The Assessment of Green Poverty Reduction Strategies in Ecologically Fragile Areas: A Case Study of Southern Xinjiang in China

Abstract

Green poverty reduction is a strategic choice for China to bring ecological benefits as well as economic and social benefits. This study examines three typical models of green poverty reduction strategies in Southern Xinjiang, which is an ecologically fragile region. The data for calculating the comprehensive benefits of the three models were derived from satellite remote sensing data, regional forestry bureau statistics, and survey data from 2021. The economic benefits are calculated to measure the net profit of a certain type of cover such as the supply of timber, forest products, and crops. The ecological benefits are calculated to measure the improvement in water resource regulation, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, windbreak and sand fixation, biodiversity conservation, and landscape recreation. The social benefits include providing employment opportunities and government subsidy. The comprehensive benefits are a weighted average over individual benefit categories. We found that the comprehensive benefits of the composite forest model, the drought-resistant crop model, and the industrial transformation model are CNY 288 million, CNY 50 million, and CNY 545 million, respectively. The composite forest model and the industrial transformation model have greater ecological benefits, while the drought-resistant crop model has greater economic benefits.