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Sustainable Rangelands Sustainable Pastoralism
in Yak Herding Areas of the Tibetan Plateau & Central Asia
International Rangeland Congress 2016 (Saskatoon, Canada) Plenary Session: High Altitude Rangelands of the World
J Marc Foggin, PhD
UNIVERSITYOF CENTRAL ASIA
Sustainable Rangelands Sustainable Pastoralismin the Greater Tibetan Plateau
High Altitude Rangelands of the World…
Sustainable Rangelands Sustainable Pastoralismin the Greater Tibetan Plateau
High Altitude Rangelands of Asia
Tibetan Plateau | Himalayan Range | Mountains of Central Asia
Tibetan wild ass (kiang)
Bar headed geese
Grey wolf
Lammergeyer
Upland buzzard
Plateau pika
Tibetan fox
Snow leopard
Wild yak
Domestic yak
Tibetan Pastoralism
Sustainability
Rangelands
Pastoralism Tibet & CA
Distribution of yak (and yak hybrids)
Plan for today…At a broad level:What is our goal?How do we get there?
— need for an enhanced model of Sustainability
And more specifically:Five key messages
(lessons learned)
Sustainable Rangelands
What is our main goal as scientists?To develop ‘perfect models’ of economic behaviour, on
the basis of well-studied rangeland ecosystems? (or)To develop (possibly ‘sub-optimal’) integrative models,
and recommend interventions that will be adopted by herders? – value of grasslands ‘richer’ than economics
Sustainable Pastoralism
Sustainable Rangelands
Sustainability = adoption of strategiesThe processes of searching for and developing sustainable
solutions may be as important as final product themselves
Adoption often requires a ‘sense of ownership’ — enhanced through local participation, ideally with a co-development of ideas, also a supportive financing & policy environment
Sustainable Pastoralism
How do we get there?
In the High Altitude Rangelands…An integrative model = multiple dimensionsEnvironmental (livestock, ecosystem services, biodiversity)
Economic (utilization of natural resources, human needs)
Social (development aspirations, incl. cultural aspects)Also must consider: local histories, culture, politics…
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability Different perspectives…
each with vastly different literatures
Different forms of pastoralismNomadism
Seasonal movements, varying from year to yearOften without any village or permanent
settlement
TranshumanceSeasonal migrations, moving to higher pastures in
summerRegular encampments, winter settlements, some
farming
… and everything in betweenPastoralism Rangelands
Sustainability
Pastoralist regions
IUCN | Ecosystem Management: World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism (WISP)
Rangelands (natural environment)Where are rangelands? What forms? What extent?What ecosystem goods and services? What value?
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
Rangelands & Wetlands
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
Climate change
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
Provisioning
SupportingCultural
Regulating
Ecosystem Services &
Human Wellbeing
Total Economic Value (TEV) ?
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
SUSTAINABILITY – an expanded synthesis!Four Pillars of
SustainabilityEconomy / developmentEnvironment / ecologySocial dimensionsCultural aspects
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
How can we achieve decisions by the resource users that are favourable both to their socioeconomic situations and their rangeland environments?
SUSTAINABILITY – an expanded synthesis
Herders’ involvement in the processes of problem identification, of research (data collection) and of solution development are certainly critical elements.
SUSTAINABILITY – an expanded synthesis with Community & Culture
Yak Husbandry Areas
Five key messages High altitude rangelands are social-ecological systemsPastoralism is one of the most sustainable food systems
in the world — particularly in marginal (semi-)arid landsVast areas of rangeland are situated in protected areas
(incl. indigenous & community conserved areas / ICCAs), which may be considered either opportunity or constraint
More participatory processes and equitable ‘access and benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocated
Adaptive governance of resources is critical, especially in the context of rapid environmental & climate change
1. Social-Ecological Systems (SES)The high altitude rangelands are coupled social-ecological systemsHumans & nature, coupled
systems, interdependence Conservation of rangelands is
premised not only on biodiversity and ecological issues per se, but also – fundamentally – on ensuring that a sustainable pastoralism is practiced, i.e. multiple human dimensions are considered
2. Sustainable Food SystemsPastoralism is one of the most sustainable food systems in the world — particularly in marginal (semi-)arid lands
Proven sustainability over decades and centuriesFlexible and responsive decision-making processesThreatened by imposition of socio-political structuresBenefits from pastoralism include ecosystem services
Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism (Davies & Hagelberg 2014)
Mobility of livestock is essential to maintain the health of dryland ecosystems
Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism
Intensive livestock systems can degrade the environment
Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism
Sustainable pastoral systems are more efficient, productive and resilient than more sedentary agricultural systems in rangelands when all factors and benefits are counted
Four often-overlooked facts about pastoralism
Pastoralism is a universal issue, as pastoralists share many environmental and economic challenges and opportunities
3. Protected Areas in High AsiaVast areas of rangeland are situated in protected areas (incl. indigenous & community conserved areas / ICCAs) - which may be considered either opportunity or constraint
4. Participatory ApproachesMore participatory processes and equitable ‘access and benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocated
4. Participatory ApproachesMore participatory processes and equitable ‘access and benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocatedCollaborative management – for environment
resources, also for education and health services
4. Participatory ApproachesHerders cooperatives for local development,
search for environmentally and socio-culturally sound solutions
4. Participatory ApproachesSustainable financing with local management
(CDRFs)
4. Participatory ApproachesGiving voice to local communities, marginalized
groups
5. Adaptive GovernanceAdaptive governance of resources is critical, especially in the context of rapid environmental & climate changePastoralism – adaptive and responsive over timeComprehensive value of rangelands and extensive
forms of pastoralism should be highlighted, awareness raised
