The Western Scholars' Promotion to the Soil and Water Conservation of China in the First Half of 20th Century

In the early period of 20th century, the western plant hunter F. Mayer, botanical explorer H. Smith, foresters Norman Shaw and W. C. Lowdermilk had noted the terrible results of deforestation in the mountains and hills of northern China by slope cultivation. Deforestation led not only excessive erosion and soil degradation, but also destructive flooding and drought annually. Their writings had aroused the general attention in China and abroad, especially Lowdermilk ' s studies which were at work in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan had directly promoted the foundation of soil and water conservation in China. As their works had exerted tremendous influence in Chinese academic circle, Chinese scholars began to carry out a series of remarkable works about experiment of soil and water conservation, forest protection of water-head as well as project of establishment for shelterbelt forest in order to reduce wind erosion and to conserve soil moisture in "three North" and so on. Eventually they founded Chinese Soil and Water Conservation Association in 1945.