Effects of Grassland Eco-Protection Compensation and Reward System

Grassland ecological protection compensation and reward policy is the largest-scale investment concerning themost extensive areas since foundation of the PRC. It will be the long-term implementationpolicy for grassland ecological protection. In this study,based on macro-perspective, the policy effects ofgrasslandproductivity, ecological protection, animal husbandryoutput, pastoralists＇ income were ana- lyzed. The resultsshow that, afterimplementation of the policy, naturalgrass production and grasslandtheoretical stocking rateincreased. The averagenatural grasslandlivestockoverloading ratedecreased significantly, comprehensivenationalgrasslandvegetation coverageis increasing. Besides, adult cattleandbeef yield arefluctuated. Sheep head, adult sheep, sheep production, milk productionincreasedin varying degrees. The per capita netincomeof farmers and pastoralists, livestock income, the proportion oflivestockincomewere higher than those beforeimplementation of the policy.

Core Issues in Design of Tibetan Grassland Ecological Compensation Mechanism

Scientific grassland ecological compensation mechanism is favorable for improving the grassland ecological environment and promote the sustainable development of animal husbandry. Combined with actual situations of Tibet,this paper discussed core issues in the design of grassland ecological compensation mechanism,including compensation purpose,compensation subject,compensation object,compensation standard,and compensation method. It pointed out that the design of mechanism is a complex and systematic project. Each issue is complex and varied. The government at all levels should be cautious and make scientific treatment,and should not apply a single solution for all issues.

Responses of grazing households to different levels of payments for ecosystem services

Introduction:Payments for Ecosystem Services(PES)programs have been implemented globally to protect ecosystems while securing the well-being of affected people.Reasonable payment standards are key to successful PES programs.Although some approaches are available for determining payment standards,few studies have applied them for grassland conservation with location indicators and socioeconomic contexts properly considered.Methods:Using China’s first pilot Grassland Ecological Compensation Policy(GECP)as an example,we analyzed the effects of payment levels,other natural and socioeconomic factors on herders’willingness to participate in the GECP in Damao County in Inner Mongolia where grassland degradation is happening at an alarming rate due to overgrazing and cropland expansion.Outcomes:Our results show that households with lower herding income,older age,higher education,larger grassland areas,and worse social relationships are more inclined to participate in the GECP.Conservation payment level,as well as natural and socioeconomic contextual factors,significantly affect the response of herdsmen,and a reasonable grassland payment standard with a 95%policy compliance rate should be 8.8 yuan mu-1.Discussion and Conclusion:Our findings can inform governments to develop effective PES programs to balance the need of human well-being improvement and grassland conservation in China and beyond.