College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Research Website: Ecosystem Policy Institute of China

Research Interests

• Evaluation and payments for ecosystem services
• Design and implementation of ecological restoration programs 
• Forest tenure reform and institutional change
• Natural resource economics and policy
  
  

Professional experience

August 2011–April 2012           Visiting Scholar, Vincent & Elinor Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis, Indiana University.

October 2006–Sept. 2013          Director of the Ecosystem Policy Institute of China, sponsored by Michigan State Univ. and China State Forestry Administration.            

July 2006–present                     Associate Professor, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University.

April 2000–June 2006               Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University.

July−August, 2003                    Visiting Fellow, Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umea.

August 1998–March 2000         Assistant Research Scientist, School of Forest Resources, the University of Georgia.

July 1995−July 1998                 Research Associate, School of Forest Resources, the University of Georgia.

August 1989−July 1990             Visiting Scholar, School of Forest Resources, the University of Georgia.

August 1986−July 1989             Research Fellow, the Institute of Forest Economics, Chinese Academy of Forestry.

February 1982−August 1984      Instructor, Department of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University.

Honors

Distinguished Professor appointed by Zhejiang A&F University (China), 03/10/2017-present.

Hoji Scholar appointed by the Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University (China), 10/10/2010 -12/15/2013.

Chutian Scholar appointed by Wuhan Polytechnic University (China), 12/12/2013-12/11/2016.    

Joseph Fisher Dissertation Fellowship (An Empirical Analysis of China's Rural Forestry Reform: 1978-1990), awarded by Resources for the Future in 1994.

Outstanding Research Publication (China’s Forestry: Development Strategies and Policy Reforms), awarded by China’s State Council in 1988.

Research funding

Policy Evaluation and Capacity Development for the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation, China, ~$650,000 estimated for 5 years, 9/2019-8/2024; $129,835 awarded for the 1^st annual work plan.

New Transitions in Smallholder Agricultural Systems that Promote Increased Tree Cover outside of Forests, ~$700,00 awarded by NASA for 3 years, 9/2019-8/2012 (David Skole as PI).     

An Economic Analysis of Michigan’s Nursery Operations, $10,000 awarded by Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 9/01-12/30/2016.

Restoration of Mixed-Conifer Forest in the Sierra Nevada of California: Quantifying Radius Distance for Release of Large Trees, $89,766 received from Forest Service Pacific Southwest Station, 3/01/2014-2/28/2017 (Sophan Chhin as PI; my share ~35%).  

Linking Devolved Tenure Systems with Forest Conditions: A Comparative Analysis of the Experiences of China and India, $5,000 and $20,000 granted by MSU’s Asian Studies Center and AgBioResearch, respectively, 2015; $8,500 granted by MSU Center for Advanced Studies of International Development and Department of Forestry, 2016.

Restoration of Mixed-Conifer Forest in the Sierra Nevada of California: Quantifying Radius Distance for Release of Large Trees, $163,454 received from Forest Service Pacific Southwest Station, 3/01/2014-2/28/2017 (Sophan Chhin as PI; my share ~35%).

Tenure and Global Climate Change under Strengthening Tenure and Resource Rights (STARR), $83,676 awarded by U.S. Agency for International Development (Task 3a), 9/15/2013-1/30/2014 (Jiaguo Qi and Leo Zulu as Co-Is).

Planning for an Integrated Research Program of Economic Development and Environmental Conservation in Western China, $4,800 awarded by Northwest Agricultural and Forestry University (China), 8/30/2010.

Assessing the Performance of Energy Plantations in Michigan, $30,000 awarded by Michigan Economic Development Corporation, 9/1/2009-6/30/2010.

An Integrative Impact Evaluation of China’s Ecological Restoration Programs, $650,000 awarded by NSF, 9/1/2006-3/30/2010 (Jiaguo Qi and David Rothstein as Co-PIs).

Ecosystem Policy Institute of China, $100,000 awarded by Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and International Studies & Programs, 9/01/2006-8/30/2009.

China’s Forest Sector: Market Projection and Policy Analysis, $55,000 awarded by USDA Forest Service, 9/01/2006-8/30/2008.

