Ecological conservation and restoration on the Tibetan Plateau in China

Climate change and human activities are the main causes of ecological degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) in China. The ecosystems of the QTP are very fragile, in particular the grasslands and forests, and are threatened by degradation, soil erosion and desertifcation. In the past 30 years, China has implemented major ecological projects, including grassland and forest protection and restoration, water- and soil-loss mitigation, and desertifcation control. By initiating ecological projects and improving compensation policies, the livelihoods and living environment of the QTP are improving, thereby promoting the development of local ethnic industries and ecotourism, and increasing the per capita income of residents. The sustainable development of the QTP requires the co-ordination and unity of ecological, economic and social functions of the ecosystem.