Private

FS 3.111

Conserving Tibetan and Himalayan ecosystems

Details

Full Title
FS 3.111: Degradation and conservation of Tibetan and Himalayan ecosystems: Challenges and pathways to resilience
Scheduled
TBA
Location
TBA
Convener
Yujie Niu
Co-Conveners
Andreas von Heßberg, Limin Hua,
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
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Thematic Focus
Conservation, Ecosystems, Monitoring
Keywords
climate change, land use, overgrazing, ecosystem restoration

Description

The Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan region, often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, play a vital role in global climate regulation, water resource supply, soil organic carbon storage, and harboring unique biodiversity. These high-elevation mountain ecosystems are increasingly threatened by both natural and anthropogenic factors, such as climate change, overgrazing, rodent outbreak, and unsustainable land use practices. These pressures not only jeopardize the ecological integrity of the region but also the livelihoods of millions who rely on these ecosystems for water, pasture, and other resources. This session will explore the multifaceted drivers behind Tibetan and Himalayan ecosystem degradation, exploring current state and the causes. It will cover restoration strategies for high-elevation ecosystems, including sustainable grazing and adaptive land use practices, with a focus on nature-based solutions that leverage natural processes. Traditional land management and indigenous knowledge will be highlighted as valuable complements to scientific approaches, ensuring culturally and locally accepted solutions. Case studies from the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas will showcase successful conservation initiatives, aiming to inspire science-based insights and policy recommendations that foster resilience and sustainable development in these critical mountain regions.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.5139

Assessment of Indian Himalayan peatlands: a comprehensive study to estimate the extent of peatland distribution and impact of climate change on it.

Samrat Deb
Jurasinski, Gerald; Barthelmes, Alexandra

Abstract/Description

Peatlands only cover approximately 3% of the Earth’s land area, yet they store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined. Globally distributed, peatlands are characterized by waterlogged conditions that impede the decomposition of organic matter. This results in the accumulation of peat – a carbon-rich organic material. This exceptional carbon sequestration potential positions peatlands as integral players in mitigating climate change. However, this is increasingly threatened by climate change. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Especially thawing permafrost is a looming threat as it accelerates the release of stored carbon, further contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Indian peatlands especially in the Himalayan region are an underexplored domain. Thus this research plans to investigate how changing climatic conditions affect peatland ecosystems. The objective is to map the extent of peatlands distribution in the Himalayan region, using remote sensing analysis and ground truthing. Furthermore, it intends to examine the impact of climate change by using climatic models to simulate potential impacts and to project future scenarios, to anticipate challenges and guide the development of effective adaptation strategies. This way, the study aims to compile a comprehensive peatland database and achieve a quantification of the predicted impact of climate change on Indian Himalayan peatlands, to make the development of effective conservation strategies on the ground. The research will be supported by the Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology of Universität Greifswald, Germany.

ID: 3.5523

Pastoralism, Tourism and Mountain Ungulates in Trans-Himalaya: A Case study

Salvador Lyngdoh
Targe, Kalzang

Abstract/Description

The Trans-Himalaya region, boasts remarkable natural values, including diverse floral and faunal species such as the iconic Snow leopard, Blue Sheep and Himalayan Ibex. The resource competition between livestock and wild herbivores is investigated, with many forage species being common for both Ibex, Blue sheep and domestic ungulates. The investigations highlight growing pressures of livelihood that are becoming challenging in the landscape. The study showcases blue sheep, being more abundant than ibex, occupy distinct regions within the study area, and have a competitive advantage. Meanwhile, ibex are present in smaller numbers and are confined to a specific region. Understanding their ecological requirements, especially in harsh winters, is crucial for targeted conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of these species in a rapidly changing environment. Future research should focus on climate change impacts on habitat use and resource availability. The insights gained from this study are intended to guide conservation policy and management strategies for the conservation of the species

ID: 3.8555

Rolling Stones and Moving Forests – Exploring the Shequ Glacier at the Kawagebo West face (Southeast Tibet)

