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

estricted the sustainable development of local agricultural production <strong>and</strong> imposed
hidden threats on social stability. The implementation of the rangel<strong>and</strong>
restoration project creates a good foundation for all nationalities in Xinjiang to
improve their production <strong>and</strong> living conditions. It is the concrete manifestation
of the Party’s <strong>and</strong> the State’s minority policies. It is both a benevolent <strong>and</strong> empowering,
enriching project. Therefore, the project is conducive to maintaining
regional security, unity <strong>and</strong> long-term social stability.
(5) Implementation of the rangel<strong>and</strong> restoration project in Xinjiang has achieved
remarkable results
As natural rangel<strong>and</strong>s are seriously overgrazed at present, the average winter
pasture forage yield has decreased by 50 %, summer pastures by 55 % <strong>and</strong> spring
pastures by 45 %. Rangel<strong>and</strong> degradation leads to structural changes in the
ecosystems <strong>and</strong> the food chain, with rodents <strong>and</strong> locusts increasingly occurring
in the area. Now winter pasture vegetation coverage is only 25 %, with a fresh
grass yield of 35–45 kg/acre. 10 Spring <strong>and</strong> autumn pasture vegetation coverage
is only about 35 %, with a fresh grass yield of 60–90 kg/acre. Therefore, pasture
fencing <strong>and</strong> a change in natural rangel<strong>and</strong> utilization patterns is a pressing task.
Implementation of grazing breaks, fencing <strong>and</strong> other policy measures, combined
with biological, engineering <strong>and</strong> technical measures, have provided the
project area with an effective rest. This is good for the restoration of vegetation,
is conducive to biodiversity conservation <strong>and</strong> sustainable use <strong>and</strong> is good for
maintaining the balance of rangel<strong>and</strong> ecosystems <strong>and</strong> enhancing rangel<strong>and</strong>
productivity. Vegetation coverage in the zero-grazing area has increased from
25 % to 30–40 % <strong>and</strong> grass height has increased from 10–25 cm to 15–40 cm.
Vegetation coverage in the reduced-grazing area has increased from 35 % to
45–85 % <strong>and</strong> grass height has increased from 15–60 cm to 30–80 cm. Hence
the rangel<strong>and</strong> productivity <strong>and</strong> ecological functions have been effectively
restored. Implementation of grazing breaks <strong>and</strong> other measures for rangel<strong>and</strong>
restoration will not only improve the plantation coverage of the project area,
reduce the coefficient of exposure surface <strong>and</strong> enhance the role of plant transpiration,
but also change the regional water <strong>and</strong> heat conditions <strong>and</strong> create a
new ecological environment. At the same time, due to vegetation growth in the
project area, soil erosion is easing <strong>and</strong> the function of soil <strong>and</strong> water conservation
have been restored <strong>and</strong> strengthened. The deterioration of the rangel<strong>and</strong>
ecological environment has been checked.
By implementing the rangel<strong>and</strong> restoration project, establishing a high-st<strong>and</strong>ard
forage production base on the agro-pastures <strong>and</strong> growing enough high-quality
10 One hectare equals app. 2.5 acres.
63
> > > 2. Eco-Shelter Concept for the Tibetan Plateau