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Rangeland Degradation in North China Revisited? A Preliminary Statistical Analysis to Validate Non-Equilibrium Range Ecology

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  • P. Ho

Abstract

Over the past decades, the concepts of carrying capacity and Clementsian vegetation succession have come under attack from the theory of Non-Equilibrium Range Ecology. The new theory hypothesises that in arid regions with high rainfall variability the ecology is mainly determined by climatic and not biotic factors, such as animal grazing. The argument carried further implies that 'rangeland degradation' or 'desertification' are not caused by overgrazing but are part of a natural process of vegetation decline and growth in response to rainfall, which ruminant numbers merely follow. Few empirical studies involving time-series data have been executed to substantiate Non-Equilibrium Range Ecology. This article, hopes to make a contribution to the current debate with a statistical validation of one of its main postulates: the correlation between ruminant numbers and rainfall. The analysis is conducted with figures from the People's Republic of China: a state in which rangeland policy is an outstanding example of management on the basis of carrying capacities and Clementsian succession theory.

Suggested Citation

  • P. Ho, 2001. "Rangeland Degradation in North China Revisited? A Preliminary Statistical Analysis to Validate Non-Equilibrium Range Ecology," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 99-133.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:37:y:2001:i:3:p:99-133
    DOI: 10.1080/00220380412331321991
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Han & Tian, Fuan & Wu, Jianxian & Nie, Xin, 2023. "Is China forest landscape restoration (FLR) worth it? A cost-benefit analysis and non-equilibrium ecological view," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed & Lulu Hou & Ruirui Yan & Xiaoping Xin & Yousif Mohamed Zainelabdeen, 2020. "The Joint Effect of Grazing Intensity and Soil Factors on Aboveground Net Primary Production in Hulunber Grasslands Meadow Steppe," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
    3. Xiao Wang & Bo Zhang & Kebin Zhang & Jinxing Zhou & Bilal Ahmad, 2015. "The Spatial Pattern and Interactions of Woody Plants on the Temperate Savanna of Inner Mongolia, China: The Effects of Alternating Seasonal Grazing-Mowing Regimes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Liu, Min & Dries, Liesbeth & Heijman, Wim & Zhu, Xueqin & Deng, Xiangzheng & Huang, Jikun, 2019. "Land tenure reform and grassland degradation in Inner Mongolia, China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 181-198.
    5. Kurian, M., 2001. "Farmer managed irrigation and governance of irrigation service delivery : analysis of experience and best practice," ISS Working Papers - General Series 19093, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.

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