The Driving Forces and Environmental Consequences of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change in China’s Upper Yangtze Basin, $299,820 awarded by NSF, 9/1/2005-2/28/2008 (Jiaguo Qi and David Rothstein as Co-PIs).

Land Use and Land Cover Changes in China’s Upper Yangtze Basin: A Pilot Study, $12,386 awarded by MSU Center for Advanced Study of Int’l Development and Asian Studies Center, 5/01/2005- 07/30/06.

Market Projection and Policy Assessment for China’s Forest Sector, 140,000 Yuan (~$17,000) awarded by the Natural Science Foundation of China and $95,000 awarded by the Ford Foundation, 10/1/2004-9/30/2006 (Zhou Li of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences as PI).

Advanced Technology Applications to Eastern Hardwood Utilization, $736,009 awarded by USDA, 9/15/04-9/14/05 (Pascal Kamdem as PI, my share ~$40,000).

US-Canada Forest Products Trade Symposium, $10,900 awarded by the Canadian Embassy and $6,000 awarded by MSU Office of Vice President for Research, 2005 (with Larry Leefers and Karen Potter-Witter).   

Modeling China’s Timber Markets and Impacts of Policy Changes, $12,500 awarded by the Forest Trends and the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, 2004.

Developing an Economic Analysis Tool for Practitioners in Developing Countries, $10,000 awarded by The Forest Service Office of Int’l Programs, 2003.

Advanced Technology Applications to Eastern Hardwood Utilization, $807,486 awarded by USDA, 5/15/02-5/14/05 (Pascal Kamdem as PI, my share ~$40,000).

Market Impacts and Policy Implications of U.S. Trade Restrictions on Imported Lumber, $50,000 awarded by McIntire-Stennis Forest Research Program in 2002 and Michigan Agricultural Experimental Station, 2003.

Developing a Timber Market Model for China, $50,000 awarded by the Michigan State University Foundation, 2001.

The Impact of Institutional Timberland Ownership on Regional Wood Supply, $23,883 awarded by Southeast Experimental Station, USDA Forest Service, 6/01/2000-1/31/2002.

The Impact of Fiber Farming on Logging Productivity and Costs, $5,000 awarded by the University of Georgia Research Foundation, 2000.

Evaluating the Productivity and Profitability of Fiber Farming, $25,000 awarded by the U.S. Southern Forest Resource Consortium, 1998 (David Newman as PI).

An Assessment of Production Efficiencies and Competitive Advantages of U.S. Pulp and Paper Manufacturers, $20,000 awarded by the Forest Service Southeast Experimental Station, 1998.

Funding for training and mentoring

A Professional Workshop Organized for Chinese Forestry Administrators at MSU, $5,000 received from MSU VIPP, 11/05-10/2017.   

Summer Study and Research Abroad Program at MSU, $128,000 received from Northwest A&F University (China), 7/09-8/09/2017.

Summer Study and Research Abroad Program at MSU, $118,000 received from Northwest A&F University (China), 7/17-8/17/2016. 

Summer Study and Research Abroad Program at MSU, $98,667 received from Northwest A&F University (China), 7/18-8/22/2015.

Summer Study and Research Abroad Program at MSU, $94,000 received from Northwest A&F University (China), 8/06-9/02/2014. 

Summer Study and Research Abroad Program at MSU, $85,599 received from Northwest A&F University (China), 7/13-8/17/2013. 

Summer Study and Research Abroad Program at MSU, $65,230 received from Northwest A&F

 University (China), 7/15-8/19/2012. 

Course Development—Ecosystem Service Evaluation, $3,000 awarded by MSU Center for Advanced Studies of International Development, 4/01/2011.

REU: Preparing Resource and Environmental Managers with International Understanding and Merits, $290,529 awarded by NSF, 2/15/2004-6/30/2007 (Jiaguo Qi and Maureen McDonough as Co-PIs).

