Buddhism and local cultural traditions have long protected wildlife species and their habitats in Tibetan-dominated areas of western Sichuan. In Daocheng County, the White Eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) ha...Buddhism and local cultural traditions have long protected wildlife species and their habitats in Tibetan-dominated areas of western Sichuan. In Daocheng County, the White Eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) has been afforded special protection by local people because it is conspicuous and white, a color with special symbolism for Buddhists. This and other cultural reasons have led to pheasants and forests benefiting in some areas. Pheasants were found during surveys between January 2003 and June 2004 in forests with varying degrees of local (non-formal) protection. However, there were significant signs that these traditional attitudes were changing in the face of three particular pressures brought to bear by better roads, improving access to and from the rest of China. The first was the development of a significant local demand for the Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinesis), which is much sought after throughout East Asia and mushrooms. Second, and more recent, is a dramatic increase in tourism from major Chinese cities, bringing non-Tibetan values into Daocheng County and changing the local attitudes to all animals. And then, there is a rise in income of the local population, resulting in a higher timber demand for building big houses, which impact all wildlife in the forest, but local attitudes to sacred forests have been retained so far in spite of this increased timber demand. Lessons should be learnt from the impact that unregulated tourism at Chonggu monastery, the most visited area in the county, has on the surrounding forests so that other sacred and non-sacred forests can best be protected for the long term. The alternative is that several Tibetan Plateau Galliformes, currently considered non-threatened because of their extensive distribution in a remote area, cannot be guaranteed such a healthy future.展开更多
The paper scrutinizes that the changes in any sub-system(i.e.agriculture,livestock and forest) have direct impact on biophysical and social processes in village ecosystem of the central Himalayan region.In view of thi...The paper scrutinizes that the changes in any sub-system(i.e.agriculture,livestock and forest) have direct impact on biophysical and social processes in village ecosystem of the central Himalayan region.In view of this,we studied the changes in spatial patterns of agricultural land use and dependency of agroecosystem on forest and animal husbandry over a period of two decades.Based on data analysis it was found that the cultivation of some traditional crops has either been abandoned in the area or declined by 25%-85% due to introduction of cash crops viz.,potato,kidney bean and apple farming with acreage increased up to 51%-72% in the last three decades.Livestock population of different categories has declined drastically by 17%-75%,and has resulted shortage of farmyard manure,deterioration of soil quality and fertility which leads to un-sustainability of agriculture system.The changes in agrobiodiversity have led to the dramatic increase in soil loss and runoff from the croplands together with the increase pressure on forests.The economic evaluation of each crop showed higher monetary benefit from cash crops as compared to traditional crops.Among all the evaluated crops,the monetary output/input ratio was found highest(3.04) for kidney bean and lowest(1.26) for paddy.Changes in land use and management have improved household income but at the cost of forest degradation,less productive animal husbandry and loss of agrodiversity in the region.Therefore,there is an urgent need to bring desirable changes in agricultural policy,research,land use and efficient management of the resources for maintaining sustainability in agro and Himalayan forest ecosystem.展开更多
The reproduction rate of Equus przewalskii in this study increased from year to year showing that the wild horses have already felt comfortable in the new environment and became acclimatized successfully. Of the mares...The reproduction rate of Equus przewalskii in this study increased from year to year showing that the wild horses have already felt comfortable in the new environment and became acclimatized successfully. Of the mares which were born in Hustai National Park and successfully reached reproductive age, 24.7% first gave birth at age 3 and 55.6% of them first gave birth at age 4. The most effective age range within the breeding population was 5 to 15, 25%-89% of them giving birth and an average during 2002-2011 of 72.9%. Of the Przewalski's horses which died, 65% were foals, 9.4% subadult male, 7.7% subadult female, 7.2% adult male and 10.6% were adult females. Causes of mortality differed by age and sex although wolf attacks accounted for the predominant number of deaths among foals and subadults. Stallions usually died of bad condition and injuries but parturition problems were common causes of death among mares. The mortality rate of foals (40% in 1993-2011) is a matter of great concern since foals born in Hustai National Park are the only gain component now after the active reintroduction period came to an end. A total of 109 foals were killed by wolves in 1993-2011 but 52% of them were younger than one month.展开更多
Urban forestry is understood to be the management of trees and forests in urban areas. It yieldsmany environmental and material benefits. In Sabah, the environmental services of urban forestry are moreimportant than m...Urban forestry is understood to be the management of trees and forests in urban areas. It yieldsmany environmental and material benefits. In Sabah, the environmental services of urban forestry are moreimportant than material products. The potential of practising urban forestry in various zones and underdifferent land ownership is evaluated. As urbanisation has occurred recently in Sabah, urban forestry hasonly been practised to a limited extent. Tourism is an economic sector which has gained prominence in recentyears and has huge growth potential. With the numerous environmental services provided by urban forestryto make urban areas more inhabitable, the increasing tourism activities necessitate intensification of urbanforestry activities. The main urban centres contain many tourist attractions, and are also the gateways tomany other ecotourist destinations located throughout Sabah. With tourism high on the development agendain Sabah, urban forestry needs to be promoted so that both locals and visitors can enjoy the numerous social,environmental and economic benefits.展开更多