Andreas Von Hessberg
Schulze, Waltraud

Abstract/Description

After traveling through the steep and beautiful mountains of Southeast Tibetan plateau, we were fascinated by the unique biodiversity of this easternmost part of the Himalayas and the nearby Hengduan Shan mountain range, located at the border between Tibet and Yunnan, China. This region is one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots. In 2005 and 2009, we visited the western face of Kawagebo (Meili Xue Shan)(summit at 6740 m) and the valley of the Shequ River, including its namesake glacier, to conduct floristic and geomorphological investigations. What makes this glacier so unique are two special factors. Firstly, a thick layer of rock and soil covers its entire surface, which enables primary succession, ultimately leading to the establishment of a forest, dominated by the poplar species Populus pseudoglauca, the sea buckthorn Hippophae tibetana and a Willow (Salix spec.). Secondly, the glacier flows in a narrow valley (direct sunlight only from midday onwards) from 3600 m a.s.l. down to the subtropical climate zone (the end of the glacier is at 2950 m a.s.l.). Through tree ring analyses, we determined that the maximum age of trees growing on the glacier is 60 years. Within the 5 to 6 km long glacier, several vegetation islands have formed, supporting forest growth. However, due to the glacier’s dynamic movements over a highly structured subsurface, several dead zones (crevasses) exist, beyond which these forests cannot survive. The densest and oldest forests are found near the glacier’s melting edge (terminus), where this “moving forest” reaches its final boundary.

ID: 3.9423

Forest maturation and its drivers on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

Lin Zhang
Wang, Yuxi

Abstract/Description

Woodlands in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau contain China’s largest intact forest ecosystems and, as other high-elevation systems in the region, are threatened by climate change and human disturbance. Despite their importance for ecological conservation and sustainable management, few studies have explored the long-term trajectories of these Plateau forests, their main drivers and threats. To address this gap, we analyzed forest distribution area and age-group structure dynamics of three typical functional forest types (broadleaved, pine, and mixed spruce-fir forests) using 1973–2018 forest inventory data from over 80,000 ground-based sample plots and multi-temporal remote sensing (NDVI) data. We then evaluated the relative effects of climate change and human influence (mostly afforestation programs) on forest dynamics. Based on field surveys, an optimized Maximum Entropy model predicted the habitats suitable for the different forest groups under current and future climate scenarios. Our results showed a dual increase in both, forest area and plant biomass, over the past five decades, dominated by mature forest stands, while the proliferation in young and middle-aged stands improved age-group structural balance. After 1998, the spruce-fir forest area and biomass temporarily declined and broad-leaved and pine forests expanded. Remote sensing data analysis confirmed an overall increase in forest NDVI, but still 47.39 % of forest pixels showed browning trends. Climate change increasingly influenced forest growth, with the minimum temperature of the coldest month iden-tified as a key constraint on tree distribution. Climate projections showed suitable habitat expansion for all forest types, relative to the present, with broadleaved forests showing greater resistance to warming. However, by the late 21st century, suitable habitat areas decreased under both low and high-emission scenarios. Our data evidence the response of forests to combined impacts of climate change and distrubances, and emphasize the need to assist sustainable management programs of subalpine forests with solid scientific data under global climate change.

ID: 3.9440

Future Conflicts on the Horizon: Anthropogenic Pressure May Drive Himalayan Bears into Human Habitation in the Greater Himalayas

Amar Paul Singh

Abstract/Description

Human-wildlife conflict is a significant management challenge in India. Therefore, present study examines human-bear conflict in the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, of Greater Himalayan range, revealed complex interactions between local communities and bears. Although conflicts are minimal in villages and forest fringes, livestock grazing within the sanctuary has led to brown bears being identified as the primary predators, with peak attacks occurring from May to November. Conversely, human attacks have only been reported involving black bears. While local perceptions largely support bear conservation; however, herders express dissatisfaction due to economic losses from livestock predation. The analysis shows that high-conflict zones with black bears correlate with human encroachment near village edges, whereas brown bear conflicts are more frequent in higher-altitude regions. Intensive camera trapping also highlighted the high livestock pressure within the sanctuary as a potential threat to bear populations and how the anthropogenic pressure in the sanctuary is impacting their activities. Significant livestock presence exacerbates human-bear conflicts and places considerable strain on the sanctuary’s ecosystems. Despite the substantial pressure, bears have largely abstained from venturing into villages. This behavior suggested that sanctuary remains a sustainable habitat for their survival. However, it raises critical questions about the threshold of livestock pressure that bears can tolerate before they are forced to seek alternative food sources. Thus, for developing effective management strategies to prevent potential conflicts and ensure the long-term sustainability of bear populations within sanctuary local stakeholders must be actively involved in developing conservation strategies that address their concerns about economic losses. In spite of these anthropogenic pressures, bears have largely abstained from venturing into human habitations. This may suggest that sanctuary area is a sustainable habitat for the survival of both bear species. However, this study further raising a critical question about the threshold of anthropogenic pressure that bears can tolerate before they are forced to seek alternative food sources. Therefore, to ensure the long-term sustainability of bears and to prevent human-bear conflicts, there is an urgent need for developing effective management strategies where local stakeholders must be actively involved.

