Land fragmentation: a scourge in China's pastoral areas

摘要

Rangeland fragmentation is a process by which a rangeland system is divided into spatially isolated parts. The degree of fragmentation influences the productivity and ecological function of rangeland, as well as biodiversity conservation. China has a vast area of rangeland (400 million hectares) -- one of the most extensive in the world, but it is also one of the countries where rangeland fragmentation is serious and ongoing. In the paper we describe the status of rangeland fragmentation and the factors that have driven these changing patterns of land use. We suggest strategies that should be implemented for controlling rangeland fragmentation in China and comment on possible paths to land consolidation.