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- Development Studies, Adaptation to Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Land tenure, Desertification, Rangeland Ecology, and 14 moreGrazing and Range Management, Drylands, Combating desertification and adaptation to CC, Range Management, Livestock and Range Land Studing, Rangelands and Pasture sciences, Desert transformation or desertifiocation Control, Range/livestock, Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Landscape Ecology, and Conservationedit
- Dr Victor Squires is a Distinguished Guest Professor in the Institute of Desertification Studies, Beijing. He is an ... moreDr Victor Squires is a Distinguished Guest Professor in the Institute of Desertification Studies, Beijing. He is an Australian who as a young man studied animal husbandry and rangeland ecology. He has a PhD in Rangeland Science from Utah State University, USA. He is a former Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resource Management at the University of Adelaide, Australia where he worked for 15 years after a 22 year career in Australia’s CSIRO. He is author/editor of more than 20 books including 2012 ‘Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia: Balancing Livelihoods, Biodiversity conservation and Land Protection’. Springer, Dordrecht p.458 and 2018 'Grasslands of the World: Diversity, Management and Conservation' CRC Boca Raton and 2018 'Climate Variability Impacts on Land Use and Livelihoods' Springer N.Y. and 2020 "Food security and Land Use Change under conditions of climatic variability" Springer,edit
The Kobresia meadow in the Tibetan plateau is the world's largest and most unique pastoral alpine ecosystem, forming dense and closed 'lawns' mainly dominated by Kobresia species. Soil cracking induced by overstocking is an important... more
The Kobresia meadow in the Tibetan plateau is the world's largest and most unique pastoral alpine ecosystem, forming dense and closed 'lawns' mainly dominated by Kobresia species. Soil cracking induced by overstocking is an important feature of degraded alpine Kobresia meadows: it cuts the closed, intact rangeland and alters microtopography. However, soil cracks in alpine grasslands of the Tibetan plateau have rarely been reported and the importance of cracking in relation to livestock overgrazing for the degradation and collapse of alpine rangelands has not been taken seriously. In this Perspectives article, we explain the mechanisms of soil crack formation in Kobresia meadows under overgrazing; the ways in which the soil cracks affect the dynamics of hydrological processes and trigger the erosion of Kobresia turfs; and finally the effects on plant community composition and distribution. We outline the importance of recognizing soil cracks as visual indicators and early warning signs of degradation in order to recover alpine Kobresia meadows by reducing stocking rate. The purpose of this article is to emphasize that researchers and managers of alpine rangelands should pay more attention to crack phenomena in an effort to promote sustainable practices and restoration in Kobresia meadowlivestock systems.
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A number of critical issues have emerged in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region as reflected in the downward spiral of resource degradation, increasing rural poverty, and food and livelihood insecurity in mountainous regions. New and... more
A number of critical issues have emerged in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region as reflected in the downward spiral of resource degradation, increasing rural poverty, and food and livelihood insecurity in mountainous regions. New and comprehensive approaches to mountain development are needed to identify sustainable resource development practices such as Sustainable Land Management (SLM), to strengthen local institutions and knowledge systems, and increase the resilience of both mountain environments and their inhabitants. Their important role in capture and storage (sequestration) of carbon, especially soil organic carbon (SOC) needs to be protected.
The key objectives of this chapter are to: reflect upon the links between carbon retention and capture, the provision of other ecosystem services and livelihood impacts: consider the challenges in developing payment systems for carbon storage and outline the key forward-looking interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder opportunities to advance progress towards pro-poor, climate-smart development in the mountainous regions of the HKH. These are among the measures that can be seen as opportunities.
The key objectives of this chapter are to: reflect upon the links between carbon retention and capture, the provision of other ecosystem services and livelihood impacts: consider the challenges in developing payment systems for carbon storage and outline the key forward-looking interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder opportunities to advance progress towards pro-poor, climate-smart development in the mountainous regions of the HKH. These are among the measures that can be seen as opportunities.
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This book chapter is summarizes a lot about what is known about Australia's uniqueness. the environment of Australia is an unusual one. Its flora has high level of endemism, but other aspects like geology, geomorphology, climate and... more
This book chapter is summarizes a lot about what is known about Australia's uniqueness. the environment of Australia is an unusual one. Its flora has high level of endemism, but other aspects like geology, geomorphology, climate and fauna are peculiar. Australian shrublands, the subject of this chapter, occupy a significant proportion of the Australian continent, especially in the arid zone.
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The mechanisms and processes of degradation and rehabilitation are analyzed. The distinction is made between restoration and rehabilitation at the landscape level and the implications for whole rangeland ecosystems are considered. The... more
The mechanisms and processes of degradation and rehabilitation are analyzed. The distinction is made between restoration and rehabilitation at the landscape level and the implications for whole rangeland ecosystems are considered. The recovery phase is considered and the keys to successful recovery, including technical interventions are analyzed. A set of guiding principals for re-seeding and related approaches is presented.