ID: 3.10472

Optimization of protected areas on the Tibetan plateau under climate change

Xiaofei Hu
Beierkuhnlein, Carl; Ni, Jian

Abstract/Description

The protected areas on the Tibetan Plateau play an important role in conserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. However, studies on climate-adaptative planning within these protected areas remain limited. This study integrates species distribution models, ecosystem service models and systematic conservation planning tools, based on species distribution database and vegetation data of the Tibetan Plateau. We expect and find biodiversity hotspots and climate refugia to optimize the current protected area network and maintain ecosystem integrity. The results showed that the Tibetan Plateau currently had 405 protected areas, covering 74.84% of its temperature-precipitation space types. Nearly 10 % of the existing protected areas would suffer from rapid climate change in the future, leading to climate space loss in current protected areas by more than 20 %. The gap analysis showed that current protected areas covered partly species richness hotspots across various taxa, including 17.99% of Actinopterygii, 36.70% of Aves, 36.54% of Reptilia, 23.12% of Insecta, 61.75% of Mammalia, 54.88% of Malacostraca, 9.59% of Amphibia, 34.78% of Gastropoda, 34.78% of Bivalvia, and 26.92% of vascular plants. To address these gaps, some key areas are recommended for adjustments or new protected areas, including the southwestern region of the Qilian Mountains and the northwestern gap region. This study highlights the necessity of incorporating climate change into planning of protected areas and provides references for ecosystem conservation of the plateau.

ID: 3.10980

Knowing drought response of forest ecosystems in remote mountain regions: A Throughfall-Exclusion Experiment to Simulate Monsoon Failure in the Bhutan Himalayas

Georg Gratzer
Norbu, Wangdi; Mathias, Mayer; Mani Prasad, Nirola; Karma, Orong; Norbu, Zangmo; Andreas, Schindlbacher

Abstract/Description

The Himalayas are located in a region that is part of one of the tipping points of the Earth’s climate system, with the South Asian summer monsoon providing water resources for the livelihoods of over a fifth of the world’s population. Although there is a high degree of uncertainty in future precipitation scenarios, models collectively suggest that climate change could make the Asian summer monsoon increasingly variable in time and space, and that the likelihood of extreme events, such as failure of the summer monsoon and subsequent extreme drought, could increase by the end of the 21st century. Despite the critical role of this climate system, little is known about the consequences of changing precipitation patterns or even monsoon failures. This follows a global knowledge divide with huge inequalities in the scientific studies leading to the development of informed adaptation measures. Studies and experiments are concentrated in rich countries and almost non-existent in poor countries. In this presentation, we discuss the challenges of implementing a throughfall-exclusion (TFE) experiment to simulate monsoon failure in the Bhutan Himalayas, and present results in terms of the response of eastern Himalayan forests to future droughts. We established 30×25 m roofs in two representative forest types of Bhutan, a mixed oak forest at 2650 m asl and a mixed conifer forest at 3250 m asl.. With the experimental setup, we were not able to simulate monsoon failure, most likely due to roof removal in winter and foliar water uptake during vegetation periods. Throughfall exclusion did not cause tree mortality, stem increment only showed reductions in the third year, with Tsuga dumosa being most affected (-60%). Fine root biomass stocks were little affected by TFE. Increased root necromass and faster fine root growth in the lower elevation forest suggest that the oaks increased belowground C allocation. Soil CO2 efflux decreased significantly in both forests during all three TFE years. Aboveground litter input was unaffected by TFE until the second treatment year. Overall, both forest ecosystems appeared highly resistant to the imposed moderate soil drying, with no signs of tree mortality and stable living root biomass stocks.

ID: 3.11390

Glacier Ecosystem Services and Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation in the Hindukush- Karakoram-Himalayan (HKH) Region

Zafar Iqbal
Tasleem, Sehar; Iqbal, Zafar

Abstract/Description

Glaciers in the Hindukush- Karakoram-Himalayan (HKH) region are the lifeblood of those who live downstream through water provisioning, hydropower generation, agricultural purposes and ecosystem stability. These glaciers moderates streamflow, guaranteeing their availability for irrigation and domestic purposes year-round, and hold great cultural and spiritual significance for the peoples living in their vicinity. However, climate change-driven glacier retreat is rapidly modifying such services, representing monumental threats to water security, food production, and biodiversity in high-altitude and downstream zones alike. This study scrutinizes projected impacts of glacier loss on Glacier Ecosystem Services (GES) in the region with a focus on changes in meltwater availability, hydrological changes, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. Adopting an integrated methodology involving remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and qualitative assessments of local adaptation strategies, we analyze the cascading effect of glacier retreat on livelihoods, agriculture, and regional economies. Case studies introduced from glacier-dependent communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral elaborate how traditional water-sharing systems and indigenous adaptation strategies have been altered in tandem with the changing dynamic of glaciers. With glaciers at unprecedented melting rates, the growing desperation emphasizes the need for developing adaptive and transformative responses that allow the enhancement of resilience in glacier-fed systems. The study will contribute to interdisciplinary dialogues on sustainable water resource management, climate adaptation policies, and the role of indigenous knowledge in mitigating the socio-economic impacts of glacier loss. Understanding this ever-changing interaction is imperative for enhancing the long-term sustainability of glacier-dependent socio-ecological systems from the Himalayan-Karakoram region.

