China's Forest Product Imports and the Impacts on Tropical Forests

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dc.contributor.authorSun, Xiufangen
dc.contributor.committeechairHammett, A. L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSmith, Robert L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberNorton, George W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberBush, Robert J.en
dc.contributor.departmentForest Resources and Environmental Conservationen
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-24T09:01:28Zen
dc.date.available2025-01-24T09:01:28Zen
dc.date.issued2025-01-23en
dc.description.abstractChina's forest product imports have surged over the past two decades, fueled by robust economic growth and an inadequate domestic timber supply. In 2017, China implemented a complete logging ban in its natural forests, further widening the domestic timber supply gap. Many observers highlight the large and expanding trade volume as a significant driver of deforestation and forest degradation, especially in tropical regions. This research investigates the relationship between China's imports of wood-based forest products and tropical forest loss (deforestation), as well as the impacts of China's complete logging ban in natural forests in shaping this relationship. I found that the logging ban has contributed China's timber imports from both provincial-level and supplying countries' analyses. However, economic development, wood products exports, and forest endowment have also played important roles. I found a positive relationship between China's imports of wood-based forest products and the forest loss across all tropical countries, except in Latin America. Additionally, land conversion to agricultural production and pasture for livestock, and rural population are important drivers of the tropical forest loss. The analysis results provide insight into the complex policy, environmental, and economic factors influencing China's imports and tropical forest loss. This research offers valuable guidance for the Chinese government in crafting balanced policies that protect domestic forests while addressing tropical deforestation.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralFor more than 20 years, China's demand for wood products has grown fast, driven by rapid economic growth and the country's limited timber supply. To protect its forests and environment, China banned tree cutting in its natural forests in 2017, further increasing the need for imported timber. This growing demand has been blamed to link to forest loss, especially in tropical areas. This study looks at the connection between China's wood imports and the loss of tropical forests. It also examines how the tree cutting ban in China has impacted this relationship. The findings show that the ban has led to an increase in timber imports. However, economic growth, wood products exports, and the availability of forests in China are also important factors. The study found that China's wood products imports are associated with forest loss in most tropical regions, except for Latin America. Additionally, converting land use from forests to crop production and raising livestock, and population growth in rural areas are key drivers of forest loss. These results offer insights that can help the Chinese government makes policies to protect both domestic and tropical forests.en
dc.description.degreeDoctor of Philosophyen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:42097en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10919/124342en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectChinaen
dc.subjectforest product importsen
dc.subjectlogging banen
dc.subjecttropical forest lossen
dc.titleChina's Forest Product Imports and the Impacts on Tropical Forestsen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineForest Productsen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen

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