Plenary Lecture: Sustainable Rangelands, Sustainable Pastoralism in Yak Herding Areas of the Tibetan Plateau & Central Asia.
Delivered by Marc Foggin at the "10th International Rangeland Congress: The Future Management of Grazing and Wild Lands in a High-Tech World." Session on Range and Forage of High Latitudes and Altitudes. Conference held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, on 16-22 July 2016.
The Mariana Trench remarkable geological features on Earth.pptx
Sustainable Pastoralism on the Tibetan Plateau
1. 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
UNIVERSITY
OF CENTRALASIA
24. 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)
25. 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
26. Sustainable Rangelands
Sustainability = adoption of strategies
The 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
28. In the High Altitude Rangelands…
An integrative model = multiple dimensions
Environmental (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
29. Different forms of pastoralism
Nomadism
Seasonal movements, varying from year to year
Often without any village or permanent settlement
Transhumance
Seasonal migrations, moving to higher pastures in summer
Regular encampments, winter settlements, some farming
… and everything in between
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
31. Rangelands
(natural environment)
Where are rangelands? What forms? What extent?
What ecosystem goods and services? What value?
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
37. SUSTAINABILITY
– an expanded synthesis!
Four Pillars of Sustainability
Economy / development
Environment / ecology
Social dimensions
Cultural aspects
Pastoralism Rangelands Sustainability
38. 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
39. 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
41. Five key messages
High altitude rangelands are social-ecological systems
Pastoralism is one of the most sustainable food systems
in the world — particularly in marginal (semi-)arid lands
Vast 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
42. 1. Social-Ecological Systems (SES)
The high altitude rangelands are
coupled social-ecological systems
Humans & 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
43. 2. Sustainable Food Systems
Pastoralism is one of the most sustainable food systems
in the world — particularly in marginal (semi-)arid lands
Proven sustainability over decades and centuries
Flexible and responsive decision-making processes
Threatened by imposition of socio-political structures
Benefits from pastoralism include ecosystem services
44. Four often-overlooked facts
about pastoralism (Davies & Hagelberg 2014)
Mobility of livestock is essential to maintain the health of
dryland ecosystems
46. 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
47. Four often-overlooked facts
about pastoralism
Pastoralism is a universal issue, as pastoralists share many
environmental and economic challenges and opportunities
48. 3. Protected Areas in High Asia
Vast areas of rangeland are situated in protected areas
(incl. indigenous & community conserved areas / ICCAs) -
which may be considered either opportunity or constraint
49.
50. 4. Participatory Approaches
More participatory processes and equitable ‘access and
benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocated
51. 4. Participatory Approaches
More participatory processes and equitable ‘access and
benefit sharing’ approaches should be advocated
Collaborative management – for environment resources,
also for education and health services
52. 4. Participatory Approaches
Herders cooperatives for local development, search for
environmentally and socio-culturally sound solutions
55. 5. Adaptive Governance
Adaptive governance of resources is critical, especially in
the context of rapid environmental & climate change
Pastoralism – adaptive and responsive over time
Comprehensive value of rangelands and extensive forms
of pastoralism should be highlighted, awareness raised
56. Dr J Marc Foggin marc.foggin@ucentralasia.org
foggin@plateauperspectives.org
UNIVERSITY
OF CENTRALASIA