ID: 3.11976

Perceptions of nature’s contributions to people across an elevational gradient in Eastern Nepal

Biraj Adhikari
Valérie Schenk, Noëlle; Chettri, Nakul; Fisher, Markus; W. Prescott, Graham; Urbach, Davnah

Abstract/Description

Nepal, nested within the Hindu Kush Himalayas, faces mounting challenges from land-use change, overexploitation of natural resources, and climate change. These pressures are driving a decline in biodiversity and its related contributions to people. International frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are established to address these issues. But they also risk generalized, top-down approaches to conservation that overlook local priorities, leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and resistance to ecological transitions. To understand the importance of community perspectives in developing context-driven conservation strategies that effectively bridge global goals and local realities, we examined how local communities perceive nature’s contributions to their wellbeing along an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal. We conducted 320 semi-structured household surveys to explore the material, non-material, and regulating contributions of nature (NCP) to human wellbeing and examine how geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors shape people’s perceptions of NCP. Our results revealed that while respondents broadly acknowledged nature as integral to their wellbeing, the strength and character of this connection were highly context-specific. Higher-elevation mountain communities, whose lives and livelihoods were more intricately linked with nature, reported more positive perceptions, reflecting their greater reliance on NCP. Conversely, inhabitants residing in the lower elevation plains where human-elephant conflicts are frequent, exhibited comparatively more negative attitudes. Furthermore, formal levels of education, socioeconomic status, and gender also shaped perceptions of nature’s contributions to wellbeing, influencing how people value and interact with the environment. These insights point to the need for holistic conservation strategies that move beyond dominant forms of conservation focused solely on habitat preservation to a more comprehensive approach that supports various NCP simultaneously. Taken together with previous evidence from the same region for the importance of a people-focused and contextualized approach to sustainable development and for tight links between NCPs and sustainability, our work emphasizes the need for context-sensitive, integrated approaches to socio-ecological transitions that not only safeguard biodiversity but also enhance human wellbeing.

ID: 3.12147

Cracking Kobresia ecosystems of the Tibetan plateau

Yujie Niu
Jentsch, Anke; Hua, Limin

Abstract/Description

The eastern Tibetan plateau hosts the world’s largest pastoral alpine ecosystem, shaped by low temperatures and livestock grazing, forming unique felty turfs dominated by Kobresia species, hereafter referred to as the Kobresia ecosystem. In recent decades, widespread degradation has pushed many areas beyond ecological thresholds due to climate change and overgrazing. Polygonal turf cracks, an early sign of degradation, may accelerate turf destruction and soil erosion, especially under continued livestock trampling. These cracks are widespread from the Qilian Mountains to the Himalayas, mainly on the Kobresia ecosystem. Conventional wisdom assumes that turf cracking is mainly governed by natural freezing and drying. However, evidence suggests that overgrazing may trigger turf cracking by reducing vegetation cover and increasing soil compaction. Yet, the relative roles of climate-driven processes and grazing in impacting turf cracking remain poorly understood. Linking patch dynamics and plant functional traits to emerging disturbance theory, future work should focus on the nonlinear responses of plant communities in Kobresia ecosystems facing collapse.

ID: 3.12395

The Wild West of the Tibetan Plateau (Chang Tang)

Andreas Von Hessberg

Abstract/Description

The session about “Degradation and Conservation of Tibetan and Himalayan Ecosystems” will be introduced by a short movie about the beauty and wild vast landscape of the Chang Tang, the west and central part of the Tibetan plateau, which rise about an average altitude of 5,000 meters. Spanning nearly one million square kilometres, this region is described as a high-mountain desert, with less precipitation and sparse grassland vegetation. One of the last untouched wilderness areas on Earth, it features vast river systems, countless shimmering blue salt lakes, many towering 6,000-meter peaks, huge migrating wild ungulates, and a very low number of Tibetan nomads with their livestock.

