Spatio-temporal difference analysis of green utilization efficiency of forested land in China

Forested land use is a system with multi-input and multi-output. Its output has direct economic value and precious ecological value. Evaluating the economic and ecological value of forested land use is of great importance with regard to sustainable development. Green use efficiency of forested land is an important method to evaluate the sustainable use of forested land. The value equivalent method is adopted to estimate the equivalent weights of ecological value of forested land in 31 provinces and cities in China. Based on that, green utilization efficiency of forested land in 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013 in 31 provinces and cities in China is evaluated through slack-based measure (SBM) model, and the main reasons for efficiency loss and improving directions are analyzed. Conclusions are as follows: during 1998-2013, green utilization efficiency of forested land trended down at first and trended up later. With regard to green utilization efficiency of forested land, the best performing areas are eastern coastal areas and provinces and cities with traditional forested area,while provinces such as Qinghai are the worst performers. For inefficient provinces and cities, the essential reasons for efficiency loss should be clarified. More attention should be paid to efficiency loss caused by redundant labor force and fixed-asset investment. Targeted approaches should be taken to reduce waste. Aiming at the vulnerable spots of regional ecological function, forest types and tree species should be classified reasonably, and more attention should be paid to the construction and maintenance of regional forested ecological system.