Towards Sustainable Use of Rangelands in North-West China (eBook) von Victor Squires

Rangeland Systems and People Under Pressure.- North-West Chinas Rangelands and Peoples: Facts, Figures, Challenges and Responses.- Livestock Husbandry Development and Agro-Pastoral Integration in Gansu and Xinjiang.- Combating Rangeland Degradation.- Exploring the Options in North-West Chinas Pastoral Lands.- Ecological Control of Rangeland Degradation: Livestock Management.- Ecological Restoration and Control of Rangeland Degradation: Rangeland Management Interventions.- Achieving the Global Objectives.- Biodiversity of Plants and Animals in Mountain Ecosystems.- Carbon Sequestration and the Implications for Rangeland Management.- Protecting Local Breeds of Livestock in NW China.- Improving the Profitability and Sustainability of Herding and Farming in the Pastoral Areas of North-West China.- Agro-Pastoral Integration in NW China: A New Paradigm?.- Improved Animal Husbandry Practices as a Basis for Profitability.- Herders Income and Expenditure: Perceptions and Expectations.- LandTenure: Problems, Prospects and Reform.- The Way Forward.- Environmental Education: A Tool for Changing the Mind-Set.- Redesigning Livestock Systems to Improve Household Income and Reduce Stocking Rates in Chinas Western Grasslands.- Towards Ecological Restoration and Management in Chinas Northwest Pastoral Lands.

Towards Sustainable Use of Rangelands in Chinas North West is based on the program of the International Conference Implementing GEF Objectives in a Systems Framework held in Lanzhou, Gansu, China in October 2008. This collection reviews the extent of resource debasement in Chinas pastoral zones and offers solutions for their sustainable use. The five parts deal with ran- lands, and the people who manage them, and assess prospects for implementation of more sustainable rangeland/livestock production systems. Topics include Livestock husbandry development and agro-pastoral integration in Gansu and Xinjiang; Ecological restoration and control of rangeland degradation. Despite widespread degradation, the articles reveal the approaches that are likely to lead to recovery of these rangelands and better livelihoods for the local herders and farmers. Two chapters are devoted to the achievement of global environmental objectives. Carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation in mountaingrasslands are just a few of the covered subjects. This portion of the book pays special attention to the successful results in Gansu and Xinjiang major regions of Chinas pastoral lands. The final division addresses measures to improve the profitability and susta- ability of herding and farming in the pastoral areas of north-west China There are fifteen chapters on subjects that include: Livestock management, Rangeland management interventions, Agro-pastoral integration, Improved animal husbandry practices as a basis for profitability. Land tenure and access, Environmental education, Ecological Restoration and New Management approaches for Chinas northwest pastoral areas.