China, the steppe - LAND DEGRADATION

• what is the Steppe

  a dry grassy plain, with cold long winters and short hot summers (so prone to drought, strong winds and storms).

  • was once small herds, adaptable to natural environment
  • but as population increased, demand increased and tax cuts were given to farmers who obeyed
  • lead to overcultivation and overgrazing
• what are the social impacts to land degradation in the Steppe

  loss of traditional skills, forced migration due to food security issues (tension in the places that get these migrants)
• what are the economic impacts to land degradation in the Steppe

  lower income from traditional economy, lower yields, increased poverty, more need for food aid
• what are the environmental impacts to land degradation in the Steppe

  desertification of over 2500 km² a year, increased erosion, pollution, increased herd sizes has degraded the land (could be short term if removed but they are currently compacting the land and increasing run-off), salinisation
• what are the possible solutions for overcultivation

  use of fertiliser to increase yields without using up space (could cause more damage), new crops (HYV - financial stress and risk of crop failure), improved methods such as crop rotation
• what are the possible solutions for overgrazing

  improving stock quality (such as animals size or the amount of milk they produce), reduce herd size (currently prevented by population pressure)