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Adapting to change: transitions in traditional rangeland management of Tibetan yak herders in northwest Yunnan

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  • Michelle Haynes
  • Yongping Yang

Abstract

Tibetan yak herding practices in northwest Yunnan, southwest China have maintained remarkable biological diversity. To learn more about local cultural adaptation to policy changes, we interviewed 37 households in Deqin County on their traditional knowledge, and the changes they have observed in ecological conditions, livestock health, and land management. These villages varied in proximity to main roads, farmland quality, and livelihood options. Herd sizes in Deqin have quadrupled since the 1950s, due to commune era policies and subsequent privatization of livestock. The practice of burning shrubs increased during the communal period but has since decreased due to a burn ban. Herders report that the increase in shrublands invading alpine meadows has reduced livestock forage, reducing the productivity of alpine rangelands and yak health. Butter production has declined by 30 % over the last two decades. Herders are shifting to diversify sources of income when available, but villagers in remote and protected areas continue to depend on livestock for much of their livelihood. Scientific data confirm herder reported ecological changes including increased temperature, decreased snowfall, and accounts of increased erosion (which deserves further study). Climate, policy, and economic incentives have interacted to increase pressure on shrinking alpine meadows and reduce dairy production. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle Haynes & Yongping Yang, 2013. "Adapting to change: transitions in traditional rangeland management of Tibetan yak herders in northwest Yunnan," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1065-1077, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:15:y:2013:i:4:p:1065-1077
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-012-9426-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark Buntaine & Renée Mullen & James Lassoie, 2007. "Human use and conservation planning in Alpine areas of Northwestern Yunnan, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 305-324, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michelle Haynes & King-Jau Kung & Jodi Brandt & Yang Yongping & Donald Waller, 2014. "Accelerated climate change and its potential impact on Yak herding livelihoods in the eastern Tibetan plateau," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 123(2), pages 147-160, March.
    2. Saranjam M. Baig & Aftab A. Khan & Amjad Ali & Muhammad Zafar Khan & Sultan Ahmed & Ghulam M. Shah & Ghulam Ali, 2021. "Enhancing socioeconomic resilience and climate adaptation through value chain development of mountain products in Hindu Kush Himalayas," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 8451-8473, June.
    3. Srijana Joshi & Lily Shrestha & Neha Bisht & Ning Wu & Muhammad Ismail & Tashi Dorji & Gauri Dangol & Ruijun Long, 2020. "Ethnic and Cultural Diversity amongst Yak Herding Communities in the Asian Highlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Jianchu Xu & R. Grumbine, 2014. "Integrating local hybrid knowledge and state support for climate change adaptation in the Asian Highlands," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 93-104, May.

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