Pastoralism and Rangeland Management on the Tibetan Plateau in ...

permit. Fourth, we should strengthen research efforts focused on Tibetan Cordyceps
sinensis resources. Fifth, we should coordinate with other Cordyceps sinensis
production bases in the surrounding area to build relationships <strong>and</strong> formulate a
common index system for quality evaluation.
Photo 1: Cordyceps for sale in Lhasa
(photograph © Hermann Kreutzmann, October 27, 2010)
1 Introduction
Cordyceps sinensis (called yartsa gunbu 22 in Tibetan) is one of the unique biological
resources of the Tibetan Plateau. It was first mentioned as early as the fifth
century in Tibetan medical records. Cordyceps sinensis has been designated as
a China Class II endangered <strong>and</strong> rare species under state protection. In recent
years, as people’s living st<strong>and</strong>ards have improved, there has been an increasing
dem<strong>and</strong> for Cordyceps sinensis, resulting in its price skyrocketing (Photo 1). It
has become the most important source of income for farmers <strong>and</strong> herdsmen at
its places of origin <strong>and</strong> collection. However, because of the disorderly excavation
of Cordyceps, the suitable habitat for the fungus <strong>and</strong> its insect host, Hepialus 23
22 In recent years yartsa gunbu was attributed to Ophiocordyceps sinensis (cf. chapter 4.1 in
this volume) in contrast to the classical Cordyceps sinensis. In the framework of this paper
the classical approach is adopted <strong>and</strong> followed.
23 Taxonomically Hepialus was attributed to Thitarodes, cf. for detailed information on it
http://blog.mushroaming.com/2010/03/24/the-ghost-of-hepialus-haunting-high-asia<strong>and</strong>-beyond.aspx
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