Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons^™

How Did The Deer Cross The Road? Reducing Habitat Fragmentation And Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Deaths Through Connective Conservation In The South Mountain Region, Pennsylvania, Jack B. Joiner, Emily R. Kreider, Thomas H. Manning, Madison E. Rowell

Student Publications

While some deleterious effects of road networks and the vehicles that travel them– such as pollution, fossil fuel extraction, and carbon emissions– are widely recognized, their significant role in causing an estimated one million wildlife deaths per day (Shilling et al., 2021) and contributing to habitat loss and degradation, the leading causes of global biodiversity decline (Pinto et al., 2023), has garnered less attention. Connective conservation policies, such as designating wildlife corridors and constructing wildlife crossings on roadways, have been proposed as a means of mitigating these repercussions. This study proposes a connective conservation plan addressing the logistics of a …

Mutual Empowerment And Synergies For Enhanced Outcomes: Pioneering A New Paradigm For Biodiversity Conservation—Significance Of Man And The Biosphere Programme For China And The World, Baotong Dong

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The core of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) lies in promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. This study discusses the significance of MAB for the management of protected areas and biodiversity conservation in China and globally, evaluates the valuable insights that MAB provides for China’s biodiversity conservation efforts, examines the supporting role of China’s conservation practices in implementing MAB methodology, and offers perspectives on future pathways to strengthen global biodiversity conservation.

Building New-Style Protected Area System With Chinese Characteristics And Promoting Innovative Development Of The Man And The Biosphere Programme, Zhen Yan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Through innovative efforts to develop a national park-centered protected area system, China has made notable progress in science-based classification, protected areas consolidation and optimization, development and management, legal safeguards, and monitoring and oversight. These achievements have provided robust support for implementing the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), fostering a Chinese paradigm thereof. This paradigm features coordinated large-scale ecological conservation and improved livelihoods, integrated trans-boundary protection alongside monitoring and oversight, sustained advances in scientific research, and a balance between strict protection and rational utilization. Going forward, China will press ahead with building the world’s largest national park system, to serve …

Fruitful Cooperation Between China And Unesco In New Era, Changwei Qin

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, especially since President XI Jinping’s historic visit to the UNESCO Headquarters and his important speech delivered at the visit, China-UNESCO cooperation has achieved fruitful results. This study outlines China and UNESCO’s joint efforts and cooperation in promoting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, implementing UNESCO’s priority strategies, as well as the outcomes of cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication and information.

Achievement Of Chinese Biosphere Reserves Network And Suggestions For Its Development, Yaping Zhang, Ding Wang, Qiang Fang, Xiangjun Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As the largest national platform for China’s implementation of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the establishment of the Chinese Biosphere Reserves Network (CBRN) marks the Programme’s entry into a phase of integrated development in China. By leveraging regional and thematic networks of MAB, organizing multi-thematic training courses, constructing a multi-level talent cultivation system, hosting annual conference, running publications, promoting public communication with social media, strengthening the introduction and application of high technology, and establishing base for strategic research, CBRN has made significant achievements in international cooperation, capacity building, cultivation of youth talents, awareness raising, experience sharing, information exchange, …

Future Development Strategy And Action Plan For World Network Of Biosphere Reserves, Yu Wei, Xiaoli Shen, Yueyu Zou, Keping Ma

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Global environmental governance is currently encountering serious challenges. The lack of integration between biodiversity conservation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has imposed significant stress on the Earth system. Ecologically significant regions, particularly those with limited resources, are confronted with issues such as weak governance structures and restricted developmental opportunities. As the core platform of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) serves as a global model for reconciling conservation with sustainable development. Nevertheless, it continues to face major obstacles, including insufficient alignment with international frameworks, inadequate financial and human resource allocation, limited coordination …

Contribution Of Biosphere Reserves To Global Biodiversity Conservation And Climate Change, Zhiyun Ouyang, Yunong Yao, Jun Tang, Weihua Xu, Xiaosong Li, Li Zhu, Lei Cao, Mingli Lin, Yueyu Zou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biosphere Reserves are areas recognized by UNESCO that represent key terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems. These areas are strictly protected and designed to fulfill three primary functions: conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable development, and supporting scientific research and education. As of now, 759 biosphere reserves have been established in 136 countries and regions worldwide, supporting the livelihoods of approximately 236 million people. The total area of biosphere reserves covers 7.67 million km2, accounting for 4.10% of global terrestrial area, 5.08% of freshwater surface, and 0.21% of marine areas. The reserves encompass diverse ecosystems, including 2.22 million km2 of forests, 2.24 million …

