How can the next degradation episode be prevented?

Copyright © CAB International 2009This chapter assesses whether the next degradation episode can be prevented. The historical case studies described in the book represent a failure to manage for the extreme climate variability that characterizes the vast rangeland/ grassland/steppe/desert steppe (the pastoral rangelands) in northern and western China. Thus, they represent a historical ‘test bed’ for our current scientific understanding of pastoral rangelands and the government authorities’ and land users’ responses. The challenge is to overcome decades of neglect of rangelands as ecosystems, and their exploitation for economic gain, and of inappropriate policy interventions (with unintended consequences) against a background of negative attitudes towards herders. Some views about the benefits of using drylands in a sustainable way are outlined and some likely consequences of allowing further dryland degradation to occur are discussed. The long-term future of traditional nomadic pastoralism is discussed in the light of environmental change, economic transition, social development and political reformation. There are still a few options open to dryland inhabitants, but these are being reduced as each year passes. This chapter tries to set some parameters for future generations to ensure intergenerational equity on resource consumption, while at the same time allowing the present generation to prosper, or at least survive.Victor R. Squires and Yang Youlinhttp://trove.nla.gov.au/work/3709567