ID: 3.12687

Grazing reduced vegetation biomass and root nutrition related to plateau zokor creating mounds in summer on the Tibetan Plateau

Bin Chu
Hua, Limin; Niu, Yujie

Abstract/Description

The plateau zokor is an endemic, subterranean rodent native to the Tibetan Plateau. Its burrowing activity results in numerous bare mounds on the ground. These mounds interfere with plant community succession, affect carbon sequestration, reduce grazing areas, and intensify soil erosion, thus serving as key visual indicators of the zokor’s ecological disturbances. Conventional views suggest that zokors primarily dig tunnels and then create mounds for mating and food storage in spring and autumn, respectively. Consequently, former studies have focused on mound creations only during these two periods. However, we found that plateau zokors also create mounds during the summer in the summer pastures. We designed experiments to investigate the environmental variables associated with this summer mound-creating phenomenon, and the results indicate that this behaviour is closely related to reduced vegetation biomass and nutrition in summer pastures. We further assessed the nutrition of plants and discovered that increasing mounding activity by zokors in summer corresponds with a decline in plant root quality, including reductions in crude protein, fats, and sugars, as well as fiber contents. Utilizing a random forest model, we found that the decrease in crude protein in plant roots as the principal factor influencing zokor mound creation in summer. These findings offer important insights for developing adaptive management strategies for alpine grasslands and assessing the environmental impact of the plateau zokor in alignment with the different grazing regimes.

ID: 3.12688

Change Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Grassland Degradation in Adjacent Areas of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and Suggestions for Grassland Restoration

Yajiao Zhao
林, 刚

Abstract/Description

Natural grasslands are being progressively degraded around the world due to climate change and socioeconomic factors. Most of the drivers, processes, and consequences of grassland degradation are studied separately, and it is not yet clear whether the change characteristics and influence factors of adjacent areas of grassland are identical. We analyzed changes in grassland area and quality, and the influences of climate changes and socioeconomic factors from 1980–2018 in Maqu County, Xiahe County and Luqu County on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). We found that areas with high and medium coverage grassland in Maqu County and Luqu County decreased continuously with time, while low coverage grassland areas increased in three counties. In Xiahe County, the medium coverage grassland area reduced with time (except for 2010), while the high and low coverage grassland areas increased. The actual net primary productivity of the three counties showed a downward trend. In Maqu County, the total grassland area had an extremely significant positive correlation with number of livestock going to market, commodity rate, gross domestic product (GDP), primary industry, tertiary industry, household density, and levels of junior middle school education and university education in the area. In Luqu County, the total grassland area high coverage grassland area were significantly negatively correlated with total number of livestock, secondary industry, levels of primary school education, and temperature. Ecological education was positively correlated with high coverage grassland, and negatively correlated with low coverage grassland in all three areas. The results of this study suggest that the best ways to restore the area and quality of grasslands in these areas would be to reduce the local cultivated land area and slow down the development of the primary and tertiary industries in Maqu County, and to control industry development and the total number of livestock in Luqu County. This study also suggests that improving education level and strengthening the level of ecological education are conducive to the restoration of grasslands.

ID: 3.12696

Dynamics of Land-Use/Land-Cover Change in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India

Bindhy Wasini Pandey
Saransh, Saransh; Ambrish, Ambrish

Abstract/Description

The tourism industry in Ladakh experienced significant growth after 1974, leading to an indiscriminate transformation in Ladakh’s LU/LC pattern through various activities, such as expanding agricultural land to support the increasing demand for vegetables and fruits and infrastructure development (guest houses and hotels) for tourists. Recognizing these LU/LC changes is crucial for prospective Nubra Valley land management planning. The present analysis utilizes geospatial techniques for mapping and monitoring the LU/LC changes in the Nubra Valley watershed, Ladakh, from 1992 to 2023. The Landsat series multispectral satellite images were used to classify the five major LU/LC categories: barren land, built-up, snow cover, vegetation and water bodies. The supervised classification technique with a maximum likelihood approach was used to classify the satellite image. The accuracy assessment of LU/LC was evaluated using the error matrix and kappa coefficient. The overall accuracy and kappa accuracy of classified images was 88.24% and 84.86% in 1992, 94.62% and 93.05% in 2009, and 98.81% and 98.46% in 2023, respectively. Results reveal that from 1992 to 2023, LU/LC change detection analysis shows that class vegetation, built-up, and barren land have increased by 3.13%, 0.37%, and 0.07%, respectively, from 1992 to 2023. Other classes, such as snow cover and waterbodies, decreased by 3.77% and 0.09%, respectively, from 1992 to 2023. Thus, this study envisions that the results might deliver details to decision-makers for better sustainable land management and utilisation of natural resources.

