Towards Sustainable Use of Rangelands in North-West China

Towards Sustainable Use of Rangelands in China’s 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 China’s 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 China’s 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 China’s northwest pastoral areas.

This book reviews the extent of resource debasement in China’s pastoral zones and offers solutions for their sustainable use. This book draws upon the large body of Chinese language literature that is generally inaccessible to the English language audience. By having joint editors/contributors who are Chinese specialists of high repute we can “unlock” much useful data and synthesize the current thinking in China of government agencies and academic circles toward the notion of a systems approach to environmental management. This book reviews the extent of resource debasement in China’s pastoral zones and offers solutions for their sustainable use. The 5-parts deal with rangelands, and the people who manage them, and assess the prospects for rehabilitation. Topics include Livestock husbandry development and agro-pastoral integration in NW China; Ecological restoration and control of rangeland degradation. Despite widespread degradation, the book reveals the possibilities for rehabilitation and the implementation of sustainable use and for reclamation of degraded lands. 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 China’s northwest pastoral areas. Two chapters are devoted to the achievement of global environmental objectives. Carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation in mountain grasslands are just a few of the covered subjects. This portion of the book pays special attention to the successful results in Gansu– a major region of China’s pastoral lands. The final division addresses measures to improve the profitability and sustainability of herding and farming in the pastoral areas of north-west China. These and other innovative ideas make Towards Sustainable Use of Rangelands in China’s NorthWest a valuable addition to any environmental library. It is vitally important that a beginning is made on addressing the issues raised here. It is timely that the direction be set and the first steps taken in that direction. If this book can help in the process of achieving better resource management in NW China, we will feel truly rewarded.