Role of special purpose pastures in the integration of seasonal‐use rangelands in western Gansu,China
The rangelands of Western Gansu are characterized by considerable altitudinal variation from alpine meadows to desert margins.Pasture types vary in their growth rhythms and therefore their season of use.Altitudinal migration allows better utilization of the suite of available forage resources.However,there are serious feed deficiencies at times ( Figure 1).Better integration of pastures and the provision of special purpose pastures ( usually sown or artificial pastures/fodder crops) can enhance the usefulness of the existing rangelands.When part of a unit area is set aside to provide a special purpose pasture,the area of the main pasture is reduced.If the animal numbers remain constant,this increases the grazing pressure on the main pasture during the period when the alternative pastures productivity is minimal and relieves the grazing pressure when the alternative pasture is most productive.
altitudinal migration grazing pressure feed balance
Hua L.M Squires V.R.
GEF Gansu Xinjiang Pastoral Development Project,Lanzhou,China
国际会议
呼和浩特
英文
2008-06-29（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）