ID: 3.12709

Non-consumptive Predation Risk Limits Plateau Pika Density through Trophic and Behavioral Cascades, Contributing to Vegetation Restoration on the Tibetan Plateau

Limin Hua
Zhou, Rui; Hua, Rui; Chu, Bing

Abstract/Description

In natural ecosystems, animals play dual roles as both predators and prey, facing predation risk throughout their life cycles. The cascading effects of predators within ecosystems primarily impact prey through both consumptive and non-consumptive interactions. Predators can indirectly enhance plant performance by suppressing small herbivores, with both direct consumption and indirect changes in prey traits (e.g., alterations in foraging behavior) contributing to a reduction in small herbivore population density. We conducted two field experiments to assess the extent of these non-consumptive effects, simulating predation risk and comparing it with a no-predation risk control. We systematically evaluated the impacts of non-consumptive effects at the behavioral, population, and food web levels in experimental mesocosms. At the behavioral level, non-consumptive effects significantly reduced foraging time in low-density populations and increased concealment behavior but had no significant effect on high-density populations. At the population level, the density of the low-density population exposed to non-consumptive effects was significantly lower than that of the non-predation risk group. At the food web level, non-consumptive effects significantly reduced the impact of plateau pikas on plant dominance, diversity, and biomass in low-density areas. Additionally, the vegetation’s response to non-consumptive effects varied significantly with different population densities of plateau pikas. We conclude that through trophic and behavioral cascades, non-consumptive effects limit low population density of plateau pikas, reducing their consumption of vegetation and thereby increasing vegetation biomass.

ID: 3.13012

Ecosystem Services Across Altitudes: Rethinking Resilience and Conservation in the Himalayas

Mansi Singal

Abstract/Description

The Himalayas are vital ecosystems that support millions of people, providing a plethora of essential services. Resource extraction, land-use changes, and climate change are putting increasing pressure on these landscapes. The spatial variability of ecosystem functions across altitudinal gradients is often overlooked in conservation efforts, historically focused on biophysical assessments and broad-scale governance approaches. Given region’s ecological and climatic transitions, a static, one-size-fits-all conservation strategy is inadequate, there is an urgent need to develop altitude-sensitive conservation models that integrate ecological processes with localized governance structures. The uneven distribution and availability of different ecosystem services across different altitudes leads to differing dependencies and differing vulnerabilities among communities. To ensure that governance models represent needs of Himalayan ecosystems and communities, this paper suggests an altitude-sensitive conservation strategy that combines scientific research and local knowledge. It is motivated by the work of scholars like Ostrom and ideas of polycentric governance and explores how decentralized, flexible conservation frameworks can enhance ecological resilience, community participation and how conservation strategies can be better tailored to local realities. It recognizes Himalayas as diverse social-ecological systems and based on that promotes a multi-scale governance approach. The lack of integration between governance models and ecological assessments is a major research gap. While scientific studies focus on ecosystem changes, and policies emphasize conservation targets, there is often a disconnect between the two. Recognizing the role of local communities as stewards of these landscapes, this paper advocates for a governance model that blends scientific data and traditional ecological knowledge. Collaborative decision-making, where policymakers, scientists, and communities jointly define conservation priorities, can create more adaptive, site-specific strategies, this approach shifts the focus from rigid efforts to resilience-building, ensuring that conservation efforts are not only ecologically effective but also socially sustainable. By moving beyond static conservation models and embracing an altitudinal and socio-ecological perspective, this paper provides a foundation for designing policies that sustain both ecosystems and livelihoods in the Himalayas.

ID: 3.13465

Sustainable Land Use Strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction in Himachal Pradesh