Publications:

Peer-Reviewed Articles:

1. Ma, Ben, Yali Wen, Runsheng Yin. 2019. Estimating the social and ecological impact of community-based ecotourism in giant panda habitats. Journal of Environmental Management (in press).
2. Zhang, Daojun, Runsheng Yin. 2019. Spatial Characteristics of Degraded Land Their Implications to the Design and Implementation of Landscape Restoration Programs: West China as an Example. Forest Policy and Economics (in press).
3. Hyde, William, Runsheng Yin. 2019. 40 Years of China’s Forest Reforms: Summary and Outlook. Forest Policy and Economics 98: 90-95.
4. Liu, Ping, Runsheng Yin, Minjuan Zhao. 2019. Reformulating China’s Ecological Restoration Policies: What Can Be Learned from Comparing Chinese and American Experiences? Forest Policy and Economics 98: 54-61.
5. Hou, Jianyun, Runsheng Yin, Weiguang Wu. 2019. Intensifying Forest Management in China: What Does It Mean, Why, and How? Forest Policy and Economics 98: 82-89.
6. Yin, Runsheng, Hao Liu, Can Liu, Gang Lu. 2018. Households' Decisions to Participate in China's Sloping Land Conversion Program and Reallocate Their Labor Times: Is There Endogeneity Bias? Ecological Economics 145: 380-390.
7. Xia, Zhao, Runsheng Yin 2017. Coordination of a Socially Responsible Two-stage Supply Chain under Price-dependent Random Demand. 4OR: 16(4), 379-400.
8. Hou, Jianyun, Xuexi Huo, Runsheng Yin. 2017. Land Rental Market Participation and Its Impact on Fixed Investment and Household Welfare: Evidence from Chinese Apple Production Sites. Sustainability 9: 1961; doi:10.3390/su9111961.