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This book chapter assesses whether the next land degradation episode can be prevented. The challenge is to overcome decades of neglect of rangelands as ecosystems, and their exploitation for economic gain, and of inappropriate policy... more
This book chapter assesses whether the next land degradation episode can be prevented. 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 and agro-pastoralists.
Some views about the benefits of using drylands in a sustainable way are outlined and some likely consequences of allowing further dryland degradation are discussed. The long term future of traditional nomadic pastoralism is examined in the light of environmental change, economic transition, social development and political reformation.
There are still a few options available to dryland inhabitants , but these are are being reduced as each year passes. We try here to set some parameters for future generations to ensure inter-generational equity on resource consumption, while at the same time allowing the present generation to prosper, or at least survive.
Some views about the benefits of using drylands in a sustainable way are outlined and some likely consequences of allowing further dryland degradation are discussed. The long term future of traditional nomadic pastoralism is examined in the light of environmental change, economic transition, social development and political reformation.
There are still a few options available to dryland inhabitants , but these are are being reduced as each year passes. We try here to set some parameters for future generations to ensure inter-generational equity on resource consumption, while at the same time allowing the present generation to prosper, or at least survive.
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This is a selection of books written/edited by Victor R. Squires. more details on each one can be found in other entries on Academia.edu
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Synopsis Protection of local breeds of livestock is an important part of biodiversity conservation and is one of the pillars of sustainable development for animal husbandry in NW China. China has a wide variety of specialist livestock... more
Synopsis Protection of local breeds of livestock is an important part of biodiversity conservation and is one of the pillars of sustainable development for animal husbandry in NW China. China has a wide variety of specialist livestock breeds that have developed in response to the severe climatic and nutritional regimes. Over recent decades cross breeding in response to changing market demands has diluted the unique gene pools. Efforts are underway to conserve the major local genotypes. This chapter presents an overview of the local breeds of the major livestock sheep, goats, cattle, and yaks and reports on research on establishing the genetic distance between breeds of sheep. Key Points 1. The genetic diversity of local livestock is the gene bank for improving breeds of domestic animals and adapting to future changes in animal production pattern. 2. The history of cattle and sheep production is centuries-old in Gansu and Xinjiang. Under special environmental background and economic conditions, the rich diversity of livestock breeds formed by long term natural and artificial selection. 3. Over recent decades cross breeding in response to changing market demands has diluted the unique gene pools. Efforts are underway to conserve the major local genotypes. 4. Under special the environments of Xinjiang and Gansu, through long term natural and artificial selection and breeding, sheep and cattle breeds came into being. 148 Lang Xia et al. The breeds have adapted to local environment well and have the attributes of cold tolerance, drought tolerance, resistance disease and coarse fodder tolerance. 5. Various factors have contributed to changes in the population size of local breeds of livestock. These include changes to market conditions and to the sedentariza-tion of the herders. 6. Protecting local breeds of livestock is a long term undertaking. Measures put in place now will ensure that further pollution of the gene pool does not occur.
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This is part of the background for the CABI 2009 book ISBN 978-1-84593-496-5. It provides context and setting, scope and purpose.
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This book Rangeland Degradation and Recovery in China's pastoral lands, (CABI ) brings better understanding of the causes of major episodes of rangeland degradation and recovery in China’s pastoral lands. This chapter sets the context for... more
This book Rangeland Degradation and Recovery in China's pastoral lands, (CABI ) brings better understanding of the causes of major episodes of rangeland degradation and recovery in
China’s pastoral lands. This chapter sets the context for the analysis, explains its scope and purpose and describes
briefly the geographic, social and economic environment in which pastoral land use is conducted in China.
Keywords: rangelands defined; wildlife; watershed; biodiversity; herders; nomadic lifestyle; north
China; rotational grazing; carrying capacity; stocking pressure; drought; land degradation; policy; land tenure; user rights
China’s pastoral lands. This chapter sets the context for the analysis, explains its scope and purpose and describes
briefly the geographic, social and economic environment in which pastoral land use is conducted in China.
Keywords: rangelands defined; wildlife; watershed; biodiversity; herders; nomadic lifestyle; north
China; rotational grazing; carrying capacity; stocking pressure; drought; land degradation; policy; land tenure; user rights
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The problems and prospects for reversing land degradation and for ecological restoration of degraded landscapes are reviewed. Animal husbandry on rangelands in NW China is under great pressure. This pressure is leading to a major... more
The problems and prospects for reversing land degradation and for
ecological restoration of degraded landscapes are reviewed. Animal husbandry on rangelands in NW China is under great pressure. This pressure is leading to a major transformation of the livestock sector, from one that is resource-driven (based on available forage, water, crop residues/by-products) to one that aggressively looks for new resources (grain, fodder crops, energy inputs). This shift has resulted in
environmental damage and disruption to the traditional systems of production.