Smit Rajshekhar Patel

Abstract/Description

The Himalayan region, also known as the Third Pole holds paramount significance for the Indian subcontinent across climate, ecology, food and water security, culture, and economy. The region faces multiple natural hazards such as landslides, flash floods, GLOFs, and earthquakes. While the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority recognizes the importance of land use in disaster management, comprehensive scientific research evaluating the relationship between regional land use change and disaster risk is lacking. Furthermore, the existing research predominantly focuses on physical aspects like geomorphology and hydrology, neglecting socio-cultural and economic drivers of land use practices at the grassroots level.This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to assess the impact of land use policies, practices, and perceptions in disaster risk in the Himalayan region, specifically Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. The district, spanning the lower and middle Himalayas, serves as a comprehensive case study due to its geographical diversity. The theoretical premise comprises climate change science, IPCC-based disaster risk assessment framework, disaster resilient spatial planning, and sustainable land management with a focus on the political ecology of land use. Methodologically, the study incorporates land use policy review, land use land cover change analysis using remote sensing data within the last three decades, mapping of land use practices and perceptions based on ethnographic methods, and documentation of local spatial interventions like stormwater drainage system, hill-cutting, and construction techniques. Results demonstrate significant linkages between land use patterns and causative factors of hazards, notably, the disruption of natural drainage patterns and deforestation leading to soil liquefaction and subsequent landslides. In light of these findings, the study proposes key strategies entailing guidelines for sustainable land use planning and practices to enhance disaster resilience. These include microzonation of land, practicing lightweight construction techniques, and developing NbS, among others. The interdisciplinary nature of this study and its focus on integrating local land management practices within the disaster risk reduction framework introduces a novel approach to disaster studies and addresses the critical need for a more holistic understanding of disaster risk in Kangra as well as the wider Indian Himalayan Region

ID: 3.13548

Livelihood Resilience Measurement and Group Differences of Ecological Migrants at Extremely High Altitude: A Case Study at Senburi Resettlement in Xizang, China

Jifei Zhang
Ouyang, Jinyi

Abstract/Description

Organized ecological relocations significantly improve the living conditions of herders at extremely high altitudes in Xizang, yet environmental changes pose challenges to sustaining their livelihoods. This study examines Senburi Resettlement, the largest high-altitude ecological relocation site in Xizang, to assess differences in livelihood resilience among migrant groups. Data were collected through questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, and a game theory combination weighting method was employed to quantitatively evaluate post-relocation livelihood resilience. A two-step clustering analysis then identified distinct migrant groups and explored their resilience patterns. (1) The average livelihood resilience score at Senburi Resettlement was 2.93, comprising buffering capacity (1.29), self-organization capacity (0.77), and learning capacity (0.86). Overall resilience remains relatively low. (2) Resilience scores varied by township: Gacuo scored the highest (2.99), followed by Cuozheqiangma (2.97) and Qiangma (2.96), while Ejiu scored the lowest (2.75). (3) The sampled households were grouped into three categories: young knowledgeable female-headed households, resource-constrained male-headed households, and affluent male-led households. The affluent male-led households displayed the highest average resilience (3.50), followed by the young knowledgeable female-headed households (3.30), while resource-constrained male-headed households had the lowest (2.43). (4) These disparities primarily arose from variations in buffering capacity. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the economic capital and skills of resource-constrained male-headed households, tapping the governance potential of young knowledgeable female-headed households, and leveraging the demonstration effect of affluent male-led households to improve overall resilience. These findings elucidate the differential livelihood resilience of high-altitude ecological migrants in Xizang and offer targeted policy recommendations for advancing sustainable livelihood development and effective resettlement management in other ecologically fragile regions.

ID: 3.13772

Monitoring Shrub Disturbances in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1990 to 2022 Using the LandTrendr Algorithm

Yuanyuan Hao

Abstract/Description

Background: This study addresses the degradation of shrub ecosystems and emphasizes the essential role that shrubs play within ecological systems. The use of advanced technological methods to swiftly and accurately capture information on shrub disturbances is crucial for preserving ecological security. Methods: Utilizing the LandTrendr temporal segmentation algorithm on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, and grounded in land cover data,we conducted dynamic monitoring of shrubland changes across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1990 to 2022. Results: From 1990 to 2022, shrub disturbances in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau covered a total area of 372.23 km², primarily concentrated in the eastern and southeastern regions, with an overall decreasing trend observed. In 1991 and 2008, disturbance areas were notably larger, accounting for 12.1% and 9.5% of the total disturbed area, respectively, while in 2006, the disturbance area was minimal, comprising only 1.1% of the total. The duration of shrub disturbances predominantly spanned 1 to 2 years, covering approximately 80% of the total disturbed area. Pixel-scale validation indicated an overall accuracy of 96%, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.93. User’s accuracy for each year surpassed 80%, and producer’s accuracy was above 70%. Conclusions: Using the LandTrendr algorithm, this study analyzed shrub disturbance occurrences and affected areas across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau over a 32-year period. Incorporating contextual data, the study identified climate, topography, and grazing as primary factors driving shrub disturbances. This research offers valuable scientific evidence and methodological references for monitoring large-scale shrub dynamics.

