Establishing a new ecological balance in Hainan

This article examines the role of tropical forests in the ecological balance of the island of Hainan, China. The island has abundant flora and fauna, its soil resource potential is very great, and its climatic conditions suit it to the growing of tropical cash crops and valuable tropical trees such as rubber. Topics considered include the shelter role of forests, the role of forests in water and soil conservation, and the role of forests in regulating precipitation. An overwhelming majority of the existing 3.4 million rubber trees throughout the island have yet to produce consistently high yields or to meet requirements for being formed into a network, with terraced fields that provide ample cover consisting of superior varieties of trees. Suggestions for the building of a new ecological balance on Hainan include the revival and building of a tropical forest system; a combination of forests and rubber trees; a combination of farming, forestry, and animal husbandry; and the full and rational development of water conservancy resources to increase the impounding and conservation of water.