Living in decline – the dynamics of anthropogenic disturbances in the recent landcover history of Manchuria and its consequences for Northeast Asia

ABSTRACT The paper examines the recent landcover history of Manchuria and its implications for a socio-ecological decline that is spreading across Northeast Asia. Beginning by looking at forest decline and land use change implemented under Japanese colonial rule (1905-1945), the paper argues that the colonial dynamics of deforestation and monocultural farming intensified hydrological stress. Due to land clearance and intensive land use under Japanese and subsequent Chinese management, boreal forest resources have eroded and desiccated to a point where socio-ecological needs can no longer be met. As China has turned to foreign timber resources for its economic needs, the environmental decline experienced across Manchuria has extended to other, poorly managed forest regions in Northeast Asia. I argue that interdisciplinary studies are needed to provide more comprehensive views of the long-term dynamics of agricultural transformation, urbanization, lumber markets, and state policy on forests and ecosystems. Such studies would shed light on the causes of forest degradation as well as help create more successful forest restoration policies in Northeast Asia.