Social–Ecological Changes With Long‐Term Ecological Restoration in a Typical Red‐Soil Hilly City of Southern China

ABSTRACT The focus of ecological restoration has shifted to social–ecological elements. Although assessing the social–ecological effects of ecological restoration is essential for improving best practices in regional ecological protection, there are still few comprehensive analyses in the typical regions of Southern China yet. Southern Jiangxi (i.e., Ganzhou City), China, was once a region with extensive soil erosion in the early 1980s. Although several ecological programs have been implemented over the last 40 years, the social–ecological effects of ecological remediation are not fully understood. Using spatiotemporal data and statistical methods, this study aims to analyze the social–ecological changes resulting from long‐term ecological remediation in southern Jiangxi, China. The mean tree canopy (TC) cover in Ganzhou City exhibited a significant upward trend from 1982 to 2016. Xingguo County exhibited the lowest mean TC but also the fastest TC growth during the period. The soil erosion rate decreased in most counties of Ganzhou City over recent decades. The sediment discharge at the Hanlinqiao gauging station on the Ping River exhibited a significant downward trend between 1957 and 2014, and the decrease in the sediment load after 1987 can be attributed to soil conservation practices implemented in Xingguo County since 1983. Crop production levels, economic development levels, and resident income increased in the rural areas of Ganzhou City over the past 40 years. In conclusion, southern Jiangxi has emerged as a successful ecological restoration region in China, with significant social–ecological benefits achieved since the early 1980s. The results provide scientific support for decision‐making by relevant departments to manage natural resources in Southern China.