Impact and effectiveness evaluation of China’s ecological restoration programs

1. Ma, Ben, Yali Wen, Runsheng Yin. 2019. Estimating the social and ecological impact of community-based ecotourism in giant panda habitats. Journal of Environmental Management (in press).
2. Zhang, Daojun, Runsheng Yin. 2019. Spatial Characteristics of Degraded Land Their Implications to the Design and Implementation of Landscape Restoration Programs: West China as an Example. Forest Policy and Economics (in press).
3. Liu, Ping, Runsheng Yin, Minjuan Zhao. 2019. Reformulating China’s Ecological Restoration Policies: What Can Be Learned from Comparing Chinese and American Experiences? Forest Policy and Economics 98: 54-61.
4. Yin, Runsheng, Hao Liu, Can Liu, Gang Lu. 2018. Households' Decisions to Participate in China's Sloping Land Conversion Program and Reallocate Their Labor Times: Is There Endogeneity Bias? Ecological Economics 145: 380-390.
5. Shi, Miaoying, Runsheng Yin, Hongdi Lv. 2017. An Empirical Analysis of the Driving Forces of Forest Cover Change in Northeast China. Forest Policy and Economics 78: 200-209.
6. Shi, Miaoying, Jiaguo Qi, Runsheng Yin. 2017. Has China’s Natural Forest Protection Program Protected Forests?—Heilongjiang’s Experience. Forests 7: 218 (doi:10.3390/f7100218).
7. Li, Hua, Shunbo Yao, Runsheng Yin, Guangquan Liu. 2015. Assessing the Decadal Impact of China’s Sloping Land Conversion Program on Household Income under Enrollment and Earning Differentiation. Forest Policy and Economics 61: 95-103.
8. Zhao, Minjuan, Runsheng Yin, Liuyang Yao, and Tao Xu. 2015. Assessing the Impact of China’s Sloping Land Conversion Program on Household Production Efficiency under Spatial Heterogeneity and Output Diversification. China Agricultural Economic Review 7(2):221 - 239.
9. Yin, Runsheng, Can Liu, Minjuan Zhao, Shunbo Yao, and Hou Liu. 2014. The Implementation and Impacts of China’s Largest Payment for Ecosystem Services Program as Revealed by Longitudinal Household Data. Land Use Policy 40: 45–55.
10. Yin, R.S., Minjuan Zhao, and Shunbo Yao. 2014. Designing and implementing payments for ecosystem services programs: what lessons can be learned from China’s Sloping Land Conversion Program. Environmental Science and Technology 48: 19-20.
11. Yin, Runsheng, Tianjun Liu, Shunbo Yao, and Minjuan Zhao. 2013. Designing and Implementing Payments for Ecosystem Services Programs: Lessons Learned from China's Cropland Restoration Experience. Forest Policy and Economics 35: 66-72.
12. Qiu, Linjing, Fenli Zheng, and Runsheng Yin. 2012. SWAT-Based Runoff and Sediment Simulation in a Small Watershed, the Loessial Hilly-Gullied Region of China: Capabilities and Challenges. International Journal of Sediment Research 27(2): 226-234.
13. Liu, Ping and Runsheng Yin. 2012. Sequestering Carbon in China’s Forest Ecosystems: Potential and Challenges. Forests 3: 417-430.
14. Yin, Runsheng and Minjuan Zhao. 2012. Ecological Restoration Programs and Payments for Ecosystem Services as Integrated Social-Ecological Processes. Ecological Economics 73(15): 56-65.
15. Yin, Runsheng, Roger Sedjo, and Ping Liu. 2010. The Potential and Challenges of Sequestering Carbon and Generating Other Services in China’s Forest Ecosystems. Environmental Science & Technology 44: 5687-5688.
16. Li, Changbin, Jiaguo Qi, Zhaodong Feng, Runsheng Yin, et al. 2010. Parameters Optimization Based on the Combination of Localization and Auto-Calibration of SWAT Model in a Small Watershed in Chinese Loess Plateau. Frontiers in Earth Science China 4(3): 296–310.
17. Liu, Can, Jinzhi Lu, and Runsheng Yin. 2010. An Estimation of the Effects of China’s Forestry Programs on Farmers’ Income. Environmental Management 45(3): 526-540.
18. Yin, Runsheng, Guiping Yin, and Lanying Li. 2010. Assessing China’s Ecological Restoration Programs: What’s Been Done and What Remains to Be Done? Environmental Management 45(3): 442-453.
19. Li, Changbin, Jiaguo Qi, Zhaodong Feng, Runsheng Yin, Biyun Guo, Feng Zhang, and Zou Songbing. 2010. Process-Based Soil Erosion Simulation at the Regional Scale – The Impact of Ecological Restoration in Chinese Loess Plateau Region. Environmental Management 45(3): 476-487.
20. Yin, Runsheng and Guiping Yin. 2010. China’s Ecological Restoration: Initiation, Implementation, and Challenges. Environmental Management 45(3): 429-441.
21. Qing, Xiang, Runsheng Yin, Jintao Xu, and Xiangzheng Deng. 2010. The Driving Forces of Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes in the Upper Yangtze Basin. Environmental Management 45(3): 454-465.
22. Zhao, Shuqing, Shuguang Liu, Runsheng Yin, Zhengpeng Li, Yulin Deng, et al. 2010. Quantifying Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Dynamics in the Jinsha Watershed, Upper Yangtze, China from 1975 to 2000.  Environmental Management 45(3): 466-475.
23. Yin, Runsheng and Qing Xiang. 2009. An Integrative Approach to Modeling Land Use Changes: The Multiple Facets of Agriculture in the Upper Yangtze Basin. Sustainability Science 5(1): 9-18.
24. Xu, Jintao, Runsheng Yin, Zhou Li, and Can Liu. 2006. China’s Ecological Rehabilitation: Progress and Challenges. Ecological Economics 57(4): 595-607.
25. Shen, Yueqin, Xianchun Liao, and Runsheng Yin. 2006. Measuring the Socioeconomic Impacts of China’s Natural Forest Protection Program. Environment and Development Economics 11(6): 769-788.
26. Yin, Runsheng, Jintao Xu, Zhou Li, and Can Liu. 2005. China’s Ecological Rehabilitation: Unprecedented Efforts, Dramatic Impacts, and Requisite Policies. China Environment Series 6: 17-32.
27. Yin, Runsheng. 2009. An Integrated Assessment of China’s Ecological Restoration Programs. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer (ISBN 978-90-481-2654-5).