ID: 3.14613

Grassland bud and shoot demographic responses to single and recurrent droughts vary across an aridity gradient

Teniwu Teniwu

Abstract/Description

Clonal demographic traits play important roles in regulating community dynamics. Yet, it remains unclear how the responses of these clonal traits to drought might depend on previous drought exposure, and how drought responses vary among grasslands. We conducted a repeated drought experiment across four grasslands along an aridity gradient in the Mongolian plateau. We assessed the effects of single (precipitation reduction in 2021-2022) vs. recurrent (precipitation reduction in 2015-2018 and 2021-2022) drought on bud density, shoot density, and the ratio of bud to shoot density. Drought reduced bud density at all grasslands and shoot density at most grasslands. Drought reduced the ratio of bud-to-shoot density only in the most arid grasslands. Recurrent drought had larger negative effects than a single drought on bud density and composition of bud and shoot at only one of four grasslands, and on shoot density at two of four grasslands. Our results suggest that previous drought exposure can alter the response of plant clonal demographic traits to subsequent drought in some but not all grasslands and that responses can vary with mean climate.

ID:

China’s First Alpine Grassland Station (Tianzhu): A Platform for Ecological Research and International Collaboration

Xiaoming Bai

Abstract/Description

甘肃农业大学草原科学学院附属的天柱高山草原生态系统实验站，是中国第一所专门从事草原研究的机构，位于海拔 2,940 m 的青藏高原东部边缘的天柱藏族自治县。它由任纪周院士于 1956 年建立，是中国第一个草原研究站，已成为高寒草原研究和教育的基石。该站支持了草原分类、轮牧和生态系统评估方面的开创性贡献，并在培训数千名专业人士方面发挥了关键作用，其中包括两位院士和许多国家草原科学领导者。该站与该大学对高山草甸动力学、退化过程和气候适应的长期研究紧密结合，为生物多样性监测、生态实验和合作研究提供了重要的基础设施。它仍然是推进草原科学和支持高海拔地区可持续牧场管理的关键平台。该站热忱欢迎研究、教育和创新方面的国际合作。

ID:

China’s First Alpine Grassland Station (Tianzhu): A Platform for Ecological Research and International Collaboration

Xiaoming Bai
Hua, Limin Hua; Ran, Fu ; Chu, Bin; Yun, Fahong

Abstract/Description

The Tianzhu Alpine Grassland Ecosystem Experimental Station, affiliated with the College of Grassland Science at Gansu Agricultural University—the first institution in China dedicated to grassland research—is located at an elevation of 2,940 m in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, on the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau. Established in 1956 by Academician Jizhou Ren, it was the first grassland research station in China and has become a cornerstone of alpine grassland research and education. The station has supported pioneering contributions in grassland classification, rotational grazing, and ecosystem evaluation, and has played a key role in training thousands of professionals, including two academicians and many national leaders in grassland science. Closely integrated with the university’s long-term research on alpine meadow dynamics, degradation processes, and climate adaptation, the station provides vital infrastructure for biodiversity monitoring, ecological experimentation, and collaborative research. It remains a key platform for advancing grassland science and supporting sustainable rangeland management in high-altitude regions. The station warmly welcomes international cooperation in research, education, and innovation.

ID:

Experimentally disentangle the impacts of livestock and pika on the degraded Kobresia ecosystem

Yang Siwei
Yujie, Niu

Abstract/Description

Kobresia ecosystems are the most widespread grassland ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau. Over the past four decades, ecological restoration strategies—such as fencing to control livestock and the eradication of burrowing rodents (e.g., plateau pika)—have been widely implemented to address the degradation of these ecosystems. These strategies are based on the assumption that Kobresia ecosystem degradation is exacerbated by burrowing rodents. However, these assumptions remain controversial due to a lack of experimental evidence. To provide a scientific basis for the sustainable use of grasslands, this study aims to disentangle the effects of yak grazing and plateau pika on vegetation and soil in degraded Kobresia ecosystems. In May 2024, we established an experiment with four treatments:

(1) both yak and pika present (+Y/+P),

(2) yak only (+Y/−P; pika excluded),

(3) pika only (−Y/+P; yak excluded), and

(4) neither yak nor pika (−Y/−P; both grazing and pika excluded),

in a degraded Kobresia ecosystem affected by overgrazing and a pika outbreak. After only one growing season of exclusion, data show that vegetation height, cover, and aboveground biomass in the yak plots were significantly lower than in plots without yak, regardless of the presence of pika. These findings suggest that plateau pika exert no significant effects on vegetation under either grazed or ungrazed conditions. We recommend reducing grazing intensity and urge the government to reconsider current pika eradication policies in the management of Kobresia ecosystems.

FS 3.110: Sustainability, Recreation and Sports in Mountain Areas

FS 3.113: Challenges of alpine housing markets: patterns, policies and practices

FS 3.111

Conserving Tibetan and Himalayan ecosystems

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