Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192128

Title: TRANSFORMATION OF TRADITIONAL PASTORAL LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS ON THE TIBETAN STEPPE

Author
item SHEEHY, DENNIS - INTERNATIONAL CENTER
item MILLER, DANIEL - INTERNATIONAL DEV.
item Johnson, Douglas

Submitted to: Secheresse
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/29/2006
Publication Date: 9/7/2006
Citation: Sheehy, D.P., Miller, D., Johnson, D.A. 2006. Transformation of traditional pastoral livestock systems on the Tibetan Steppe. Secheresse 17(1-2):133-141.

Interpretive Summary: Rangelands of the Tibetan Steppe in Asia cover an extensive area and include cold deserts, semi-arid steppes, shrub lands, alpine steppes, and moist alpine meadows. These areas are arid to semi-arid and have a strong continental climate. The Tibetan Steppe is the source of many of the major rivers of Asia and has a rich flora and fauna with many plant species found only there. This unique region has been traditionally used by nomadic herders for grazing of yak, sheep, and goats. During the last 50 years, management of these rangelands has undergone major changes from feudalism to collectivism to privatisation of livestock with individual grazing rights. The characteristics of the Tibetan Steppe are described in this paper. In addition, a case study in Guolou Prefecture in the eastern Qinghai Province of China is used to illustrate the effects of these changes on the land resources and herders.

Technical Abstract: Rangelands of the Tibetan Steppe cover an extensive area of Asia, which is comprised of a diversity of cold deserts, semi-arid steppes, shrublands, alpine steppes, and moist alpine meadows. The climate of these rangelands is strongly continental, and most of the Steppe is arid to semi-arid. The Tibetan Steppe is the source of many of the major rivers of Asia, and has a rich flora and fauna with many endemic species. This unique region has been traditionally used for transhumant grazing by yak, sheep, and goats. During the last 50 years, management of these rangelands has undergone major shifts from feudalism to collectivism to privatisation of livestock with individual grazing rights. Characteristics of the Tibetan Steppe are described and discussed in relation to these management changes with emphasis on impacts on the land resources and herders' livelihoods. These changes are particularly referenced to a case study in Guolou Prefecture in eastern Qinghai Province.