| Description |
1 online resource (379 p.) |
| Contents |
Intro -- Salutation -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- About the Authors -- Chapter 1: Introduction to the Third Pole -- 1.1 An Overview of the TPW -- 1.2 Natural and Social Systems of the TPW -- 1.2.1 The Formation and Uplift of the TPW -- 1.2.2 Physical Geography Profile of the TPW -- 1.2.2.1 Solar Radiation in the TPW -- 1.2.3 The Air Temperature in the TPW -- 1.2.4 Precipitation in the TPW -- 1.2.5 Soil Texture and SOC in the TPW -- 1.2.6 The Vegetation in the TPW -- 1.2.7 The Biodiversity in the Third Pole -- 1.2.8 Social Systems in the TPW |
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1.3 Issues on the Sustainability of the TPW -- 1.3.1 Ecological Degradation of the TPW -- 1.3.2 Ecological Restoration Efforts in the TPW -- References -- Chapter 2: Overview of the Third Poleś Grasslands -- 2.1 Grassland Types and Distribution on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau -- 2.1.1 Grassland Area -- 2.1.2 Grassland Type -- 2.1.3 Grassland Distribution -- 2.1.3.1 Alpine Meadow -- 2.1.3.2 Alpine Steppe -- 2.1.3.3 Alpine Desert -- 2.2 Plant Biomass Accumulation and Decomposition in the TPWś Grasslands -- 2.2.1 Accumulation of Plant Biomass -- 2.2.2 Defoliation and Decomposition |
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2.2.3 Plant Phenology and Growth -- 2.3 Climate Resources of the TPWś Grasslands -- 2.3.1 Alpine Meadow Climate -- 2.3.2 Alpine Steppe Climate -- 2.3.3 High-Cold Semi-Desert and Desert Climate -- 2.4 Grassland Water Resources of the TPWś Grasslands -- 2.4.1 Rivers -- 2.4.2 Lakes -- 2.4.3 Marshes -- 2.5 Soil Resources of the TPWś Grasslands -- 2.5.1 Characteristics of the TPWś Grassland Soil -- 2.5.2 Types of the TPWś Grassland Soils -- 2.6 Biological Resources of the TPWś Grasslands -- 2.6.1 Plant Resources -- 2.6.2 Animal Resources -- 2.6.3 Microbe Resources |
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2.7 Cultural Resources of the TPWś Grasslands -- 2.7.1 Ethnic Groups -- 2.7.2 Production Culture -- 2.7.3 Living Culture -- 2.7.4 Spiritual Culture -- 2.8 Values of the TPWś Grassland Resources -- 2.8.1 Livestock Production Value -- 2.8.2 Ecological Service Value -- References -- Chapter 3: Third Poleś Grasslands in a Global Context -- 3.1 Overview of Global Grasslands -- 3.1.1 Definition of Grasslands -- 3.1.2 Classification and Types of Grasslands -- 3.1.3 Origin and Distribution of Grasslands -- 3.1.4 Grassland Size and Area -- 3.1.5 Social Features of Grasslands |
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3.1.6 Values and Importance of Grasslands -- 3.1.7 Sustainability of Grasslands -- 3.2 Global Importance of TPWś Grasslands -- 3.2.1 Key Biome of Alpine Grasslands in the World -- 3.2.2 Key Ecoregions of Alpine Grasslands in the World -- 3.2.3 Typical Highland Pastoralism in the World -- 3.3 Regional Importance of TPW/QTPś Grasslands -- 3.3.1 Position of TPW/QTPś Grasslands on the Eurasian Continent -- 3.3.2 Role of TPWś Grasslands in Regional Socioeconomic Development -- References -- Chapter 4: Grassland Plant-Soil Interfaces -- 4.1 Plant-Soil Interface in Grasslands |
| Summary |
This book comprehensively covers the topics of origin and distribution, evolution and types, regional and global importance, biodiversity conservation, plant-soil interfaces, ecosystem functions and services, social-ecological systems, climate change adaptations, land degradation and restoration, grazing management and pastoral production, and sustainable future of the grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), which is a globally unique eco-region called the "Roof of the World" because of its high elevation, Third Pole on Earth" because of its alpine environment and the "Water Tower in Asia" because of its headwater location. The grassland ecosystem covers above 60% of QTP, which is about 2.5 million km2, 1/4 of Chinese total territorial lands. The grassland ecosystem of the QTP (the Third Pole) is an important part of the palaearctic region, which features alpine cover and low oxygen. The Third Pole's grasslands not only provide important ecosystem functions such as biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, water resource regulation, climate control, and natural disaster mitigation at a global scale, but also provide critical ecosystem services such as pastoral production, cultural inheritance, and tourism and recreation at local and regional scales. The purposes of this monograph are to address the following questions: (1) What are the special features of the Third Pole's grasslands? (2) How have climate changes and human activities changed the structures and functions of the Third Pole's grasslands? (3) How can we cope with land degradation and climate change through innovative restoration and protective actions for Third Pole's grasslands? And (4) How can we promote the sustainable development of social-ecological systems of the Third Pole's grasslands through best management practices including grazing? The goal of this book is to attract the attention of international audiences to realize the importance of the Third Poles grasslands, and to call for the actions of global communities to effectively protect and sustainably use the Third Pole's grasslands. This book can be served as textbooks, teaching materials and documentaries for different audiences. The target audiences include students, teachers, researchers, policy makers, planners, government officials, and NGOs in agricultural, environmental and natural resources sectors |
| Notes |
4.1.1 Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles at the Plant-Soil Interface |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Notes |
Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed October 24, 2023) |
| Subject |
Ecology -- China -- Qinghai Sheng
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Ecology -- Tibet, Plateau of
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Grasslands -- China -- Qinghai Sheng
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Grasslands -- Tibet, Plateau of
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Climatic changes -- China -- Qinghai Sheng
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Climatic changes -- Tibet, Plateau of
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Climatic changes
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Ecology
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Grasslands
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China -- Plateau of Tibet
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China -- Qinghai Sheng
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| Form |
Electronic book
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| Author |
Zhang, Yong
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Shen, Hao
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Li, Shuai
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Xu, Yudan
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| ISBN |
9783031394850 |
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3031394852 |
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