China's Forests Grow: A Hidden Fragmentation Crisis

China's extensive tree-planting initiatives have boosted national forest coverage over the last three decades. However, a recent study highlights that this growth obscures a critical issue: the fragmentation and decline of natural forests. Between 1990 and 2020, China gained substantial planted forest area but lost significant natural forest.

This period saw natural forests becoming increasingly fragmented, with only 9.6% remaining fully intact by 2020. The expansion of tree plantations, often monocultures, played a significant role, particularly those established adjacent to existing natural forests. This proximity created new boundaries, dividing previously continuous natural landscapes into smaller, isolated patches.

Researchers observed that fragmentation accelerated between 2000 and 2015. This trend, combined with logging and cropland expansion, exacerbated the impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health. The most intact natural forests are now confined to remote mountainous areas, with limited protection.

The study recommends shifting conservation focus from solely planting trees to actively protecting existing natural forests. Expanding conservation programs into vulnerable tropical and subtropical regions is crucial to address the ongoing fragmentation crisis.