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30800101)the Chicago Zoological Society, the World Pheasant Association and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership FundPeter Garson (Chair,WPA-IUCN Pheasant Specialist Group) provided constructive advice on the work and helped facilitate financial support
文摘Buddhism and local cultural traditions have long protected wildlife species and their habitats in Tibetan-dominated areas of western Sichuan. In Daocheng County, the White Eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) has been afforded special protection by local people because it is conspicuous and white, a color with special symbolism for Buddhists. This and other cultural reasons have led to pheasants and forests benefiting in some areas. Pheasants were found during surveys between January 2003 and June 2004 in forests with varying degrees of local (non-formal) protection. However, there were significant signs that these traditional attitudes were changing in the face of three particular pressures brought to bear by better roads, improving access to and from the rest of China. The first was the development of a significant local demand for the Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinesis), which is much sought after throughout East Asia and mushrooms. Second, and more recent, is a dramatic increase in tourism from major Chinese cities, bringing non-Tibetan values into Daocheng County and changing the local attitudes to all animals. And then, there is a rise in income of the local population, resulting in a higher timber demand for building big houses, which impact all wildlife in the forest, but local attitudes to sacred forests have been retained so far in spite of this increased timber demand. Lessons should be learnt from the impact that unregulated tourism at Chonggu monastery, the most visited area in the county, has on the surrounding forests so that other sacred and non-sacred forests can best be protected for the long term. The alternative is that several Tibetan Plateau Galliformes, currently considered non-threatened because of their extensive distribution in a remote area, cannot be guaranteed such a healthy future.
基金TSBF/GEP/UNEP and DST(SSD) for partial financial support
文摘The paper scrutinizes that the changes in any sub-system(i.e.agriculture,livestock and forest) have direct impact on biophysical and social processes in village ecosystem of the central Himalayan region.In view of this,we studied the changes in spatial patterns of agricultural land use and dependency of agroecosystem on forest and animal husbandry over a period of two decades.Based on data analysis it was found that the cultivation of some traditional crops has either been abandoned in the area or declined by 25%-85% due to introduction of cash crops viz.,potato,kidney bean and apple farming with acreage increased up to 51%-72% in the last three decades.Livestock population of different categories has declined drastically by 17%-75%,and has resulted shortage of farmyard manure,deterioration of soil quality and fertility which leads to un-sustainability of agriculture system.The changes in agrobiodiversity have led to the dramatic increase in soil loss and runoff from the croplands together with the increase pressure on forests.The economic evaluation of each crop showed higher monetary benefit from cash crops as compared to traditional crops.Among all the evaluated crops,the monetary output/input ratio was found highest(3.04) for kidney bean and lowest(1.26) for paddy.Changes in land use and management have improved household income but at the cost of forest degradation,less productive animal husbandry and loss of agrodiversity in the region.Therefore,there is an urgent need to bring desirable changes in agricultural policy,research,land use and efficient management of the resources for maintaining sustainability in agro and Himalayan forest ecosystem.
文摘The reproduction rate of Equus przewalskii in this study increased from year to year showing that the wild horses have already felt comfortable in the new environment and became acclimatized successfully. Of the mares which were born in Hustai National Park and successfully reached reproductive age, 24.7% first gave birth at age 3 and 55.6% of them first gave birth at age 4. The most effective age range within the breeding population was 5 to 15, 25%-89% of them giving birth and an average during 2002-2011 of 72.9%. Of the Przewalski's horses which died, 65% were foals, 9.4% subadult male, 7.7% subadult female, 7.2% adult male and 10.6% were adult females. Causes of mortality differed by age and sex although wolf attacks accounted for the predominant number of deaths among foals and subadults. Stallions usually died of bad condition and injuries but parturition problems were common causes of death among mares. The mortality rate of foals (40% in 1993-2011) is a matter of great concern since foals born in Hustai National Park are the only gain component now after the active reintroduction period came to an end. A total of 109 foals were killed by wolves in 1993-2011 but 52% of them were younger than one month.
文摘Urban forestry is understood to be the management of trees and forests in urban areas. It yieldsmany environmental and material benefits. In Sabah, the environmental services of urban forestry are moreimportant than material products. The potential of practising urban forestry in various zones and underdifferent land ownership is evaluated. As urbanisation has occurred recently in Sabah, urban forestry hasonly been practised to a limited extent. Tourism is an economic sector which has gained prominence in recentyears and has huge growth potential. With the numerous environmental services provided by urban forestryto make urban areas more inhabitable, the increasing tourism activities necessitate intensification of urbanforestry activities. The main urban centres contain many tourist attractions, and are also the gateways tomany other ecotourist destinations located throughout Sabah. With tourism high on the development agendain Sabah, urban forestry needs to be promoted so that both locals and visitors can enjoy the numerous social,environmental and economic benefits.