Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits
Grasslands occupy 40% of the world’s land surface (excluding Antarctica and Greenland) and support diverse groups, from traditional extensive nomadic to intense livestock-production systems. Population pressures mean that many of these grasslands are in a degraded state, particularly in less-product...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
National Academy of Sciences
2013
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128775 |
| _version_ | 1855532397779484672 |
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| author | Kemp, David R. Guodong, Han Xiangyang, Hou Michalk, David L. Fujiang, Hou Jianping, Wu Yingjun, Zhang |
| author_browse | Fujiang, Hou Guodong, Han Jianping, Wu Kemp, David R. Michalk, David L. Xiangyang, Hou Yingjun, Zhang |
| author_facet | Kemp, David R. Guodong, Han Xiangyang, Hou Michalk, David L. Fujiang, Hou Jianping, Wu Yingjun, Zhang |
| author_sort | Kemp, David R. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Grasslands occupy 40% of the world’s land surface (excluding Antarctica and Greenland) and support diverse groups, from traditional extensive nomadic to intense livestock-production systems. Population pressures mean that many of these grasslands are in a degraded state, particularly in less-productive areas of developing countries, affecting not only productivity but also vital environmental services such as hydrology, biodiversity, and carbon cycles; livestock condition is often poor and household incomes are at or below poverty levels. The challenge is to optimize management practices that result in “win-win” outcomes for grasslands, the environment, and households. A case study is discussed from northwestern China, where it has been possible to reduce animal numbers considerably by using an energy-balance/market-based approach while improving household incomes, providing conditions within which grassland recovery is possible. This bottom-up approach was supported by informing and working with the six layers of government in China to build appropriate policies. Further policy implications are considered. Additional gains in grassland rehabilitation could be fostered through targeted environmental payment schemes. Other aspects of the livestock production system that can be modified are discussed. This work built a strategy that has implications for many other grassland areas around the world where common problems apply. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace128775 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publishDateRange | 2013 |
| publishDateSort | 2013 |
| publisher | National Academy of Sciences |
| publisherStr | National Academy of Sciences |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1287752025-12-08T09:54:28Z Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits Kemp, David R. Guodong, Han Xiangyang, Hou Michalk, David L. Fujiang, Hou Jianping, Wu Yingjun, Zhang Grasslands occupy 40% of the world’s land surface (excluding Antarctica and Greenland) and support diverse groups, from traditional extensive nomadic to intense livestock-production systems. Population pressures mean that many of these grasslands are in a degraded state, particularly in less-productive areas of developing countries, affecting not only productivity but also vital environmental services such as hydrology, biodiversity, and carbon cycles; livestock condition is often poor and household incomes are at or below poverty levels. The challenge is to optimize management practices that result in “win-win” outcomes for grasslands, the environment, and households. A case study is discussed from northwestern China, where it has been possible to reduce animal numbers considerably by using an energy-balance/market-based approach while improving household incomes, providing conditions within which grassland recovery is possible. This bottom-up approach was supported by informing and working with the six layers of government in China to build appropriate policies. Further policy implications are considered. Additional gains in grassland rehabilitation could be fostered through targeted environmental payment schemes. Other aspects of the livestock production system that can be modified are discussed. This work built a strategy that has implications for many other grassland areas around the world where common problems apply. 2013-05-21 2023-02-20T17:41:19Z 2023-02-20T17:41:19Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128775 en Open Access National Academy of Sciences Kemp, David R.; Guodong, Han; Xiangyang, Hou; Michalk, David L.; Fujiang, Hou; Jianping, Wu; Yingjun, Zhang. 2013. Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits. PNAS 110(21):8369-74 |
| spellingShingle | Kemp, David R. Guodong, Han Xiangyang, Hou Michalk, David L. Fujiang, Hou Jianping, Wu Yingjun, Zhang Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| title | Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| title_full | Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| title_fullStr | Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| title_short | Innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| title_sort | innovative grassland management systems for environmental and livelihood benefits |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128775 |
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