Land use change in Asia and the ecological consequences

Abstract

Viewed within a historical context, Asia has experienced dramatic land transformations, and currently more than 50% of Asian land area is under agriculture. The consequences of this transformation are manifold. Southeast Asia has the highest deforestation rate of any major tropical region. Many of the world's large rivers and lakes in Asia have been heavily degraded. About 11 of 19 world megacities with more than 10 million inhabitants are in Asia. These land use activities have resulted in substantial negative ecological consequences, including increased anthropogenic CO 2 emissions, deteriorated air and water quality, alteration of regional climate, an increase of disease and a loss of biodiversity. Although land use occurs at the local level, it has the potential to cause ecological impact across local, regional and global scales. Reducing the negative environmental impacts of land use change while maintaining economic viability and social acceptability is an major challenge for most developing countries in Asia.

Effects of land use/land cover and climate changes on terrestrial net primary productivity in the Yangtze River Basin, China, from 2001 to 2010

“…Therefore, the first decade in the 21st century for the YRB provides a unique window to evaluate the effects of fast LULCC and rapid climate change on terrestrial ecosystem productivity in a large human-dominated landscape. While some ecological consequences of LULCC and climate change have been discussed across this region [Zhao et al, 2006b;Liu et al, 2010;Piao et al, 2010;Zhang et al, 2013], a comprehensive analysis of terrestrial ecosystem productivity with respect to these two factors has not been performed yet.…”

Bayesian spatial modelling and the significance of agricultural land use to scrub typhus infection in Taiwan

“…However, detailed investigations for many vector-borne diseases remain unavailable (Patz et al, 2004). Studies are particularly urgently needed in Asia where rapid economic growth has dramatically transformed the land cover (Zhao et al, 2006).…”

Natural Forest Change in Hainan, China, 1991-2008 and Conservation Suggestions

“…The land cover change was largely dependant on the local policy and people's livelihood (Rao & Pant, 2001;Zhao et al, 2006). On the topographic map of Hainan Island, more than 95% of townships were distributed below the elevation of 800 m. The growth of human population led to the expansion of agricultural land.…”