How an Ancient Chinese Philosophy is Solving Modern Environmental Crises
Exploring Shijun Ma's revolutionary SENCE framework and its impact on ecological restoration
By Ecological Research Team
Updated: October 2023The Ecologist Who Saw the Whole Picture
In 1984, Chinese ecologist Shijun Ma proposed a revolutionary idea that would reshape how we think about humanity's relationship with the environment.
Rather than viewing society, economy, and nature as separate entities, he envisioned them as interconnected parts of a single Social-Economic-Natural Complex Ecosystem (SENCE). Decades before "sustainability" became a global buzzword, Professor Ma recognized that solving environmental challenges required understanding these deep interconnections 4 .
Today, as climate change accelerates and natural resources dwindle, Ma's visionary framework has become more relevant than ever. His work continues to inspire ecological restoration projects across China and offers valuable insights for global sustainability efforts.
This article explores how Shijun Ma's holistic approach to ecology is helping solve some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
The SENCE Framework: Everything is Connected
Shijun Ma's SENCE theory proposes that sustainable development depends on the harmonious interaction of three subsystems.
Economic Subsystem
Concerned with production, consumption, and circulation of goods and services.
- Sustainable resource use
- Green technologies
- Circular economy models
Natural Subsystem
Comprising resources, energy, and biological processes that support life.
- Biodiversity conservation
- Ecosystem services
- Climate regulation
Unlike traditional ecology that focused primarily on natural systems, Ma's framework integrates human societies as fundamental components of ecological systems. This perspective recognizes that environmental challenges cannot be solved through technical fixes alone—they require addressing social organization, economic incentives, and cultural values simultaneously 4 .
From Theory to Practice
The power of SENCE theory lies in its practical application. Rather than remaining an abstract concept, it has generated concrete methodologies for sustainability planning:
Ecological Security Pattern Analysis
Identifies critical areas for conservation and restoration.
Ecosystem Service Accounting
Quantifies the economic value of natural processes.
Scenario-Based Assessments
Helps policymakers evaluate different development pathways.
Risk-Benefit Analysis
Evaluates trade-offs between development and conservation.
These approaches have directly informed national environmental policies in China, including the ecological conservation redline policy and the national park system 4 .
Case Study: Reviving the Loess Plateau
A Landscape in Crisis
The Loess Plateau in north-central China represents one of the most dramatic applications of SENCE thinking. For centuries, this region—comparable in size to France—suffered from severe soil erosion that threatened both ecological stability and human livelihoods.
Steep gullies, concentrated heavy rainstorms, and intensive agricultural activities had stripped the land of vegetation, making it one of the most eroded places on Earth .
The Loess Plateau before restoration efforts showed severe erosion and limited vegetation.
The Grain for Green Program
In 1999, China launched the Grain for Green Program (GFGP), which embodied Ma's integrated approach. The program converted sloping croplands to forests and grasslands while simultaneously addressing the socioeconomic needs of local communities .
Identifying Vulnerable Areas
Mapping regions where farming caused severe erosion and prioritizing them for restoration.
Providing Alternative Livelihoods
Offering subsidies, training, and economic alternatives to farmers affected by land conversion.
Restoring Native Vegetation
Strategic planting of appropriate species to rebuild ecosystem functions.
Monitoring Outcomes
Tracking both ecological and socioeconomic indicators to adjust strategies as needed.
Remarkable Results
The transformation has been dramatic. Research monitoring evapotranspiration (ET)—a key indicator of ecosystem water use—revealed how the landscape changed:
| Year | Average ET (mm/yr) | Vegetation Coverage Increase | Agricultural Productivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 387.4 | Baseline | Baseline |
| 2008 | 416.7 | +23% | +28% |
| 2013 | 447.9 | +37% | +56% |
Data adapted from Wang et al.
The Loess Plateau after restoration shows dramatically improved vegetation cover and reduced erosion.
Terraced agriculture helps prevent soil erosion while maintaining agricultural productivity.
Scientific Tools for Complex Systems
Modern ecological research employs sophisticated tools to measure sustainability progress and understand complex social-ecological relationships.
| Tool Category | Specific Methods | Application in SENCE Research |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Sensing | MODIS ET data, Satellite imagery | Monitoring vegetation and water dynamics across large areas |
| Statistical Analysis | Regression analysis, Multivariate analysis | Identifying drivers of ecological change and relationships between variables |
| Socioeconomic Data | Government statistics, Household surveys | Understanding human dimensions of environmental change |
| Modeling | Geographically weighted regression (GWR) | Analyzing spatial patterns in social-ecological relationships |
These tools helped researchers understand complex relationships, such as how socioeconomic development alters the environmental effects of conservation programs .
Remote Sensing Applications
Satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies allow researchers to monitor large-scale ecological changes over time, providing valuable data for evaluating restoration efforts.
Data Integration
Combining ecological data with socioeconomic indicators enables a comprehensive understanding of how environmental interventions affect human communities.
Shijun Ma's Enduring Legacy
From Past to Future
Though Professor Ma passed away in 1991, his work continues to influence ecological research and policy. The State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology (originally founded as the Key Laboratory of Systems Ecology) continues to advance SENCE theory 4 .
Current Research Focus Areas
- Pattern-Process-Service-Sustainability (PPSS) paradigm clarifying pathways from landscape patterns to sustainability outcomes
- Ecological civilization demonstration zones testing integrated approaches to development
- Mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products creating economic incentives for conservation
Global Relevance
While developed in China, SENCE theory offers insights applicable worldwide. Its holistic approach aligns with and enhances global sustainability frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 .
International Applications
The fundamental recognition that social, economic, and natural systems are deeply intertwined provides a valuable perspective for addressing challenges from climate change to resource scarcity.
Water Management
Biodiversity
Urban Planning