Adaptive management for alpine grassland of the Tibetan Plateau based on a multi-criteria assessment.

Abstract

With the increasing threats of global climate change and human activities to terrestrial ecosystems, understanding the quality of alpine grassland ecosystems and their influencing factors is fundamental for effective ecosystem management and improving human well-being. However, current adaptive management plans for alpine grasslands based on multi-criteria assessment are limited. This study utilized field investigations at 77 sampling points, drone remote sensing, and satellite remote sensing data to construct an alpine grassland quality index based on vegetation and soil indicators, and assess the ecosystem's resilience and pressure. The assessment revealed that the alpine grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau were classified into five zones, indicating significant differences in quality and pressure levels. Key findings showed that the High-Quality Pressure Zone comprise 41.88% of the area of alpine meadow and 31.89% of alpine steppe, while the Quality Improvement-Limitation Zone account for 21.14% and 35.8% of the respective areas. The study recommends graded protection and recovery strategies for alpine grasslands based on quality levels: prioritizing high-quality grasslands, implementing dynamic monitoring and enhancement for moderate-quality grasslands, and applying artificial interventions and suitable species for low-quality grasslands. This research underscores the importance of zoning-based adaptive strategies for sustainable ecosystem management and provides valuable insights for effective management and protection of alpine grasslands in the Tibetan Plateau.