Restoration Approach of Sub-Alpine Degraded Ecosystem in Northwest Yunnan——"Close to Nature Forestry" Theory and Methods

More than half of the ecosystem in northwest Yunnan,caused by disturbance in various degree from nature and human activities,has been degraded into barren and rock desert,grassland,shrubby forest,slash area,burned area and inferior secondary forest,which lead to serious impacts on the system's elements,structure,functions,interior environment and interaction of species.Aiming at solving the problems of conventional methods in regeneration of degraded ecosystem,e.g.singularity of tree species,simple reforestation pattern,lack of landscaping intention and free gazing,the concept of close to nature forest is strongly recommended to achieve the restoration of degraded alpine ecosystem in northwest Yunnan by formulating restoration strategy,applying native species,developing mixed forest,early tending of target species,encouraging natural regeneration and appropriate management of land.