Scientist’s Persuasiveness Saves Mongolian Grasslands

China

The grasslands of Inner Mongolia in northern China are seriously degraded due to overgrazing and the pressures of a growing population. In Hunshandake, herdsman and their families struggle to make a living on land that has nothing left to give. Native species have disappeared, and the loose topsoil triggers sand storms that blow to Beijing and beyond. Reversing desertification seemed impossible, but Goaming Jiang, a scientist from China, has found a way—his research shows that removing human disturbance on degraded land restores it in a matter of years. So he persuaded herdsman to stop grazing large animals like goats. Instead, they adopted chicken farming, tofu production and ecotourism, and took the pressure off the land. Chicken droppings are used to fertilize the soil.

Not only has the land improved, but the incomes of the Bayinhushu villagers have nearly doubled. Jiang has also encouraged the community to help youth find educational opportunities in the cities in a bid to allow the land time to rehabilitate and support more farmers in the future. The project spurred changes in China’s policy for grassland restoration and management. In fact, farmers who lose grasslands for ecosystem restoration are compensated. Clearly, among the poorest populations, creating alternatives to livelihoods is crucial to restoring degradation.