Practical Experience And Achievements In Sustainable Development Of World Network Of Biosphere Reserves, Weihua Xu, Zuchen Ma, Günter Köck, Wenlu Chen, Zhiyun Ouyang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As the core of the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere Programme” (MAB), the World Network of Biosphere Reserves holds irreplaceable strategic value in harmonizing ecological conservation with regional sustainable development. Based on the four strategic objectives outlined in the Strategy for the Man and the Biosphere Programme (2015–2025), this study systematically analyzes the innovative practices across representative global reserves, revealing critical pathways and implementation outcomes for the sustainable development of biosphere reserves. The research demonstrates that the scientific conservation measures—including the establishment of biodiversity monitoring systems, systematic habitat restoration, and the development of genetic resource conservation networks—have significantly enhanced biodiversity …

Transboundary Conservation Of Biosphere: Case Study From Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve, Lin Wang, Lifan Wang, Xiaoyan Yi, Yun Yang, Ruichang Quan

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Transboundary conservation, as a pivotal strategy in addressing the global biodiversity crisis, plays a critical role in maintaining ecological connectivity and promoting regional ecological security and sustainable development. Under the initiative of the Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve and with bilateral governmental support from China and Laos, a contiguous transboundary protected area spanning approximately 220 km and encompassing 200 000 hectares was established along their shared border in 2012. This study elucidates the importance of transboundary conservation. Using the Xishuangbanna World Biosphere Reserve as a case study, the joint efforts between China and Laos are examined, and the effectiveness in the …

Strengthen S&T Empowered Green Development To Promote Harmonious Coexistence Between Humans And Nature, Jianguo Hou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Building A Community Of All Life On Earth: Man And The Biosphere Programme Bridging China And The World, Hongping He

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) launched by UNESCO has achieved remarkable accomplishments over more than half a century in the aspects of biodiversity conservation, interdisciplinary research, technological innovation, knowledge sharing, international cooperation, etc. China, as an active participant to MAB, is productive in the development of national network, nomination and periodic review of biosphere reserves, international cooperation, and so on, thus contributing to global environmental governance and building of a community of all life on Earth. To enable MAB to more effectively address global common environmental challenges and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is recommended …

Goals Of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework And Solutions By China’S Biosphere Reserve Network, Guangchun Lei

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Biodiversity is the core element of earth life system, and it is also the source of food, drinking water, health, security, and social welfare for people. Biodiversity contains critical genetic resources that help people to response to future uncertainties, in particular, hold solutions to climate change. However, due to population outbreak, technology advancement, and unsustainable production and consumption, the earth ecosystem has been under significant development pressure, which indicated by human ecological footprint of 170% that earth ecosystem can provide, which led to continuous loss of biodiversity. If such trend continues, the sixth massive biodiversity extinction will unavoidable. This study …

Governing Human-Nature Harmony In Protected Area Communities: Global Lessons From Unesco’S Mab Network And Evidence From China’S Biosphere Reserves, Baorong Huang, Xuetian Hu, Ling Tang, Qingyu Lu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Building human-nature harmonious communities is foundational to effective protected-area governance. Drawing on fifty years of global practice under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, this study distills four practice-oriented insights: establishing co-management committees to secure the institutional basis; developing ecological branding to add value to ecological products and raise household incomes; cultivating ecological flagships to enhance international reputation and attract investment; and safeguarding cultural diversity to strengthen residents’ sense of belonging and support for management. Case materials are integrated from 34 biosphere reserves in China and an observational indicator framework is constructed and a survey-based assessment is conducted for …

Man And The Biosphere: Life Community Of Ethno-Biography, Zhaorong Peng

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Against the backdrop of escalating ecological crises and biodiversity loss, UNESCO’s “Man and the Biosphere Programme” highlights the interdisciplinary value of global ecological governance. As an epistemological projection of the concept of a “community of life” ethno-biography—a synthesis of anthropology and natural history—emphasizes interspecies reciprocity and systemic interconnection, articulating the underlying logic of life as a shared biosphere. This perspective advocates a shift from anthropocentrism toward an ecological ethic of restraint, underscoring the equal survival rights of all species. Through multilateral cooperation and localized implementation, the Man and the Biosphere framework offers a practical platform for the ethno-biographic approach, with …

