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Overview
In total land mass, China is the third largest country
in the world--with a population of over 1.3 billion
citizens. China also has over 160 million hectares of
forestland and over 800 nature reserves. China is one
of the world's five largest wood producing countries--with
two-thirds of its production being consumed as fuel.
The climate and geography of China make it a unique
place for biodiversity--home to first-class protected
animals and plants such as the giant panda, hair-crest
deer, White-lip deer, China fir, Chinese cypress gingko,
and alder. China's temperature ranges from tropical
to subartic, thus, the mountains, deserts, plains, and
deltas provide a variety of habitats for plants and
animals.
Threats
to the Forests
China faces increasing threats from population growth,
which include deforestation, air and water pollution
and the steady fall of the water table. Only 16 percent
of China's land area remains in forest and woodland,
while 43 percent is permanent pasture and 10 percent
is arable land. However, timber harvesting has ceased
in the wake of logging ban in 1998.
Why
Does the US Forest Service Work in China?
As a major exporter of a wide variety of products and
because of biological and geological similarities, China
and the United States have the potential to share unwanted
species. Therefore, by working with China we can address
mutual invasive species problems. From beech bark scale
to Asian longhorned beetles--fungi, insects and plants
can have severe impacts on the forests of United States
and China.
Over the past years, the US Forest Service has been working on several enterprise
projects in China. The US Forest Service Forest
Health Technology Team and International
Programs have been working with counterparts at
the Chinese Academy of Forestry and the US
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service to control
the Asian longhorned beetle. The Forest
Health Technology Team, supported by International
Programs also initiated a cooperative effort with
the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing
to survey for natural enemies of mile-a-minute weed.
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Russia-China: Illegal Logging Transboundary Trade
In cooperation with the US State Department, USAID, and other non-governmental organizations, the US Forest Service is arranging workshops and training in Far Eastern Russia to address the large volume of illegally sourced timber and associated forest products flowing into China from Russia . The intention is to promote trans-boundary cooperation on the legal sourcing of timber.
The workshops and training, to be held in 2006 and 2007, will afford government and business representatives from the two countries an opportunity to become familiar with “best practices” for companies to promote legal and sustainable timber harvesting, and improve their understanding of the changing forest laws relevant to trans-boundary timber trade. Russian and Chinese business leaders will exchange experiences and discuss sustainable forest management practices. In particular, they will share information about the traceability of timber in cross-border trade, development of private sector independent verification systems, improved information flow and transparency, and the strengthening of public-private sector cooperation.
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Forest Health/Invasive Species
Mile-a-Minute Weed
Mile-a-minute weed (Polygonum perfoliatum L.)
is an invasive weed indigenous to Asia. In 1946, it
was found growing in a neglected nursery in Pennsylvania.
Prior to 1980, mile-a-minute weed's known area of infestation
was limited to five counties in Pennsylvania. This weed
has now become established in Connecticut, Delaware,
Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
From 1997 through 2002, weed population surveyed through
China, and 111 insect species were collected and identified.
Among the insect species, a weevil (Rhinoncomimus
latipes Korotyaev) was regarded as the most promising
agent. Three leaf beetles, Smaragdina nigrifrons,
Gallerucida bifasciata, and Galerucella placida
were dominant at most survey sites, which impacted the
growth and reproduction of the weed. There will be further
evaluation of a bug (Cletus schmidti) and a sawfly
(Allantus nigrocaeruleus) for their host specificity.
From 2000 through 2004, R. latipes was shipped
into a quarantine facility in Delaware for further host
range testing. In 2004, R. latipes was reared
at the University of Delaware and released in New Jersey
and Delaware based on the Technical Advisory Group's
recommendation. Survey for natural enemies and host
range testing are also conducting in Japan.
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Kudzu
Kudzu
is an aggressive invasive weed in the United States.
It has been distributed from Massachusetts to Florida,
and west to Oklahoma and Texas (Frankel 1989, Mitich
2000), with recent spot distributions in Oregon. This
perennial, semi-woody, climbing leguminous vine is native
to China and pervasive in most parts of the country.
