Temporal and spatial dynamics of human impacts on forest resources in the Amur River basin after the mid-twentieth century

For a forthcoming qualitative study on the potential relationship between the eco-functions of the “giant” fish-breeding forest system (GFBF) and forest degradation in the Amur River basin, and to better understand how much past anthropogenic impacts have been damaging the function, the author carried out studies to clarify the temporal and spatial dynamics of human impacts on forest resources in this region. In particular, the studies examined the period after the mid-twentieth century, when forest degradation accelerated, and were based on available research resources plus field work, with a special focus on forest exploitation for log production and large-scale forest fires. Temporal changes in the structure of the timber trade since the mid-1980s were also studied in order to identify the dynamics and underlying causes. These studies were based on earlier works, databases developed by several institutes, and a series of interviews in both the Russian Far East and China. This study tried to reveal the big picture of dynamics of anthropogenic impacts in the basin. It included rapid forest degradation during the 1970s and early 1980s due to intensive timber production under state economic policies and frequent large-scale forest fires, along with strong domestic timber demand. A significant decrease in forest development from the late 1980s to early 1990s, mainly because of resource depletion on China’s side of the basin and lower demand under socio-economic disorder during the transition period on Russia’s side of the basin, was clarified. Also seen was a revitalization of forest development on Russia’s side of the basin, mainly due to a rapid increase in timber exports to China after the late 1990s. Consequently, forest degradation in the basin has been amplified overall along the Amur River. Dramatic changes in the structure of the timber trade since the mid-1980s, brought about by China replacing Japan as the top importer of timber from the Russian Far East, were also clarified. The conclusion addresses future issues for gaining a more qualitative understanding of the socio-economic part of the GFBF system