Scientific Research Supports Biosphere’S Conservation —Case Study Of Dinghushan World Biosphere Reserve, Hanping Xia, Juxiu Liu, Xiankai Lu, Hai Ren

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Based on a brief review of the Dinghushan National Nature Reserve/Dinghushan World Biosphere Reserve, this study comprehensively reviews its scientific research progress in the past 70 years, including three stages: early ecological investigation and biodiversity monitoring; mid-term research on ecosystem structure, function, and dynamics; and recent comprehensive studies. The study also analyzes the role of scientific research in supporting biodiversity conservation, local community sustainable development, and mitigation and adaptation to global climate change in the reserve. Finally, five inspirations and suggestions are proposed to support biosphere conservation through scientific research: (1) research-based conservation has strong vitality; (2) enhancing the level …

Empowering Ecological Monitoring With Science And Technology, Driving Conservation And Development Through Innovation—A Case Study Of Wolong World Biosphere Reserve, Tingmei He, Shufeng Wang, Fan Wu, Yongfeng Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Ecological monitoring can provide basic data and decision-making support for ecological environment management and policy formulation. The technologies and methods adopted in ecological monitoring by the Wolong National Nature Reserve, located in Sichuan, China, hold extensive representativeness and influence on a global scale. Based on a review of the main monitoring practices of the Wolong World Biosphere Reserve, this paper presents the adoption of different technical paths and collaborative applications in the “sky-Earth-space integrated” monitoring, as well as the practices in promoting the “Five Ones” goals (i.e., one set of data, one platform, one set of algorithms, one cloud, and …

Integrating Protection And Development Issues Through Expansion: A Case Study Of Tianmushan-Qingliangfeng World Biosphere Reserve, Wei Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In September 2025, the Fifth UNESCO World Congress of Biosphere Reserves will be held in Hangzhou, China. The delegates will engage in detailed discussions on key issues, including the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature, as well as balanced conservation and development. This congress will also develop a strategic and action plan for the next phase of the world biosphere reserves. The Tianmushan-Qingliangfeng World Biosphere Reserve represents China’s first successful application for world biosphere reserve achieved through an expansion process. Here, this study first elucidates the value and significance of expanding world biosphere reserves. Subsequently, drawing on the practical experience …

Developing Integrated Protected Area Communities: Insights From Gaoligongshan Unesco Biosphere Reserve, China, Jianwei Chen, Ling Tang, Ying’An Zhang, Shihai Yu, Hui Yang, Yuanmengran Chu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The integrated protected area community (IPAC) model is a Chinese innovation in protected area governance, emerging from the convergence of national policy support, local government implementation, and community participation. Rather than relying solely on administrative jurisdiction or geographic proximity, IPAC uses protected areas as institutional hubs to align ecological conservation with community development and regional collaboration. Based on the case of the Gaoligongshan UNESCO biosphere reserve, this study examines how policy coordination, stakeholder integration, and ecological value realization are operationalized under the IPAC approach, highlighting an integrated mechanism that combines state-led planning, multi-entity co-governance, and ecological product valorization. The Gaoligongshan …

Aesthetics Of Life’S Continuity: Local Experiences And Chinese Wisdom In Sustainable Development Of Maolan Biosphere Reserve, Ying Zhang, Jingcheng Ran, Dengli Yu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) emphasizes that biosphere reserves should serve as “learning sites for sustainable development”. Ecological conservation should not be separated from human life, but instead be integrated with community development, cultural continuity, and educational advancement. Guided by this principle, the Maolan Biosphere Reserve in Guizhou has grounded its efforts in the traditional ecological culture of its multi-ethnic local communities. It transforms ecological ethics and aesthetic experiences into shared ecological values and innovative governance mechanisms, thereby forging a path of ecological civilization that integrates nature conservation, cultural identity, and livelihood improvement.