It is considered a useful plant (e.g., forage, food,
medicine, and craft culture).
Kudzu
was originally introduced into the United States from
Japan in 1876 as an ornamental vine at the Philadelphia
Centennial Exposition (Winberry and Jones, 1973), then
as a forage crop at the beginning of the 20th century
(Piper, 1920). However, widespread distribution of kudzu
did not occur until the 1930's and 1940's when it was
promoted to control soil erosion, especially in Piedmont
regions of Alabma, Georgia and Mississippi (Tabor and
Sussot 1941). By 1953, it was recognized as a weed,
and removed from the list of species recommended for
use. In 1970, it was listed as a common weed in the
southeastern United States (Everest et al. 1999), and
finally in 1998, kudzu was listed as a federal noxious
weed by the U.S. Congress (Mitich 2000). Today, estimates
of the total kudzu infestation vary considerably from
several hundred thousand acres to over 10 million acres
with most recognized around 7 million acres (Fears and
Frederick 1977, Miller and Edwards 1983, Everest et
al. 1991, Corley et al. 1997, Britton et al. 2000, Mitich
2000) and keep spreading. Kudzu is widely believed to
drastically reduce biodiversity due to its ability to
smother other vegetation and exist as a monoculture.
It is recognized that the lack of natural enemies has
contributed to the spread of kudzu, as it has a very
rich complex of natural enemies in its native range
(Pemberton 1989).
Kudzu is now widely considered as one of the important
invasive weed in the United States. Various management
and eradication programs have been explored to control
the spread of kudzu, from intensive herbicide application
(Miller and Edwards 1983), to livestock grazing (Martin
1984, Bonsi et al. 1992), to industrial use of the plant
(Tanner et al. 1979), and recent attempt to control
with the plant pathogen ( Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola),
but none have shown lasting results.
As
an invasive weed, biological control of kudzu naturally
comes into mind but has only recently been considered
as a possible management strategy. Kudzu appears to
be a good candidate for a classical biological control
project since this naturalized weed appears to lack
natural enemies capable of lowering its pest status
in the United States (Britton et al. 2000). However,
little is known about insects feeding on kudzu since
it is considered a common weed in its native range and
the focus on how to utilize it and its growth and ecology
(Zhang 1987, Shao 1993, An et al. 1996, Zhang and Ye
1990, Chen and Zhang 1985, Yang et al. 1996, Tandon
et al. 1979). A work by Tayutivutikul and Kusigemati
(1991) reported a general list of insects associated
with kudzu in Japan. Previously Tayutivutikul and Yano
(1990, 1989) studied biology of 2 kudzu feeding insects,
Megacopta punctissimum (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) and
Chauliops fallax (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). Tsuimakawa
(1986 ) reported insects feeding on kudzu seeds including
pryalid moth, a bruchid beetle and a Lygaeid bug. Besides,
six fungi diseases were reported, mostly in China (Jiang
et al. 2000, Zidack and Backman 1996). Thornton (2000)
surveyed insects feeding on Kudzu foliage, vines, roots,
and seeds in North Carolina. Pemberton (1989, 1996)
reported an abundance of natural enemies of kudzu in
China and Asia and believed a good potential exist for
controlling kudzu in the United States. Other concerned
scientists who visited China (DeLoach, Markin, Schiff,
personal communications) agreed and encouraged the initiation
of a biological control research program.
