1、Study on Benefit ofEnvironmental friendlyRubber PlantationPOLICY BRIEFDisclaimer:this version is a direct translation of the original Chinese versionBulletin on Lancang-Mekong Environmental Cooperation2The Renaissance of Natural RubberAs a kind of rubber yielding tree planted in alargescalearoundthe

2、world,theheveabrasiliensis has the advantages such as highyield,good quality,long economic life,easylatex exploitation,and fast latex regeneration.Originating in the tropical rainforest in AmazonBasin in South America,during the process ofevolution for thousands of years,the heveabrasiliensisformsth

3、euniquehabitofadaptation to high-temperature,high-humidityand calm wind environment gradually,has thephysiological characteristics of rapid growth,sensitivereactiontolowtemperature,undeveloped wood and mechanical tissue,fragiletrunkvulnerabletowinddamageattacks,and has higher requirement for organic

4、mattercontentofthesoil.Duetosuchcharacteristics,the rubber trees are planted in alimitedareaaroundtheworld.Atpresent,underthe constraints of the planting conditions,90%of the rubber trees in the world are mainlyplantedinThailand,Indonesia,Malaysia,Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries,as well

5、as a few African countries such asNigeria,indicating that the natural rubber is atypical environmental constraint resource.Byplantingofthenaturalrubber,itispossibletonotonlymeetthedemandsforrelevantproductsinproductionandlife,butalsoenhance the income of farmers,increase theemploymentopportunities,a

6、ndimprovelivelihoods to a great extent.However,it is anindisputable fact that the planting of the naturalrubber leads to the problems in land occupationandfoodsecurity;furthermore,ithasoutstanding negative impact on the ecologicalenvironment,such as loss of tropical rainforest,reduction in biodivers