PR98438

SHANGHAI, Oct. 24, 2022 /Xinhua=KYODO JBN/--

More than 30 percent of the total area of Chongming is covered by forest. The

36,000 hectares of forests on the island district account for nearly one-third

of Shanghai's total.

That high forest coverage plays an important role in air purification, water

conservation and climate regulation. Agricultural products grown in forests can

also reduce the adverse effects of wind, drought, diseases and pests.

The forest ecosystem comprises many animals, plants and other organisms, which

has a high economic value if reasonably developed, giving rise to "forest

economics".

The Shanghai Conghui Agricultural Products Professional Cooperative plants

matsutake mushrooms in the forest in Xincun Town. The mushrooms are grown with

local rice straw as the substrate and organic fertilizer is applied. Yang Ji,

head of the cooperative has calculated that the output of the fungi planted in

the forest is almost the same as that planted in the field, but it can greatly

reduce costs and save land resources.

Chongming is also exploring planting Chinese herbs such as dendrobium and some

shade-loving flowers and plants in forests.

Agricultural products

While it is widely believed that high forest coverage can help improve the

quality of local agricultural products, few may know that tall fruit trees such

as orange and pear trees are also forest resources. Chongming fruit forests

have both ecological and economic value.

Gu Chao, head of Chongming Luhua Agricultural Trade Co, said that the sales

price of locally produced Cuiguan pears has surged more than 30 percent this

year, and the brand-name pear was sold out as early as before the end of July.

Gu believes that the popularity of Chongming pear lies in its superior quality.

In addition to the ecological planting and natural maturity that Chongming

always insists upon the island's environment is also suitable for the growth of

pear trees.

"Pear trees grow well and have fewer pests and diseases," Luo Jun, a research

fellow with the Forestry and Fruit Institute of the Shanghai Academy of

Agricultural Sciences, pointed out.

Luo added that Cuiguan pear was selected as the main variety of pear to be

grown in Chongming because it was found through research that the soil pH,

groundwater level and climate conditions in Chongming were particularly

suitable for its growth.

The forest coverage in Chongming has increased together with the money in

Chongming people's pockets. This is a kind of wisdom.

Source: Information Office of Shanghai Chongming District People's Government

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   Caption: More than 30 percent of the total area of Chongming is covered by forest.

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   Caption: Chongming pear