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

minyuancus, has seen extreme destruction, seriously affecting the sustainable
excavation <strong>and</strong> use of Cordyceps sinensis. This paper provides an analysis of some
of the problems in resource development <strong>and</strong> utilization.
2 Resource Distribution of Cordyceps sinensis
Cordyceps sinensis is only found in four countries of the world: China, Bhutan,
India <strong>and</strong> Nepal. Cordyceps sinensis resources in China are mainly found in the
more than 100 counties of Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu <strong>and</strong> Yunnan at 3500
to 5000 m above sea level. According to a survey of the six cities/prefectures
of origin in Tibet, a total of 41 counties produce Cordyceps sinensis, including
six counties in Lhasa (Damxung, Qushui, Doilungdeqen, Dazi, Maizho <strong>and</strong>
Kunggar), eleven counties in Qamdo (Changdu, Jiang Da, Gongjue, Riboche,
Dengqen, Chaya, Basu, Zogang, Markam, Lhorong <strong>and</strong> Bianba), eight counties
in Shannan (Naidong, Sangri, Qusum, Cuomei, Luozha, Gyaca, Takako
<strong>and</strong> Cona), five counties in Shigatse (Tingri, Dingjie, Yadong, Gyirong <strong>and</strong>
Nyalam), six counties in Nagqu (Nagqu, Jiali, Biru, Rongnie, Sog <strong>and</strong> Baqing)
<strong>and</strong> six counties in Nyingchi (Nyingchi, Gongbo’gyamda, Milin, Bomi, Zayu
<strong>and</strong> Lang) (Figure 1).
Cordyceps sinensis is a complex fungus formed out of a mummified insect <strong>and</strong>
Cordyceps fungi parasitized in Hepialidae larva. (Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Anamorph:
Hirsutella sinensis) Recent studies have found that Cordyceps fungus can
produce a variety of bioactive substances of important medical value (Li Zeng-
Zhi et al. 2000). It has been recorded that 400 species of Cordyceps fungi exist
all over the world. China alone has 60 species. They parasitize in larva, pupa
<strong>and</strong> adults of nine different orders of insect. Some people mistakenly call all of
the fruiting bodies of host insects attacked by any parasitic Cordyceps fungus.
Actually, Cordyceps sinensis is the only genus of the 400 Cordyceps species.
Chinese scholars have been carrying out a series of systematic studies on Cordyceps
sinensis since 1958. Specifically, comprehensive studies have been done
on the species <strong>and</strong> the distribution, habits, biology <strong>and</strong> ecology of the host,
a ghost moth; the relationship between Hepialus insects <strong>and</strong> host plants; the
identification of Cordyceps sinensis fungus; biological characteristics; cultivation
methodology <strong>and</strong> molecular identification of the anamorph <strong>and</strong> teleomorph
of Cordyceps sinensis fungus. 24 The scholars have confirmed that the Hirsutella
sinensis is the anamorph of Cordyceps sinensis.
24 Zhao Jin et al. 1999; Liu Zhuoyi 1999; Wang Ning et al. 2000; Jiang Yi & Yao Yijian
2004; Zhang Li Jian et al. 2010.
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> > > 4. Niche Production as an Additional Asset for <strong>Pastoralism</strong> <strong>and</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong> <strong>Management</strong>