Key Points
1. Rangelands provide habitat to a wide array of native wildlife and plants, high quality water, forage for domestic livestock and wildlife, and play a part in biodiversity conservation and CO2 sequestration. In addition, they directly provide
livelihood and lifestyle to millions of herders and, indirectly, to the bureaucracy
and service industry set up to cater to their needs.
2. A major productivity gaps exists within NW China’s pastoral Lands. Closing
this productivity gap could offer opportunities to relieve the strain on rangelands
but it is clear that this cannot be obtained by expanding the conventional feed
base on rangelands.
3. Rangeland grazing systems offer only limited potential for intensification and livestock production is becoming increasingly more dependent on crops. Thus the importance of forage from rangelands is decreasing at the expense of cereals, fodder crops like maize and oats, and industrial by-products.
ecological restoration of degraded landscapes are reviewed. Animal husbandry on rangelands in NW China is under great pressure. This pressure is leading to a major transformation of the livestock sector, from one that is resource-driven (based on available forage, water, crop residues/by-products) to one that aggressively looks for new resources (grain, fodder crops, energy inputs). This shift has resulted in
environmental damage and disruption to the traditional systems of production.
Key Points
1. Rangelands provide habitat to a wide array of native wildlife and plants, high quality water, forage for domestic livestock and wildlife, and play a part in biodiversity conservation and CO2 sequestration. In addition, they directly provide
livelihood and lifestyle to millions of herders and, indirectly, to the bureaucracy
and service industry set up to cater to their needs.
2. A major productivity gaps exists within NW China’s pastoral Lands. Closing
this productivity gap could offer opportunities to relieve the strain on rangelands
but it is clear that this cannot be obtained by expanding the conventional feed
base on rangelands.
3. Rangeland grazing systems offer only limited potential for intensification and livestock production is becoming increasingly more dependent on crops. Thus the importance of forage from rangelands is decreasing at the expense of cereals, fodder crops like maize and oats, and industrial by-products.
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Halophytes are defined as plant species growing naturally in saline habitats. Their role and potential are discussed under seven main headings: land rehabilitation, as irrigated crops using saline water as feed for livestock, as medicinal... more
Halophytes are defined as plant species growing naturally in saline habitats. Their role and potential are discussed under seven main headings: land rehabilitation, as irrigated crops using saline water as feed for livestock, as medicinal plants, as fuelwoods, as shade and shelter and for sequestration of carbon dioxide. Prospects and problems are discussed.
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Here is a list of books, book chapters and papers from Victor Squires (Australia) over the past few years.
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Alpine grasslands are a common feature on the extensive (2.6 million km 2) Qinghai-Tibet plateau in western and southwestern China. These grasslands are characterized by their ability to thrive at high altitudes and in areas with short... more
Alpine grasslands are a common feature on the extensive (2.6 million km 2) Qinghai-Tibet plateau in western and southwestern China. These grasslands are characterized by their ability to thrive at high altitudes and in areas with short growing seasons and low humidity. Alpine steppe and alpine meadow are the principal plant Formations supporting a rich species mix of grass and forb species, many of them endemic. Alpine grasslands are the mainstay of pastoralism where yaks and hardy Tibetan sheep and Bactrian camels are the favored livestock in the cold arid region. It is not only their importance to local semi nomadic herders, but their role as headwaters of nine major rivers that provide water to more than one billion people in China and in neighboring countries in south and southeast Asia and beyond. Grasslands in this region were heavily utilized in recent decades and are facing accelerated land degradation. Government and herder responses, although quite different, are being implemented as climate change and the transition to the market economy proceeds apace. Problems and prospects for alpine grasslands and the management regimes being imposed (including sedentarization, resettlement and global warming are briefly discussed.
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This concluding chapter in the book "Food Security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability (2020)' is an attempt to provide a synthesis of the multiple issues around food security under conditions of climate... more
This concluding chapter in the book "Food Security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability (2020)' is an attempt to provide a synthesis of the multiple issues around food security under conditions of climate variability. It takes account of the various interacting factors that impinge on nutrition, health, security, and well-being of people across the globe. Specific case studies zero–in on problems and consider prospects for improving outcomes (situation betterment) for those involved.
The policy framework and the enabling environment receive attention as do the practical ‘grassroots’ measures that have been put in place in Africa, Asia (India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China) the Middle East and elsewhere.
The policy framework and the enabling environment receive attention as do the practical ‘grassroots’ measures that have been put in place in Africa, Asia (India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China) the Middle East and elsewhere.
