Abstract
China has 400 million ha of grassland, 72% of which is temperate grassland, including meadow steppe, typical steppe, and desert steppe. Some 90% of the grassland is degraded to different degrees. We present an overview of the indicators of various stages of degradation. The degradation is caused by long-term inappropriate use of the grassland in interaction with climate change. The most important causes are the explosive growth of the human population and livestock numbers in the Chinese grassland domain, together with the growing demand for economic improvement. We briefly review the effects of overgrazing, frequent mowing, transformation into cropland, and overharvesting of useful plants, and discuss the laws installed and measures taken to address these problems and manage grassland properly. Though the past decade has shown promising improvements, it is still a long way for China to achieve the goal of sustainable economic development and grassland conservation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Chen Z (1990) Degradation of natural grassland ecosystem and its regulation in China. Control of land degradation in China. China Science and Technology Press, Beijing
Chen Z (2008) Into the grasslands. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing, pp 5–13
Chen Z, Wang S (2000) Typical steppe ecosystem in China. Science Press, Beijing
Demers C, Clausen R (2002) Managing cattle or timberlands: forage management. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
Duan Q, Xin X, Yang G, Chen B, Zhang H, Yan Y, Wang X, Zhang B, Li G (2011) Current situation and prospect of grassland management decision support systems in China. In: Computer and computing technologies in agriculture, vol 347, IV IFIP advances in information and communication technology., pp 134–146
Gu Y, Chen Y (2001) Situation and development strategy of Xilingol League. Inner Mongolia Education Press, Huhhot
Han JG, Zhang YJ, Wang CJ, Bai WM, Wang JR, Han CD, Li LH (2008) Rangeland degradation and restoration management in China. The Rangeland J. 30:233–239
Jin G, Zhu J (2009) Chapter 14. Case Study 8: Northern Xinjiang. In: Squires VR, Lu X, Lu Q, Wang T, Yang Y (Eds.) Rangeland degradation and recovery in China’s pastoral lands. CAB International, London. pp197–215
Jia S, Cui X, Li S, Chen Y, Wang F (1997) Soil physical properties along a grazing pressure gradient. In: Grassland ecosystem research. Science Press, Beijing, pp 12–16
Li B (1990) China’s grasslands. Science Press, Beijing
Li B (1997) Degradation and countermeasures of grassland in the Northern China. Sci Agri Sin 1:1–5
Li Q, Han G, Ao T, Peng S (2003) Approach on restoration mechanism of rotational grazing system on desert steppe. Trans Chin Soc Agric Eng 19:224–227
Li Q, Zhao G, Zheng M, Amin B (2005) Delay grazing: a practical approach to grassland environment protection and sustainable animal production in grassland of Northern China. Acta Agrectir Sin 13 (suppl):53–56
Li Y, Qin X, Li W, Lin E, Gao Q, Wang Y, Shi F (2007) Impacts of no grazing in summer on greenhouse gas emissions from Kobresia humilis alpine meadow. Trans Chin Soc Agric Eng 23:206–210
Liu J (2008) Reform and development of Chinese grassland in 30 years. Acta Agrectir Sinica 16:547–551
Liu J (2010) Continuously developing grassland animal husbandry of China. Pratacult Sci 27:1–3
Liu X, Feng Q, Liang T, Long R (2010) Spatial-temporal dynamic balance between livestock Âcarrying capacity and productivity of rangeland in Gannan of Gansu province, China. Chinese Journal of Grassland 32: 99–106
Ministry of Agriculture (2005) Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China (No. 48)
National Environmental Protection Bureau of China (1999) State of the environment in China in 1998
Squires VR, Lu X, Lu Q, Wang T, Yang Y (2009) Rangeland degradation and recovery in China’s pastoral lands. CAB International, London
Squires VR, Hua L, Zhang D, Li G (2010) Towards sustainable use of rangelands in North-West China. Springer, New York
Suttie JM, Reynolds SG, Batello C (2005) Grasslands of the world. FAO, Rome
Wu J (1995) Study on grassland degeneration in China. Ecol Econ 5:1–6
Wu X, Wu F, Chen W, Luo Y (2005) Performance of bungeana based on warm-season rotational grazing. Heilongjiang Anim Sci Vet Med 7:56–57
Zhong Y, Bao Q, Sun W (1991) A study on reasonable mowing system of natural mowing steppe in Baiyinxile farm, Inner Mongolia. Acta Ecol Sin 11:242–249
Zhu L, Zeng Z, Zhao B, Wang X, Hu Y, Hai T (2008) Effect of spring rest-grazing on steppe vegetation. Acta Agrectir Sinica 16:278–282
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Cui, X., Guo, K., Hao, Y., Chen, Z. (2012). Degradation and Management of Steppes in China. In: Werger, M., van Staalduinen, M. (eds) Eurasian Steppes. Ecological Problems and Livelihoods in a Changing World. Plant and Vegetation, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3886-7_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3886-7_18
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-3885-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-3886-7
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)