation in 2015. It was primarily contributed by the tree cover gain (92%) from forest conservation and restoration programs. Our findings can support forest management and carbon neutrality achievement for the country.

DOI:
10.1029/2024GL110312

ISSN:
0094-8276