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This chapter from the Springer book ‘Food Security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability” reviews and clarifies the relationship between climate change and food security with special reference to livestock... more
This chapter from the Springer book ‘Food Security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability” reviews and clarifies the relationship between climate change and food security with special reference to livestock production, human nutrition and health. Micronutrient deficiency remains a serious problem in Indonesia with approximately 100 million people, or 40% of the population, suffering from one or more micronutrient deficiencies. In rural areas with poor market access, forests and trees may provide an essential source of nutritious food. Issues canvassed here include: (i) impact and implications of population growth at the regional and global level (ii) nutrition and nutrient (including vitamin) deficiency and stunting of growth in young humans (iii) Role of smallholders in providing subsistence/survival rations and (iv) the significance of livestock (ruminant and non-ruminant) and unconventional food sources (amphibians, rodents, reptiles, insects etc) in providing food. The interplay between some, or many, of these issues and climate variability (as manifested in the problems around food security) is elaborated. There are complex interactions and inextricable links between many of the factors and these are discussed briefly. The special role and responsibility of agriculture, especially the 200 million smallholders who supply more than half the world’s total food, is explained.
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This chapter reviews available information, summarizes trends and reports on published efforts to minimize the impact of factors contributing to food insecurity. There are four main themes: 1.The policy and practice around the protection... more
This chapter reviews available information, summarizes trends and reports on published efforts to minimize the impact of factors contributing to food insecurity. There are four main themes: 1.The policy and practice around the protection of China’s agricultural land and national food security; 2.The marginalization of small-scale farmers (and their knowledge) through the vertical integration and modernization of agricultural production; 3. Diverse responses to heightened food safety anxiety and an increasingly disembedded food system; and 4. Emerging “alternative food systems” and “alternative food networks” in China, such as organic food and agriculture, ecological farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture (CSA) farms and grassroots organizations promoting environmental and social values for a more sustainable food system. Statistical data, comments by specialists (both foreign and domestic) and the results of our own observations are synthesized in this commentary.
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Land quality varies and determines to a large extent the land use systems adopted in a region or area. There are strong links between biophysical processes and economic choices at local, regional and global levels. Understanding the... more
Land quality varies and determines to a large extent the land use systems adopted in a region or area. There are strong links between biophysical processes and economic choices at local, regional and global levels. Understanding the relationships between land attributes, land degradation, agricultural productivity and food security is a major challenge. In this chapter we address some of the underlying issues, including the influence of changing dietary patterns on food security. We point the way to a better future for agriculture industries and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods in this era of global (not only climate) change.
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This chapter from the Springer book ‘Food Security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability” reviews and clarifies the relationship between climate change and food security with special reference to livestock... more
This chapter from the Springer book ‘Food Security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability” reviews and clarifies the relationship between climate change and food security with special reference to livestock production, human nutrition and health. Micronutrient deficiency remains a serious problem in Indonesia with approximately 100 million people, or 40% of the population, suffering from one or more micronutrient deficiencies. In rural areas with poor market access, forests and trees may provide an essential source of nutritious food. Issues canvassed here include: (i) impact and implications of population growth at the regional and global level (ii) nutrition and nutrient (including vitamin) deficiency and stunting of growth in young humans (iii) Role of smallholders in providing subsistence/survival rations and (iv) the significance of livestock (ruminant and non-ruminant) and unconventional food sources (amphibians, rodents, reptiles, insects etc) in providing food. The interplay between some, or many, of these issues and climate variability (as manifested in the problems around food security) is elaborated. There are complex interactions and inextricable links between many of the factors and these are discussed briefly. The special role and responsibility of agriculture, especially the 200 million smallholders who supply more than half the world’s total food, is explained.
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Complete list of books and Reports updated June2020
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This is a list of books and Proceedings authored or edited by Victor R. Squires
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Synopsis: This is a chapter from Springer. This chapter provides information about the geographical location, population, climatic conditions, natural resources , areal extent and administrative regions of China, the third largest country... more
Synopsis: This is a chapter from Springer. This chapter provides information about the geographical location, population, climatic conditions, natural resources , areal extent and administrative regions of China, the third largest country in the world. We discuss definitions of desertification , land degradation and the causes and hazards brought about by desertification.. Finally we provide information pertaining to the status, characteristics, types, distribution and efforts to combat desertification. in China -- one of the countries most seriously affected by desertification that is exacerbated by desert encroachment. We also explain the role in China's development strategy of efforts to prevent desert encroachment.
