ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN WEST CHINA AND ITS RESPONSE STRATEGY

The ecological and environmental change in West China in the past and its trend in the future is a great scientific problem facing scientific circles. Understanding correctly the ecological and environmental change process in the past and its trend in the future in West China will contribute to achieve the sustainable development of economy and society of West and constitute the scientific basis for developing the strategy of speeding up the development of West China. Based on the result of Assessment on the Environmental Change in West China, this paper introduces the principal characteristics and basic facts of the ecological and environmental change in West China in the past, and emphasizes that global warming and human activities have played an important role in the ecological and environmental change in West China in the past 50 years. The paper points out that the changes in climate and environment in the future will have a far reaching effect on the economic and social development in West China. The recommendations for the ecological protection and sustainable development in West China are put forward in the paper. The paper also points out that the ecological recovery and protection in West China should be developed comprehensively and made focal points stand out. In order to support the implementation of the strategy of developing West the scientific research on the ecology and environment and the economic and social development in West China should be strengthened.