Chinese scientists have harnessed satellite technology to map cultivated pastures across the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, an initiative set to enhance ecological protection in one of the world’s most sensitive environments. Known as the ‘roof of the world,’ the plateau’s health is crucial for global ecology.
The research team, comprised of experts from Lanzhou University, Peking University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a dataset revealing the types, distribution, and historical changes of cultivated pastures from 1988 to 2021. Their findings were recently published in the journal Earth System Science Data.
‘A systematic study on the spatial patterns of cultivated pastures on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is vital for ecological management,’ said Professor He Jinsheng of Lanzhou University, who led the study. ‘Our dataset can support sustainable grassland and animal husbandry development and contribute to ecological protection and restoration through improved livestock management.’
Cultivated pastures are areas where specific forage plants, like grasses and legumes, are deliberately sown and managed to feed grazing livestock. This contrasts with natural grasslands, which develop with minimal human intervention.
Grasslands on the plateau play essential roles in carbon storage, water and nutrient cycles, maintaining biodiversity, regulating energy balance, and supporting the livelihoods of pastoral communities. However, over recent decades, climate change and human activities have led to grassland degradation.
To address this, the research team used satellite remote-sensing data to create detailed maps of cultivated pastures in Qinghai Province and the Xizang Autonomous Region. They also conducted a three-year field study to identify the main types of cultivated pastures.
Their study showed a significant expansion of cultivated pastures between 1988 and 2021. By 2021, Qinghai and Xizang had a total of 1.57 million hectares of cultivated pastures, with Qinghai accounting for 70% and Xizang about 30%.
‘The method we’ve developed for identifying cultivated pastures can support scientific research, policymaking, ecological conservation, and grassland management,’ Professor He noted. ‘Our next step is to evaluate the ecological and environmental effects resulting from the conversion of natural grasslands to cultivated pastures.’
This innovative research underscores the potential of combining satellite technology with field studies to protect fragile ecosystems. It also highlights the importance of sustainable practices in supporting both the environment and the communities that depend on it.
