Redlines for the greening of China

Conservation-development conflicts are problems that challenge global society and are important issues for conservation ecology research. A redline paradigm has evolved at the central government level in China as a new attempt for better resolution of conservation and development conflicts, including redlines for cropland conservation, forestland conservation and development, prohibited development zones, restricted development zones, and key ecological function zones. However, significant overlaps among these redlines and other land resource demands are key sources of hot debates about practicality. To advance the redline paradigm as a practical resource and environmental management tool, we propose recommendations including (1) strengthening the executive capacity of redline management by rule of law, (2) developing closer collaborations among different governmental sectors, (3) creating multi-source economic incentives through payment schemes for environmental services, and (4) promoting public participation. The advancement of the redline paradigm in China may serve as an example of conflict resolution for other nations. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.