18. Recent Changes on the Loess Plateau: Land Resource Development and Rapid Urbanization

The economy of the Loess Plateau of China has been developing rapidly in recent years and therefore the region’s share of the national economy has steadily increased. The plateau is rich in energy resources and their exploitation is the driving factor for economic development of the region. However, this development has come at the expense of the natural environment. Because of implementation of the Grain-for-Green Project, the land resource structure has greatly changed, characterized by a decrease in cultivated land and an increase of forestland. Orchard land has expanded, especially in Weibei Loess Plateau, where the apple fruit industry is enjoying sound development. However, the plateau is characterized by extensive urban sprawl, although the total amount of urbanization is still low by Chinese standards.

Investment in ecological improvement and environmental protection via the Grain-for-Green Project in the Western Regions has greatly developed the society and economy. Even so, the gap between the Loess Plateau region and eastern region continues to widen. Moreover, the degree of coupling between economic and ecological systems is low. Therefore, an ecological compensation system for resource exploitation should be established.