Short grass, bare soil and increased erosion are symptoms of an environmental blight spreading across the rolling steppes of north China, according to Charles Sturt University researcher, Rik Thwaites.
"One way of confronting the growing problem could be through a change to the current doctrines of Chinese socialism, which recently has seen increasing livestock prices and costs for local herders and permission for herders to own livestock," said Mr Thwaites, whose research has resulted in a PhD from CSU's School of Environmental and Information Sciences.
"Providing herders with a stronger role in managing the steppes and giving them assured rights to resources should contribute to a more sustainable grazing system," he said.
"Introducing a system of tradeable grazing rights on communal grazing lands would give herders access to grazing and incentive to better manage the land, as the values of grazing rights would vary with market conditions and the state of the grassland."
Mr Thwaites carried out his research over three years in the 11,000-square kilometre Xilingol Biosphere Reserve in Inner Mongolia. The Reserve, which was established with assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, contains many diverse habitats, over 650 species of flowering plants and a variety of wildlife, including the locally rare Mongolian gazelle.
The Reserve also has 200,000 people, many of whom depend on grazing sheep, goats and cattle for their livelihood. Unfortunately, it is this grazing that poses the main threat to the biodiversity and productivity of the steppes.
Mr Thwaites is one of four graduands to receive PhD degrees in environmental studies, recreation and heritage during CSU's Graduation ceremony on Friday 7 May, commencing at 2.30 pm in the Albury Convention and Performing Arts Centre, Swift St, Albury.
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