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Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. An examination of the relationship between desert control and desertification with an explanation of the confusion that has arisen from the similarity of the words. Key Points • Partly the... more
Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. An examination of the relationship between desert control and desertification with an explanation of the confusion that has arisen from the similarity of the words. Key Points • Partly the desire to tame the desert is fuelled by the notion that 'man is dominant over nature' but interest in the subject is driven by the growing pressure of human population, the diminishing resource base and the widespread poverty that is a feature of many desert regions. Even in desert areas where there is no permanent habitation, protection of the infrastructure, pipelines, electricity transmission lines, railways, and highways dictate that measures need be taken to tame the desert. • It is now widely accepted that desertification is not the relentless advance of desert but rather the development of land degradation in discrete sites, that can coalesce and spread but the threat of desert encroachment is real on the desert margins. • The driving forces for the different environmental problems in Asia (as well as in the rest of the world) are fundamentally related to human population growth which increases the use of natural resources and production of wastes. Rapid population growth has contributed to the destruction of natural habits, widespread land conversion, and increased intensities of land use, further resulting in a series of problems of ecosystem degradation including desertification, salinization and alkalization, water-logging, and air and water pollution. V.R. Squires () College 20, © Springer ScienceCBusiness Media Dordrecht 2013 427 428 V.R. Squires • The confusion between controlling the desert (a not unreasonable aim) and desertification control has hindered land rehabilitation efforts. A consequence of misunderstanding about desertification, fuelled by the belief that desert spreading is the primary problem, is the planting of sand dunes. Planting, though costly, is technically and logistically a simple operation now perfected by years of investigation in Northwest China and in Iran (and elsewhere). The benefit/cost ratio of planting is low or negative. But planting is visible and gives the impression that something is being done. It allows government agencies to avoid tackling the much harder social and economic problems of insidious land degradation. • Phenomena like desertification involve environmental, economic and social factors. The combined effects have either been ignored or treated in a one-sided manner. Progress in combating desertification will require a major rethink and the application of holistic approaches such as Integrated Ecosystem Management.
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Synopsis This is a chapter in a SPRINGER book.The concepts of "replication", and "scaling-up" are being increasingly promoted as important elements of efforts to combat desertification and arrest and reverse land degradation by donors,... more
Synopsis This is a chapter in a SPRINGER book.The concepts of "replication", and "scaling-up" are being increasingly promoted as important elements of efforts to combat desertification and arrest and reverse land degradation by donors, governments, and non-governmental and community organizations. In this chapter the opportunities, problems and prospects for scaling-up and replication are discussed. Key Points • The proven practices described in this book include practical, on-the-ground measures as well as legislative and policy initiatives that have been effective. Where success has been observed with a demonstrable development dividend there is a desire to advance that success on a larger scale through scale-up and replication The more common questions posed by the international development community are: how can successful ideas be grown and adapted to other regions, countries and sectors, in order to fast track progress towards development goals, including arresting and reversing land degradation? • Communicated effectively, success stories can create a demand driven approach whereby communities actively seek opportunities to apply proven technologies and management models in their communities. The examples outlined in this book are from a wide range of environments and social and political systems and should provide encouragement to local communities both within the countries from which the Case Studies are drawn.
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This is a chapter from a book published by Kluwer in 1994.Halophytes are defined as plant species growing naturally in saline habitats. Their role and potential are discussed under seven main headings: land rehabilitation, as irrigated... more
This is a chapter from a book published by Kluwer in 1994.Halophytes are defined as plant species growing naturally in saline habitats. Their role and potential are discussed under seven main headings: land rehabilitation, as irrigated crops using saline water as feed for livestock, as medicinal plants, as fuelwoods, as shade and shelter and for sequestration of carbon dioxide. Prospects and problems are discussed.
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Abstract. This is a chapter in a book published by KLUWER. North America is rich in halophyte plants with over 200 distinct species occurring in coastal and inland regions. They are not a single taxonomic group but represent many... more
Abstract. This is a chapter in a book published by KLUWER. North America is rich in halophyte plants with over 200 distinct species occurring in coastal and inland regions. They are not a single taxonomic group but represent many different taxa and growth forms. Emphasis has shifted from studying halophyte ecology and physiology to a serious attempt to utilize them in farming systems. Promising results have been obtained from preliminary studies on their feed value for ruminants and poultry. Satisfactory weight gains can be obtained when halophytes are fed to livestock in mixed rations as a substitute for more conventional fodders. This paper reviews the current status of halophytes in North America and summarizes the results of research on animal feeding trials.
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Synopsis. This a chapter from a Springer book. Protection of local breeds of livestock is an important part of biodiversity conservation and is one of the pillars of sustainable development for animal husbandry in NW China. China has a... more
Synopsis. This a chapter from a Springer book. Protection of local breeds of livestock is an important part of biodiversity conservation and is one of the pillars of sustainable development for animal husbandry in NW China. China has a wide variety of specialist livestock breeds that have developed in response to the severe climatic and nutritional regimes. Over recent decades cross breeding in response to changing market demands has diluted the unique gene pools. Efforts are underway to conserve the major local genotypes. This chapter presents an overview of the local breeds of the major livestock sheep, goats, cattle, and yaks and reports on research on establishing the genetic distance between breeds of sheep. Key Points 1. The genetic diversity of local livestock is the gene bank for improving breeds of domestic animals and adapting to future changes in animal production pattern. 2. The history of cattle and sheep production is centuries-old in Gansu and Xinjiang. Under special environmental background and economic conditions, the rich diversity of livestock breeds formed by long term natural and artificial selection. 3. Over recent decades cross breeding in response to changing market demands has diluted the unique gene pools. Efforts are underway to conserve the major local genotypes. 4. Under special the environments of Xinjiang and Gansu, through long term natural and artificial selection and breeding, sheep and cattle breeds came into being. 148 Lang Xia et al. The breeds have adapted to local environment well and have the attributes of cold tolerance, drought tolerance, resistance disease and coarse fodder tolerance. 5. Various factors have contributed to changes in the population size of local breeds of livestock. These include changes to market conditions and to the sedentarization of the herders. 6. Protecting local breeds of livestock is a long term undertaking. Measures put in place now will ensure that further pollution of the gene pool does not occur.