A
cooperative program funded by the US Forest Service
was initiated in 1999 to survey the natural enemies
of kudzu for potential of biological control of kudzu
in the United States. Surveys were focused in Anhui
Province, China because a climatic matching indicated
it was the area most similar in climate to Atlanta,
Georgia, 2 systematic survey sites therefore were established,
one is in Qinshan, south of Yangtze River which distinctly
delinerate fanua and flora in China. This site was surveyed
consecutively for 4 years and another site is in Xuancheng,
north of Yangtze River. Both sites are in the mountain
region as the most kudzu distribution occurs in mountain
region in China because of intensive farming. Surroundings
of those two sites are pine plantations. A third survey
site was established in Guangdong Province in 1999 and
this site was survey for 2 years as supplementary since
it is much further south, and consequently warmer comparing
to Anhui mountain sites. The site is located in an agricultural
land but mixed with pine plantation. In 2000, a site
in Shaanxi Province was added to the survey because
significant defoliation and root damage were observed
previously. This site is also located in forested region
with pines and broadleaved trees.
At
each site, five root crowns of kuzdu were randomly selected
for sampling. Each root crown was marked with a stake
placed near the root crown. A circle of colored tape
and a sign was placed around each root crown, in order
to prevent disturbance by human activities and to mark
for easy finding. At each sampling time, surveyor followed
the same path to avoid trampling and damaging the vines
lying on the ground. The sites were surveyed for 1 to
3 consecutive years (1999-2001) for insect feeding,
mating, biology, species, insect collection, etc. at
10-20 day intervals from May to November. Collection
of kudzu-feeding insects was conducted by hand-picking,
aspirated from kudzu plants, net sweeping and caging
and rearing in some cases. When immature insects were
found, they were collected in a plastic bag together
with tissue they were feeding, and then taken back to
the laboratory for rearing. The seasonal abundance was
also recorded. Over the five years about 200 natural
enemies were collected in China. Preliminary host range
testing has been conducted on many of the species, and
several showed host specific. In 2004 surveys for natural
enemies and preliminary host range testing continued
in China and surveys initiated for natural enemies in
Japan.
A
chrysomelid beetle, Gonioctena tredecimmaculata, has
been shipped from China and is currently being evaluated
as a biological control agent of kudzu in the quarantine
facility in Newark, Delaware. As larvae and adults,
this beetle rapidly and exhaustively consumes new foliage
produced by the plant. G. tredecimmaculata is ovoviviparous,
has a high reproductive rate and short development time,
and exhibits an obligate diapause. While these characters
make G. tredecimmaculata a good candidate for biological
control of kudzu, host specificity tests show that this
insect can feed on soybean and hogpeanut (a native legume).
Future work will focus on the ability of G. tredecimmaculata
to complete its life cycle on these and other host plants,
since reproduction of naive, second generation beetles
was not observed (pers. comm. with Matthew Frye and
Judith Hough-Goldstein).
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White
Pine Blister Rust
For
more information on white pine blister rust: http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/subimages.cfm?SUB=722
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| Related Publications |
Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network newsletter:
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Resources
Insect
Book
In
1991, the book "Forest Insects of China",
2nd edition (ed. by Xiao, Gangrou) was printed in Chinese
and continues to be the most valuable publication that
includes information on 824 forest insect species in
141 families of 13 orders. It was written by many forest
entomologists in various universities and institutes.
It includes distribution, host range, morphology, biology
and line drawings for each species, control methods
including rearing and utilization of natural enemies
at the end of families or genera concerned. This book
was first published in 1980, and includes 444 forest
insects, 31 natural enemies, 7 economic important insects,
and 10 mites. The second edition added 402 insects in
44 families of 2 orders, and also corrected the errors
and deleted some insects that have uncertain taxonomy
occurred in the first edition. This book became to the
most referable source of information recently since
invasive species has become an important issue in the
United States (e.g. Asian Long-horned Beetle, Emerald
Ash Borer). These data in English need to be provided
to pest managers in North America and other English
readers.
Two
meetings for initiating the project were held in Beijing
in August 2004. The participants included Dr. Xiao Gangrou,
retired professor from the Chinese Academy of Forestry,
and other cooperators from the Chinese Forestry Administration,
the China Forestry Publishing House, the Institute of
Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the US Forest Service-Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. The
major focus during the next three years (January 2005
- December 2007) will be: 1) Update the technical information
concerning major forest insects that appeared in the
Chinese version of the 1991 publication "Forest
Insects of China" and collected during the forest
pest survey during 2004; 2) Review the accuracy of the
manuscript both English grammatically and technically;
and 3) Publish new versions (English book and English
CD) of the "Forest Insects of China".
