Since the implementation of the "Grain for Green Program" by Chinese government in 1999, the vegetation coverage of the Loess Plateau has increased significantly, which has effectively prevented the soil erosion in this region. The latest research shows that the vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) in the Loess Plateau has already approached the threshold of the regional water resource carrying capacity, thus a further expansion of the vegetation area will inevitably aggravate the situation of water shortage in this region. To further consolidate the achievements of "Grain for Green Program", the future vegetation construction in the Loess Plateau should change from expanding the area to improving the quality.

vegetation construction  /  water resources carrying capacity threshold  /  Loess Plateau