This paper analyzes the policy of the conversion of cropland to forests based on economics theory of externalities, covering the necessity of compensation policy and its implementing.

• 摘要以西部退耕还林工程的生态补偿问题为研究对象，运用经济学的外部性理论对退耕还林补偿政策及相关生态补偿政策进行了分析与评述。