Integrated Farming Systems at Different Scales 473Shelterbelt management should not only pay attention to long-term ecological
and social benefits, but must also consider the immediate economic benefits, and
timber, commercial and fuelwood plantations should be important components of
a protection forest project. With regard to production structure, diversified econ-
omy and integrated development should be encouraged. Projects with immediate
benefit should be promoted so as to compensate for those with long-term benefits.
It is crucial to improve on a large scale the existing networks of shelterbelts, to
introduce tree species with greater stability, to increase economic and landscape
trees and to find more uses, and to build a multi-functional integrated forestry,
agricultural and ecological system so as to guide farmland ecosystems, agriculture
and animal husbandry onto a path of sustainable development.
At present, the establishment of China’s shelterbelts is developing into a com-
prehensive system of ecological types. The research work has developed from qual-
itative description to quantitative analysis, and from single item to a comprehensive
project, integrating vegetation (trees and crops), atmosphere and soils into a com-
plete system. New techniques of remote sensing, micro-meteorology, and simu-
lated ecological experiment are being used for in-depth research to reveal the
proper structure, functions and mechanism of agricultural benefits from the shel-
terbelt systems. All these efforts are aimed at developing shelterbelt systems in
China.
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