A Topographic Perspective on the Propensity for Degradation of Plateau Swampy Meadows in Maduo County, West China

Xilai Li (), Jing Zhang and Jay Gao ()
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Xilai Li: Key Laboratory of the Alpine Grassland Ecology in the Three Rivers Region at Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
Jing Zhang: Key Laboratory of the Alpine Grassland Ecology in the Three Rivers Region at Ministry of Education, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
Jay Gao: School of Environment, University of Auckland, New Zealand Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Land, 2022, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: The swampy meadows atop the vast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau in West China fall into alpine, pediment, valley, floodplain, terrace, lacustrine, and riverine types according to their hydro-geomorphic properties. They have suffered degradation to various levels of severity due to climate change and external disturbance. In this paper, we studied the propensity of these types of swampy meadows to degrade from the topographic perspective. Evaluated against four degradation indicators of vegetation, hydrology, soil erosion, and pika ( Ochotona curzoniae ) damage, degradation severity at 106 swampy meadows representing all types of wetlands was graded to one of four levels, from which the field-based propensity to degrade (PtD) index value was derived. Judged against this index, terrace and alpine swampy meadows are the most prone to degradation while valley, lacustrine, and riverine swampy meadows are the least. The index value of a given swampy meadow type bears a close relationship (R 2 = 0.916) with its rate of change during 1990–2013, which confirms the validity of the proposed index in predicting the propensity of swampy meadows to change. The observed differential PtD of different types of swampy meadows is attributed primarily to elevation (R 2 = 0.746; p = 0.027) and, secondarily, to surface morphology (R 2 = 0.696; p = 0.039). Thus, the elevation at which a swampy meadow is situated is a more important factor to its PtD than its surface morphology. In particular, swampy meadows located at a higher elevation with a convex surface are much more prone to degradation than those at a lower elevation of a concave slope. Such findings can guide the proper management of different types of swampy meadows to achieve sustainable animal husbandry.

Keywords: swampy meadow type; degradation propensity; severity assessment; topographic influence; Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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