29. Studies of the issues related to the development and reform in China’s forest sector

30. Hyde, William, Runsheng Yin. 2019. 40 Years of China’s Forest Reforms: Summary and Outlook. Forest Policy and Economics 98: 90-95.
31. Xia, Zhao, Runsheng Yin 2017. Coordination of a Socially Responsible Two-stage Supply Chain under Price-dependent Random Demand. 4OR-QJ Operations Research (http://doi.org/10.1007/s10288-017-0368-9).
32. Hou, Jianyun, Xuexi Huo, Runsheng Yin. 2017. Land Rental Market Participation and Its Impact on Fixed Investment and Household Welfare: Evidence from Chinese Apple Production Sites. Sustainability 9: 1961; doi:10.3390/su9111961.
33. Hou, Jianyun, Runsheng Yin, Weiguang Wu. 2017. Intensifying Forest Management in China: What Does It Mean, Why, and How? Forest Policy and Economics 98: 82-89.
34. Lan, Jing, Runsheng Yin. 2017. Policy impact evaluation: Future contributions from economics. Forest Policy and Economics 83: 142-145.
35. Huo, Jianyun, Xuexi Hou, Runsheng Yin. 2017. Does Computer Usage Change Farmers’ Production and Consumption? Evidence from China. China Agricultural Economic Review (in press).
36. Yin, Runsheng. 2016. Empirical Linkages between Devolved Tenure Systems and Forest Conditions: An Introduction to the Literature Review. Forest Policy and Economics 79: 271-276.
37. Yin, Runsheng, Leo Zulu, Jiaguo Qi, Mark Freudenberger, Matthew Sommerville. 2016. Empirical Linkages between Devolved Tenure Systems and Forest Conditions: Primary Evidence. Forest Policy and Economics 79: 277-285.
38. Shi, Miaoying, Runsheng Yin, Leo Zulu, Jiaguo Qi, Mark Freudenberger, Matthew Sommerville. 2016. Empirical Linkages between Devolved Tenure Systems and Forest Conditions: Case Studies and Country Experiences. Forest Policy and Economics 79: 286-293.
39. Yin, Runsheng, Leo Zulu, Jiaguo Qi, Mark Freudenberger, Matthew Sommerville. 2016. Empirical Linkages between Devolved Tenure Systems and Forest Conditions: Challenges, Findings, and Recommendations. Forest Policy and Economics 79: 294-299.
40. Liu, Ping, Runsheng Yin, Hua Li. 2016. China’s Forest Tenure Reform and Institutional Change at a Crossroads. Forest Policy and Economics 72: 92-98.
41. , Runsheng, Leo Zulu, Jiaguo Qi. 2014. Empirical Linkages Between Devolved Tenure Systems and Forest Conditions:  Literature Review and Synthesis.  Washington, DC:  USAID Tenure and Global Climate Change Program.
42. Yin, Runsheng, Shunbo Yao, and Xuexi Huo. 2013. China's Forest Tenure Reform and Institutional Change in the New Century: What Has Been Implemented and What Remains to Be Pursued? Land Use Policy 30: 825-833.
43. Yin, Runsheng, Shunbo Yao, and Xuexi Huo. 2013. Deliberating how to resolve the challenges facing China’s forest tenure reform and institutional change. International Forestry Review 10: 534-543.
44. Liu, Can and Runsheng Yin. 2004. Poverty Dynamics Revealed in the Production Performance and Forestry in Improving Livelihoods: the Case of West Anhui, China. Forest Policy and Economics 6: 391-401.
45. Yin, Runsheng, Jintao Xu, and Zhou Li. 2003. Building Institutions for Markets: Experience and Lessons from China’s Rural Forest Sector. Environment, Development, and Sustainability 5: 333-351.
46. Yin, Runsheng and Jintao Xu. 2002. A Welfare Evaluation of China Rural Forestry Reform. World Development 30(10): 1755-1767.
47. Yin, Runsheng and W.F. Hyde. 2000. Trees as An Agriculture Sustaining Activity: the Case of Northern China. Agroforestry Systems 50: 179-194.
48. Yin, Runsheng. 1998. Forestry and the Environment in China: the Current Situation and Strategic Choice. World Development 26(12): 2153-2167.
49. Yin, Runsheng and D.H. Newman. 1997. The Impact of Rural Reform on China's Forestry Development. Environment and Development Economics 2(3):289-303.
50. Yin, Runsheng. 1994. China's Rural Forestry since 1949. Journal of World Forest Resource Management 7:73-100.