Hu Baonan: Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve—Scientific Conservation Of Endangered Species, Editorial Office Of Bulletin Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Dabuxilatu, Hong Meijing: Ecological And Cultural Symphony In Saihanwula World Biosphere Reserve, Inner Mongolia, Editorial Office Of Bulletin Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Shu Zufei: Exploration Of “Harmony Between Humans And Nature” In Chebaling World Biosphere Reserve, Editorial Office Of Bulletin Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Ma Yu: Niubeiliang World Biosphere Reserve: Nature Education For Future, Editorial Office Of Bulletin Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Yang Kun, Xing Huaibo: Ten Years’ Journey Of Hanma World Biosphere Reserve, Editorial Office Of Bulletin Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

Ord River Irrigation Area Strategy 2024-34, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources published reports

The ORIA Strategy 2024–34 sets a collective 10-year vision, identifying key areas for focus as well as defining key roles and responsibilities to drive the achievement of this vision.

It provides direction for government to continue to work alongside and support industry and the community to achieve positive development outcomes. As such, it has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders across local industry, Traditional Owners and community groups.

Large-Scale Experimental Platform For Dynamic Simulation Of Mountain Hazards (Leads), Gongdan Zhou, Peng Cui, Hongwei Wu, Yong You, Wei Zhong, Dongri Song, Chuiyi Zhou, Hongwei Shen, Mingsheng Shang, Xuerui Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Mountain hazards involve complex multiphase media composed of granular materials and fluids. The challenges related to scale effects and similarity issues in physical modelling of these hazards are key problems in both fundamental research on dynamics of granular materials and applied research in disaster prevention and mitigation. Supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ key scientific infrastructure construction project at the field station network, the National Dongchuan Debris Flow Observation and Research Station in Jiangjia Gully, Dongchuan District, Kunming City completed the construction of the large-scale experimental platform on dynamic simulation of mountain hazards (LEADS) in 2024. This platform is …

Scientifically Improving Integrated Water Governance For Resilient Flow Of The Yellow River, Shuai Wang, Shuang Song, Yanxu Liu, Xutong Wu, Enhui Jiang, Bojie Fu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The severe soil erosion and river channel disconnection along the Yellow River have been curbed. Still, the fundamental situation of prominent contradictions in the relationship between humans and water has not changed. Scientifically enhancing comprehensive management capabilities has become an important demand for high-quality development in the Yellow River basin during this new era. This study summarizes the fundamental ecological and hydrological changes in the Yellow River basin, and identifies three main characteristics, namely, sediment transport has significantly decreased, water resource shortages have intensified, and the relationship between humans and water has changed significantly. The four key challenges for sustainable …

Analysis Of International Carbon Budget Management Systems And Their Applicability To China, Wenjun Wang, Huiquan Huang, Xujie Zhao, Pengcheng Xie, Chonghui Fu, Qiaqia Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

China is establishing a carbon budget management system at both provincial and municipal levels. The carbon budget system, as a policy tool for integrating total carbon emission management and economic planning, has already been effective in developed countries. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the concept, core elements, and practical experiences of the carbon budget system, and compares international practices with China’s low-carbon management system in the context of national circumstances. It extracts elements from international experiences that provide empirical insights, exhibit reference value, and require localization and innovation. Based on the analysis, this study proposes the following policy …

Transforming Grassland Conservation: Challenges And Opportunities Across Law, Policy, And Human Dimensions, Conor D. Barnes

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Great Plains social-ecological systems are facing growing pressure from complex, ‘wicked’ problems. Addressing these problems will require integrating ecological resilience and complex systems thinking concepts into our legal framework in order to better reflect the changing ecological reality of the Great Plains and promote flexibility and adaptability in the face of that change. In this dissertation, I examine how past and present policy priorities have affected social-ecological systems on the Great Plains, and how ecological resilience and complex systems thinking might be applied to grassland management policy. In Chapter 2, I examine the rapid progress made in the adoption of …

Applying Circuit Theory To Describe Changes In Structural Landscape Connectivity In Response To Wildfire, Christian Ross Nielsen

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Understanding and conserving ecological connectivity is critical to the preservation of vulnerable landscapes. Circuit theory, in which landscapes are imagined as circuit boards with varying resistances to the flow of current, is being increasingly used to model spatially explicit connectivity of landscapes and to inform land management and conservation decision-making. Utilizing continuous, quantitative estimates of percent cover by five land cover functional groups to create a conductance surface, this study expanded upon an established application of circuit theory that used the open-source software Circuitscape to model species-agnostic, omnidirectional connectivity. This model was automated using Python to create time-series connectivity maps …