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This is a chapter from a Springer book. It presents an overview of grazing user rights(GUR) assigned tyo households or kin-related groups to more easily regulate access to grazing and other rangeland resources (water, fuelwood). Several... more
This is a chapter from a Springer book. It presents an overview of grazing user rights(GUR) assigned tyo households or kin-related groups to more easily regulate access to grazing and other rangeland resources (water, fuelwood). Several alternative models of tenure are outlined. Three contrasting models were tested in Gansu as part of the World Bank/GEF funded project. Implementation problems are discussed. There is focus on an evaluation a a community based management plan involving 67 household as grazing 1170 ha in Gansu.
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Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. Present-day land utilization in the pastoral regions of NW China shows the influence of both the long tradition of herding and the impact of population increases through inward migration,... more
Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. Present-day land utilization in the pastoral regions of NW China shows the influence of both the long tradition of herding and the impact of population increases through inward migration, and of the changing policy environment from the mid-twentieth century. Management options and livelihood strategies for the herders and farmers in NW China are considered and evaluated. The necessity of working within a systems framework is explained. Key Points 1. There are only a few management options available to the land users. Those that do exist fall into two categories: Reduce total grazing pressure (from livestock, from mammalian competitors) and Increase feed supply and/or utilization efficiency (by planting sown pastures, and fodder crops, by utilizing crop residues in a better way, e.g. urea treatment, by conserving fodder as hay or silage). 2. Recently there has been a reshaping of the local agro-pastoral production systems and rural livelihoods. The main strategies adopted can be classified into two main groups: Reactive/Shorter term coping mechanisms and Proactive/Longer term adaptive changes. 3. A prerequisite to any plan to improve the herder incomes or the productivity of the rangelands is to gain a good understanding of the existing system and the linkages between the components of the system. Experience has shown that 42 Victor Squires et al. "packaging" interventions is essential because attention to a single aspect such as better breeds will do little to overcome the existing bottlenecks. 4. Many changes are occurring that effect the relationships between the herders and those in adjacent areas. There are now important new linkages between the rangelands, the farming community, villages as service centers and the larger urban centers that provide a market for many livestock products. 5. As China moves toward a market economy the influence of both supply and demand for livestock products (milk, meat, fiber) and environmental concerns loom large. Importantly, the role of the pastoralist becomes that of a supplier of market demand rather than a mediator between the rangeland and animals. 6. Rural livelihood strategies in the regions are changing. At the household level the income generated through agriculture and rural activities seems increasingly unable to satisfy the economic needs of a family; and the labor opportunities provided by herding and farming do not inspire the younger generations. As a result the importance of income sources produced off-farm are becoming of utmost importance. Keywords Agro-pastoral • herders • farmers • markets • livelihood strategy • population growth • rangeland conversion • sown pasture • packaging interventions • fodder crops • crop residues • systems framework • ecosystem services • non-equilibrial • biodiversity • livestock • gender bias • animal dung as fuel • edible plants
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This is chapter from a Springer book. This chapter briefly reviews the role and purpose of environmental education in China and abroad. The principles, strategies and curriculum for environmental education in the school context are... more
This is chapter from a Springer book. This chapter briefly reviews the role and purpose of environmental education in China and abroad. The principles, strategies and curriculum for environmental education in the school context are outlined with detailed Case study from eight counties in Gansu Province in NW China.
