Community-Based Grassland Management in Western China Rationale, Pilot Project Experience, and Policy Implications

Abstract

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Managing biodiversity rich hay meadows in the EU: a comparison of Swedish and Romanian grasslands

“…Agricultural policies and socioeconomics drive the maintenance of traditional grassland use, and governance of grassland biodiversity in general, in Europe (Zarzycki & Misztal 2010;Kristensen et al 2004) and elsewhere (see for example Banks et al 2003;Fauna and Flora International 2009;Fu et al 2012).…”

Vulnerability of Worldwide Pastoralism to Global Changes and Interdisciplinary Strategies for Sustainable Pastoralism

“…Some scholars (Riley 2004, Fischer 2008 report that the population growth rates of Tibetans and Kazaks were about double that of Han during 1982-2000, although it is difficult to accurately estimate such growth rates for pastoralist populations because of methodological sampling issues including the selection of appropriate time periods (Fischer 2008). With the building of a new railway into Tibet in 2006, more immigrants are expected into this traditionally pastoral region (Bauer 2005), likely resulting in the overpopulation of outsiders in pastoral societies similar to other parts of western China (Banks et al 2003). Population growth in pastoral areas could lead to chronic overstocking, as the number of livestock must remain at similar or even higher per capita levels to maintain an unchanged living standard (Harris 2010).…”

How can social and environmental services be provided for mobile Tibetan herders? Collaborative examples from Qinghai Province, China

“…With the introduction of animal husbandry and a commune system to the western areas of Zhiduo County in the late 1950s, the unit size for land management decreased considerably -first with the advent of simple cooperatives, then with the communes, and most recently with the adoption of a privatised household-level management structure that was transferred uniformly from lowland farming areas of China. The 'household responsibility (or contract) system' has been applied across the country including in high altitude grasslands since 1985 (Banks 2003;Ciren 2006;Richard et al 2006). Yet despite such changes, there also still remains in most herding communities a strong sense of identity that goes beyond village-level elections, and recalls past tribal and clan affiliations.…”

“…Yet despite such changes, there also still remains in most herding communities a strong sense of identity that goes beyond village-level elections, and recalls past tribal and clan affiliations. This has significant implications in terms of local leadership and community decision-making processes, on one hand, and the local acceptance and adoption of possible alternatives or variations on current land use (natural resource use) practices, on the other hand (Banks et al 2003). Thus it is still important today to incorporate better understanding of local histories and cultural issues even in policy-led development interventions, to increase the likelihood of successful adoption of new measures by local community members (Foggin 2000;2005a;.…”