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Disease
Book
There
is a lack of background information about Asian forest
diseases, which makes them difficult to identify and
manage upon introduction into North America. In 1982,
the book "China Forest Diseases" was printed
in Chinese and continues to be the most valuable publication
that includes information on 119 forest diseases. It
was written by 13 forest pathologists in various universities
and institutes. It includes distribution, causal agent,
biology, host range, dispersal, control, and colored
drawings of each disease. Since printing of the book,
20-years ago, additional information has been gathered
using new technology concerning previously described
diseases as well as the discovery/documentation of new
diseases and these data need to be provided to pest
managers in both China and North America.
This
project was initiated in 2003 under a cooperative agreement
among The China Forestry Publishing house, US Forest Service-Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, and
-International Programs. The major focus during the
three years (January 2003 - December 2005) will be:
1) Update the technical information concerning 119 forest
diseases that appeared in the Chinese version of the
1982 publication "China Forest Diseases;"
2) Acquire technical information on other diseases of
forests not included in the 1982 publication; 3) Provide
information on distribution in Asia (with map for China);
center of origin; causal pathogen; diagnosis; host list;
damage and economic importance; biology; dispersal and
potential pathways of introduction; control methods
including biological and chemical control, as well as
disease resistance; and colored photos of disease symptoms;
and 4) Publish new versions (both Chinese and English)
of "China Forest Diseases" including about
200 forest diseases.
The
manuscript for the Chinese version was completed in
August 2004, and it is in the process of translation
into English.
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Forest
Management
Code
of Harvesting Practices
The
Chinese State Forestry Administration with some support
from the US Forest Service has a project to develop
and test codes of forest harvesting practices that can
help lead to improved forest management in China. The
International Labor Organization in cooperation with
the Food and Agriculture Organization provided funding
for the initial development phase. The US Forest Service
provided harvesting specialists to comment on the draft
codes of practice and some funding in the development
phase and plans to continue to provide technical assistance.
The State Forestry Administration is currently in the
process of institutionalizing the codes and developing
awareness and training in the implementation of the
Codes of Practices. The Codes are important even though
China has a logging ban in place because there are still
many areas excluded from the ban (plantations). Secondly,
there is some discussion to allow timber harvesting
in restricted areas and the Code can provide the basis
for better practices.
As
part of the development and implementation of the Codes,
in September, 2004, the US Forest Service hosted two
State Forestry Administration staff to gather information
on how to train and bring greater awareness to implementing
these best management practices. The two meet with Universities,
the timber industry, non-governmental organizations
and the US Forest Service.
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Forest
Health and Restoration
RESTORING
HEALTHY FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN CHINA--A Chinese State
Forestry Administration Project in Collaboration with
the US Forest Service and Memphis Zoo
Background
The
Chinese State Forestry Administration is quickly moving
from a philosophy of a planned quantity-based forest
management system to one that also considers quality.
This has meant taking a broader more comprehensive perspective
in their management practices. One of the primary indications
of their commitment to this shift is the logging ban
they instituted in 1998. Initially, it banned timber
harvesting in over 80 percent of their natural forests
within six months. Additionally, the Chinese government
implemented large-scale restoration projects for both
natural forests and conversion of steep farmland back
into forests. Today the ban affects almost 70 percent
of all the natural forests in China. Although China
has made great strides in increasing their forest cover,
they were spending significant resources to manage pests
and other environmental stresses yet not obtaining the
goods and services they expected from their forests
due primarily to unhealthy forests.
