清代，「與林爭地」成為解決巨大人口壓力的重要途徑。在大規模的毀林開荒下，山區水土流失的面積持續擴大，也帶來了生態、經濟及社會危機。 顯然，當時人們已明確認識森林的各項功能，對於大量開山造成的種種弊害，也做過深入剖析。最後，還嘗試運用很多方法及策略，如禁止栽種玉米以其他樹種替代、頒布墾山禁令並驅逐棚民、鼓勵民間廣為植樹、從事梯田耕作及講究開山的方法等，來解決山林環境破壞的問題。

In Qing dynasty, in order to resolve the pressure of overpopulation problem, people destroy forests and then develop wasteland under cultivation as much as possible. It caused flooding and disastrous mudslides. At the same time, it also brought harm to ecology, economy, and society. People did realize the benefits of forest. They also pointed out disadvantages of excessive exploitation. In order to reduce environmental ruin, people even did their best to create useful methods and strategy as follows: shifting from maize production to tree crops and perennials, forbidding shed people’s over-cultivation by moving them away, planting trees broadly, building terraces, and improving methods of mountain cultivation.