Reciprocity of grassland conservation and pastoralist livelihoods: Evidence from comparison between developed and developing regions

Wang, Boyu; Yan, Haiming; Zhang, Qian

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109517

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…In fact, by grazing, the animals open the scrub and keep the vegetation free from the advancement of the bush, reducing the risk of fires and hydrogeological instability. The breeder therefore becomes an element of extreme importance for the conservation of pastures and native breeds and a figure of being a guardian of the territory [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Husbandry in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: An Economic-Structural Analysis for the Protection and Enhancement of the Territory and Local Resources

Cerrato,

Benincasa,

Iasi

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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This research seeks to deepen the current economic and structural aspects of the livestock farms in the rural territory “Casacastra” (Cilento area), to identify critical issues and development opportunities with the intention to enhance and protect the territory under study also through strengthening forms of local economy. Information about the consistency and the typology of livestock farms present in the study area, and the trend in the last twelve years, were acquired thought the consultation of the national livestock register of the Italian Ministry of Health. Subsequently, a questionnaire was submitted to a sample of farmers to better know the characteristics of the breeders and of the husbandries. The results showed that in the study area, there are 4% of the cattle and sheep herds of the Campania Region, and 7% of those with goats. The most representative farm size is the class with less than 20 animals per breeding type, and between 2010 and 2022, there has been a reduction in the number of all types of analyzed husbandries. The most represented productive orientation is that for meat, while the specialization in the production of milk in sheep and goat breeding is completely absent. The interviews revealed that the breeders are almost all over 40 years of age, with middle and high school qualifications and consolidated experience. The workforce involved in the farms is mainly the family one and often breeders are people engaged in other non-agricultural activities. Despite the permanence in some cases of archaic husbandry methods, the breeders play a key role in the study area for the protection of the territory, and the conservation and enhancement of local animal and plant genetic resources are at risk of extinction. Moreover, the survival of this rural context is linked to the development of new forms of local economy, such as the definition of an experiential rural tourist offer, in which the presence of institutions plays a fundamental role.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Husbandry in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: An Economic-Structural Analysis for the Protection and Enhancement of the Territory and Local Resources

Cerrato,

Benincasa,

Iasi

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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“…By enriching the survey's perspective and dimensions, we can better understand the correlation mechanism among the economic income of farmers and herders, their production and lifestyle, population density, and desert environment. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the survey results [94,95]. To further improve the combination of quantitative and qualitative data in assessing desertification risk in semi-arid alpine mountains, the use of system dynamics and structural equation models can be beneficial.…”

Section: Advantages and Stability Of The Cloud Model Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Land Desertification and Its Drivers in Semi-Arid Alpine Mountains: A Case Study of the Qilian Mountains Region, Northwest China

Liu

Deng³

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Land desertification associated with climate change and human activities significantly impacts ecosystem functioning in semi-arid alpine mountains. However, accurately revealing the state of desertification risk and the drivers of its evolution is frequently difficult, especially in the semi-arid alpine mountains. A new theoretical framework that combined qualitative and quantitative concepts has been developed to enhance ecological risk assessment in semi-arid alpine mountains and reveal the causes of desertification. The PSR model, multi-layer hierarchical theory, hierarchical analysis, inverse cloud generating principles, field surveys, structured questionnaires, and remote sensing techniques are all combined in this method. Our results showed that the risk of desertification in the study area exhibited a fluctuating trend between 2000 and 2020, with a period of decrease, followed by an increase, and then a subsequent decrease. However, the risk status remained overall stable, remaining at a light desertification level during the entire period. Desertification risk is driven primarily by climate warming and humidification, which can cause the melting of ice/snow. Additionally, increased rainfall and freeze–thaw cycles can enhance soil erosion, further exacerbating the risk. Conversely, the implementation of environmental protection projects, such as the establishment of protected areas, efforts to restore forests and grasslands, and initiatives to conserve soil and water, has been effective in limiting the increase in desertification risk. These efforts serve as a counterforce to the negative impacts of climate change and human activity, highlighting the beneficial effects of human intervention in preventing desertification. High-altitude, high-topographic relief places have considerable desertification risk, mainly in the alpine desert. Due to geography, grazing, rodent and pest infestation, and wildlife, there is still a risk of desertification expanding in low elevation areas. There will be a greater urgency in the future to enhance the management of anthropogenic activities in the local environment in order to handle the growing threat of desertification caused by climate change. This study combined the interactions of the natural environment and human activities, filled a research gap in assessing desertification risk, and revealed its driving mechanisms, as well as provided a theoretical foundation for improving the integrity and sustainability of ecosystems in semi-arid alpine regions and elsewhere.

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“…This policy involves stringent controls on the number of livestock that herder households are permitted to raise per unit area (Zhang et al, 2019). While numerous ecological studies have affirmed that grassland degradation in China has been mitigated and improved (Zhao et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2022), herder households have incurred substantial economic losses as the policy subsidies have not adequately compensated for the significant reduction in livestock income (Xiao et al, 2022). Furthermore, the strict stocking rate regulations have compelled herder households to transition from exclusive grassland grazing to a combined approach of grazing and shed feeding (Wang et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of Labor Productivity in Single and Multi-household Grassland Management Patterns: A Case Study in Maqu County, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

2023

JAS

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This study investigated labor productivity in meat and milk/dairy production within single and multi-household management patterns, based on primary data collected from 156 randomly selected herder households in Maqu County, Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that in the rotational grazing system, herder households in both single and multi-household management patterns achieved higher labor productivity for meat production (70.36 Kg/man-day and 51.21 Kg/man-day, respectively) compared to the overall study households (40.89 Kg/man-day). In contrast, within the continuous grazing system, the single-household management pattern recorded lower labor productivity for meat production (23.04 Kg/man-day). Significantly, regional variations in the distance between pastures and market centers led herder households in the single-household management pattern within the continuous grazing system to achieve superior labor productivity for milk and dairy production (19.74 $/man-day) compared to the overall study households (15.44 $/man-day). In the rotational grazing system, labor productivity for milk and dairy production stood at 12.63 $/man-day for the single-household management pattern and 8.30 $/man-day for the multi-household management pattern. These findings underscore the complexities associated with achieving high labor productivity simultaneously in both meat and milk/dairy production within the same grassland management pattern. While the multi-household management pattern shows promise in reducing labor inputs, it also grapples with challenges in achieving substantial production levels for meat and milk/dairy products. To address these challenges, policymakers should consider follow-up measures that prioritize the simultaneous enhancement of meat and milk/dairy production within the multi-household management pattern. Special attention should be given to reducing the distance between herder households and market centers to facilitate the sale of milk/dairy products. Simply advocating for the broader adoption of the multi-household management pattern may fall short without addressing these production-related hurdles.

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Reciprocity of grassland conservation and pastoralist livelihoods: Evidence from comparison between developed and developing regions

Cited by 5 publications

References 55 publications

Animal Husbandry in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: An Economic-Structural Analysis for the Protection and Enhancement of the Territory and Local Resources

Animal Husbandry in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park: An Economic-Structural Analysis for the Protection and Enhancement of the Territory and Local Resources

Assessment of Land Desertification and Its Drivers in Semi-Arid Alpine Mountains: A Case Study of the Qilian Mountains Region, Northwest China

Analysis of Labor Productivity in Single and Multi-household Grassland Management Patterns: A Case Study in Maqu County, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

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