Healthy
forests are essential if they are to provide the goods
and services demanded by humans and other biological
systems. A healthy forest is one that can tolerate changes
and stresses such as drought, pests, and fire yet still
maintain a steady flow of quality water, timber, habitat
for wildlife, recreational opportunities, and other
diverse needs. Generally, the optimal strategy for healthy
forests is to maintain or create the natural ecosystem
of the local forest that includes the original suite
of plants and animals, and aboitic components. Many
times this is not possible, so other strategies need
to be employed, trying to replicate the natural ecological
functions and not necessarily the original ecosystem.
One
major challenge is to first determine if the existing
condition of a particular forest can be practically
maintained or converted back to its natural ecosystem
in a relatively short time period. If this is not possible,
then other strategies and/or intermediate steps need
to be employed so surrogate environments are established
that come close to emulating the ecological functions
that were once present.
The
State Forestry Administration in collaboration with
the US Forest Service, the Memphis Zoo, and others
are beginning a project that will look at various strategies
and practices that can be implemented to facilitate
and restore healthy forests in the most sound and efficient
way. The approach is to start with five areas with different
conditions and needs. Primarily working at the village
or farmer level, the project will explore various treatments
to move or maintain the forest areas towards a more
healthy state while having a strong consideration for
the needs and livelihoods of the local villagers and
farmers. Assuming the demonstrations are successful,
the State Forestry Administration intends to expand
this process in other areas throughout China.
Goal:
Manage healthy forests, which help to sustain China's
forest resources, society, and economy.
Objectives:
- Develop
sound forest management plans that optimize
the balance between maintaining the forest resource
base and demands on put on those resources.
- Implement
forest practices that promote the desired conditions
as described in the forest management plans.
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Timeline
and Accomplishments
- 2000
- the State Forestry Administration and the US Forest Service begin discussion for the project.
- 2001
- The US Forest Service hosted the first Chinese
team to the U.S. to view forest management practices
and to begin discussions on forest health. The Memphis
Zoo joins the partnership.
- 2001
- Four sites identified:
Guiyang (Guizhou)
Lijinag (Yunnan)
Xinfong (Jiangxu)
Foping (Shanxii)
- 2001
- Staff from the State Forestry Administration and
the US Forest Service visited two of the preliminary
four sites (Foping and Guiyang). Memphis Zoo staff
participated in the visit to the Foping site. Suggestions
were made to the local forest bureau staff on the
kinds of specific sites to select.
- 2002
- Sites begin to draft management plans
- 2002
- The Memphis Zoo and the US Forest Service again
hosted a team from China. The focus was on industrial
forest management and how it could co-exist with management
for multiple resources.
- 2002
- The State Forestry Administration with support from
the US Forest Service and Memphis Zoo hosted a workshop
titled "Forest Health and Restoration."
It was preceded with field visits to the demonstration
sites to help facilitate discussion. Participants
heard of ongoing efforts in forest health and restoration
in the United States from both a government and industry
perspective. Participants also heard of the situation
and plans for each of the demonstration sites. This
background was followed by discussions and comments
on the plans for the demonstration sites.
- 2003
- A fifth site was added to the project in Beijing
- 2003
- Sites continued to refine their management plans
and begin to implement activities under the plan.
- 2003
- The Forest Service hosted a team from China. The
focus for this study tour was on partnerships and
watershed management.
Future
Plans and Focus Areas
The
Forest Service and its partners plan to continue to
provide technical advice and other information to the
Chinese in this project on forest health and restoration.
This will be accomplished through exchange visits, workshops
and studies.
Partners
(US Forest Service and Memphis Zoo and others) with
the State Forestry Administration will find ways to
continue to support the Forest Health and Restoration
Project with limited financing and more importantly,
technical assistance and advice. The approach will be
adaptive to the needs of the demonstration sites and
resources at hand.
Partners
Chinese
State Forestry Administration
Afforestation Department
Contact: Wei Diansheng
weidiansheng@forestry.gov.cn
US Forest Service
International Programs
Contact Gary Man
gman@fs.fed.us
Memphis
Zoo
Contact: John Ouellette
jouellette@memphiszoo.org
Relevant
Websites
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