Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides for people. The development of the ecosystem services concept over the past decade has resulted in a new framework that combines ecological, social and economic considerations for better informed and harmonious decision-making. The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development established the Task Force on “Ecosystem Services and Ecosystem Management Strategy” focused on forests, grasslands and wetlands to: show the economic and social benefits of sustainable ecosystems management based on an ecosystem services approach; identify best practices from Chinese and international experience; and present recommendations and policy options for integrating ecosystem services into development decision-making.

China is enjoying a period of massive economic growth in its quest to establish a moderately prosperous ecological civilization. There have been tremendous gains, such as the reduction in poverty in China. This economic growth is fuelled by unsustainable exploitation of water, air, food, fibres and other commodities, and consequently this environmental degradation may soon limit growth in increasing areas of the nation. To avoid negative socio-economic impacts, better ecosystem management is required to sustain the ecosystem services that underpin quality of life and the economy in China. To help achieve the objectives of the Scientific Outlook on Development the Task Force recommends that the Chinese Government:

1. Adopt a new National Plan on Ecological Conservation and Development to guide and integrate sectoral and regional measures.

2. Improve generation of ecosystem services from forests, grasslands and wetland. through sustainable management in priority regions.

3. Establish effective coordination institutions for sustainable ecosystem management at central, provincial and county levels, and to increase public participation.

4. Promote the establishment of eco-compensation mechanisms and long-term investment in ecosystem conservation and management

5. Strengthen ecosystem monitoring, long-term research and training for better knowledge-based support of ecosystem management


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