Unintended Side Effects of Conservation: A Case Study of Changing Land Use in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, China

Conservation efforts in Jiuzhaigou Valley National Nature Reserve, aimed at restoring the landscape to a perceived 'natural' state and protecting biodiversity, have led to unintended consequences. A study analyzing satellite imagery from 1973, 2004, and 2013 revealed that while overall cleared land has decreased, the distribution of treeless areas has shifted towards flatter slopes in valley bottoms (~2400 m) and higher subalpine elevations (~3800 m). This change reduces topographic diversity, potentially impacting biodiversity, as plant communities in Jiuzhaigou are highly stratified by elevation and aspect. Additionally, the study found that many 1973 treeless areas were on deep-seated landslides, whereas recent ones are on landslide deposits and alluvial fans, suggesting that relocation efforts may not mitigate natural hazard risks for residents. These findings highlight the complex interplay between conservation policies, landscape diversity, biodiversity, and human vulnerability in protected areas.

Schmidt, A. H., Li, Y., & Tang, Y. (2017). Unintended Side Effects of Conservation: A Case Study of Changing Land Use in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan, China. Mountain Research and Development, 37(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-15-00056.1