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Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. The local agro-pastoral economy is changing in NW China; farming activities seem to be very instrumental to livestock development, rather than the other way around. Furthermore crop... more
Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. The local agro-pastoral economy is changing in NW China; farming activities seem to be very instrumental to livestock development, rather than the other way around. Furthermore crop production has expanded to meet the increasing demand for fodder (and grain) for animal feeding and herd growth. In some areas agricultural activities seem often to represent strategies to claim user rights to plots of land by converting rangeland to cropland. It is clear that the process of modernization of the region has changed patterns of natural resource management in critical ways, increasing dependency on market-based dynamics and important out-migratory fluxes and reliance on off-farm income, with remittances playing an important role in the local economy, together with revenues from the tourism sector in some selected areas. Key Points 1. The people-livestock-environment that operated in the NW region of China for centuries changed dramatically in the 1950s and continues to change in ways that are irreversible. The balance has shifted from herders, who traditionally controlled access and utilization of rangelands, to others (farmers, government agencies etc) through the process of individualization of natural resources. This process has undermined the customary institutional environment on land encroachment practices. 2. The local agro-pastoral economy is changing. The overall relevance of cropping activities within the local agro-pastoral system has increased. Recent trends indicate a shift from rangeland-related animal feeding, towards an increasing relevance
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Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. The strongholds of semi-nomadic systems in NW China are undergoing rapid evolution as market-driven systems overtake them. New socioeconomic issues have arisen which impact the way in which... more
Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. The strongholds of semi-nomadic systems in NW China are undergoing rapid evolution as market-driven systems overtake them. New socioeconomic issues have arisen which impact the way in which traditional societies view the future. This chapter focuses on those characteristics and issues which we judged to be most important in the current and future management of environmental resources. Sustainable use of these vast and highly variable rangelands depends on recognition of the interplay between people, livestock, wildlife and the rangeland resource on which they all depend (either directly or indirectly). The impact of the application of grassland science, as currently formulated is reviewed and alternatives explored. Key Points 1. Herders in the NW are Post-traditional pastoralists (at the transition between nomadic traditionalism and post-nomadic modernity). There is interplay in the pastoral areas of NW China between people, livestock, wildlife and the rangeland resource on which they all depend (either directly or indirectly). 2. Pastoralism in the arid zone has always been severely constrained. The key constraints that have plagued pastoralism in the past include both the technical (e.g. animal health, nutrition) and socio-political (land tenure, user rights, policy issues) and economic (marketing) aspects. 326 Victor Squires et al. 3. Traditional lifestyles are under threat throughout NW China. Environmental, social, economic and political changes will impact on nomadic/semi-nomadic herding. The strongholds of semi-nomadic systems in NW China are undergoing rapid evolution as market-driven systems overtake them. New socioeconomic issues have arisen which impact the way in which traditional societies view the future. 4. These shifts call for a different set of institutions, markets and policies. They also call for the development and adaptation of new technologies to make livestock production environmentally more benign. The scope is enormous and so is the task. The challenge is to find ways of managing pastoral rangelands that are more environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially equitable than at present. Such systems must also be robust enough to cope with the wide variations in both temporal and spatial dimensions of the problem in rangelands. 5. The current reliance by "grassland science" on the concepts of carrying capacity and succession theory in systems that are probably less affected in the long term by livestock than by stochastic and unpredictable climatic events and sequences needs urgent reform. A much more critical analysis is required in order to understand the complexity of the relationship between enclosures, grazing bans, cultural practices, and grazing pressure intensification. 6. In order to tackle grassland degradation we need to firstly understand the nature of the problem itself, establish the basis on which scientists and resource-users can agree, while encouraging mutual respect for various viewpoints. If local people are going to make a difference in transforming an environmentally degraded landscape, they must see this as a problem first, and then have some control and responsibility in the management of their natural resources.
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Synopsis This is a chapter from a SPRINGER book. A brief overview the pastoral regions of NW China that sets the scene for the chapters that follow. The principal geographic features (areal extent, elevation, topography), climatology,... more
Synopsis This is a chapter from a SPRINGER book. A brief overview the pastoral regions of NW China that sets the scene for the chapters that follow. The principal geographic features (areal extent, elevation, topography), climatology, demography and the policy environment are summarized.
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Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. Biodiversity in NW China is discussed. Four specific issues are dealt with in this chapter: (i) plant responses to grazing; (ii) plant invasions; (iii) the responses to management of valued... more
Synopsis This is a chapter from a Springer book. Biodiversity in NW China is discussed. Four specific issues are dealt with in this chapter: (i) plant responses to grazing; (ii) plant invasions; (iii) the responses to management of valued rangeland biota (plants and animals); and (iv) vulnerability to climate change. Case studies in Gansu and in Xinjiang are presented. Key Points 1. Biodiversity is a multifaceted phenomenon involving the variety of organisms present, the genetic differences among them, and the communities, ecosystems, and landscape patterns in which they occur. Many factors affect biodiversity of plants and animals (including birds and insects). Grazing (defoliation and trampling) is a major one. 2. Although pivotal in rangeland management, plant responses to grazing are sometimes difficult to predict. Two alternative approaches have been used. The first analyzes long-term grazing experiments to investigate the links between plant traits (like species composition, density, frequency, cover and biomass) and response to various levels of grazing pressure. The second analyzes the impact of varying periods of exclosure (protection from grazing) on the plant traits. 3. Reducing or removing grazing pressure was effective for rehabilitating rangelands. With the increase of plant diversity, community coverage, density, aboveground biomass, the structure of below-ground biomass of the steppe community has been improved, the capacity of retention and storage of water has been enhanced, and the ecosystem service function of natural grassland has been effectively restored. 4. Habitat loss is often characterised by vegetation fragmentation or the loss of connectivity in landscapes. The degree of fragmentation is a key indicator. It is noted that fragmentation of natural habitat due to overgrazing, opportunistic cultivation and other modifying practices disrupts ecological processes such as nutrient and energy cycling, creates sub-populations of species and isolates those sub-populations from one another. 5. There is a correlation between the size of remnant vegetation patches and susceptibility of the natural environment to a variety of pressures. There is also a correlation between the size of remnants and numbers of species and population viability, and there are further possible impacts on pollination, seed dispersal , wildlife migration and breeding. Rangeland vegetation that is retained and forms part of a 'connected landscape' can perform a variety of roles in allowing species (plant and animal) to move and adapt to a changing climate.
