Wei & Chen--Grassland classification and evaluation of grazing capacity in Tibet

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

Grassland classification and evaluation of grazing capacity in Naqu Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China

WEI YAXING

Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and
Engineering Research Institute
The Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dong Gang West Road 260, 730000
Lanzhou city, Gansu Province
P. R. China

CHEN QUANGONG

Gansu Grassland Ecological Research Institute
P.O. Box 61, 730020
Lanzhou, Gansu Province
P. R. China

Abstract Grassland animal husbandry is an important component of the regional economy in Naqu Prefecture of Tibet. A grassland survey was initiated to specify biological and socio-economic characteristics of animal husbandry. The information from the survey was used to classify grassland resources and to evaluate grazing capacity. Based on the China Grassland Classification System, the grasslands in Naqu Prefecture were classified into 4 classes, 10 groups, and 32 types. The assessment of grazing capacity indicated that the grasslands in the eastern counties of the temperate wet zone and some counties in the central and western parts are severely overgrazed, which has resulted in serious grassland deterioration. Clarifying the ownership of the grazing lands should be the top priority for the government if a policy of sustainable development of grassland animal husbandry in Naqu Prefecture is to be adopted.

Keywords grassland; grazing capacity; Naqu; Tibet

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2001, Vol. 44: 253-258

0028-8233/01/4404-0253 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 2001

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