Author(s)

Chaodong Li

Corresponding Author

Chaodong Li

Abstract

As a sensitive area of global climate change, the long-term impact of grassland fencing measures on multi-scale ecosystem services (ESS) and wildlife migration pathways on the Tibetan Plateau has not been fully studied, although grassland fencing measures have effectively curbed grassland degradation in recent years. Existing studies have mainly focused on the positive effects of fencing on short-term vegetation restoration, often ignoring its complex effects on ESS such as water conservation, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration, as well as its obstruction effect on the migration pathways of key species. In this study, we applied ecosystem service assessment models and spatial analysis techniques to comprehensively evaluate the impact of grassland fencing on ESS and wildlife migration pathways on the Tibetan Plateau. Combining remote sensing data and socio-economic data, a dynamic coupling model was constructed to quantitatively analyze the impact of fencing measures on the interaction between ecological barrier function and herders' livelihoods. The results suggest that fencing does improve vegetation cover in some areas, but at the same time exacerbates soil erosion and blocks migration routes, which in turn affects the overall function of multiscale ESS. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing grassland fencing policies, aiming to balance the development goals of ecological protection and sustainable livelihood of herders.

Keywords

Ecosystem services(ESS), Water conservation, Carbon sequestration, Soil erosion