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Synopsis The chapter is from a SPRINGER book. This is an overview of the grazing systems in common use in NW China. People are recognized as a key factor in the management of rangelands and the participation of herders and other land... more
Synopsis The chapter is from a SPRINGER book. This is an overview of the grazing systems in common use in NW China. People are recognized as a key factor in the management of rangelands and the participation of herders and other land users is especially important in arresting and reversing rangeland degradation. Current strategies to achieve more sustainable rangeland use are examined. Key Points 1. Two major livestock production systems are in use in NW China. The Pure grazing enterprise that relies on seasonal migration from winter pastures at low elevations to summer grazing on alpine and mountain meadows and the Agro-pastoral enterprises that rely on integration (to a greater or lesser extent) of the rangelands and the croplands. 2. Government policy is to develop a system of livestock production from range-lands that incorporates modern scientific animal husbandry and an intensifica-tion of production methods. Policy is difficult to implement and progress toward better integration of arable and non arable land which is the key to increasing forage and fodder production is slow. 3. Mixed systems, at the interface between croplands and rangelands, are under constant pressure to increase the area devoted to fodder and grain to meet the burgeoning demand for pen feeding of livestock and in response to population pressures and national policies that subsidize cereal production and self-sufficiency. 4. Grazing systems are characterized by a relatively low productivity, and most land that is suitable for grazing is already under use. Stocking rates of rangelands are probably at the maximum levels (or higher) allowed by current technologies.
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This is the Contents list of new book by SpringerNature entitled "Food security and Land Use Change under conditions of climate variability" Edited by Victor R Squires and Mahesh K. Gaur
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A brief account of my 60 years working and for rangelands. This is a tribute from the University of New England (U.N.E.), Australia
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Here is an updated list of books written and or edited by Victor R Squires
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A list of books, mainly about land degradation, desertification and ecological restoration
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A list of books written/edited by Dr Victor R Squires over the period 1980 to 2020
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This is a chapter from ‘Livestock management strategies and challenges’ Livestock production is the mainstay of the economy of many of the 14 countries in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. The climate, topography and level of... more
This is a chapter from ‘Livestock management strategies and challenges’ Livestock production is the mainstay of the economy of many of the 14 countries in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. The climate, topography and level of development is far from uniform and this has given rise to a variety of livestock production systems. These include extensive grazing on rangelands in arid and semi-arid regions, through various agro-pastoral systems and more intensive (e.g., dairy) production systems that rely on irrigated forage/fodder. At the other end of the spectrum there are highly intensive systems to raise chickens, for eggs and meat. The chapter outlines the characteristics of these systems and discusses problems and prospects.
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This is a chapter from the book “Livestock Management Strategies and Challenges’. In this chapter the main focus will be on competitive interactions of ruminant animals when grazing/browsing in common either with other domesticated... more
This is a chapter from the book “Livestock Management Strategies and Challenges’. In this chapter the main focus will be on competitive interactions of ruminant animals when grazing/browsing in common either with other domesticated livestock or in mixed herds/flocks with wildlife. In ruminants, that include the most common domesticated livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, yaks, camels, llamas, alpaca, vicuna, eland, red deer etc) there are anatomical adaptations that minimize the competition between species when grazing/browsing in common. But behavioral traits can also come into play.
This chapter will present an overview of the significant interactions that occur, including dietary overlap and herding behavior that allow different species to co-exist. It will explore inter-specific competition (predator-prey) and interactions between livestock and wildlife.
This chapter will present an overview of the significant interactions that occur, including dietary overlap and herding behavior that allow different species to co-exist. It will explore inter-specific competition (predator-prey) and interactions between livestock and wildlife.
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This is a chapter from the book “Livestock Production, Management Strategies and Challenges’. In this chapter the main focus will be on competitive interactions of ruminant animals when grazing/browsing in common either with other... more
This is a chapter from the book “Livestock Production, Management Strategies and Challenges’. In this chapter the main focus will be on competitive interactions of ruminant animals when grazing/browsing in common either with other domesticated livestock or in mixed herds/flocks with wildlife. In ruminants, that include the most common domesticated livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, yaks, camels, llamas, alpaca, vicuna, eland, red deer etc) there are anatomical adaptations that minimize the competition between species when grazing/browsing in common. But behavioral traits can also come into play.
This chapter will present an overview of the significant interactions that occur, including dietary overlap and herding behavior that allow different species to co-exist. It will explore inter-specific competition (predator-prey) and interactions between livestock and wildlife.
This chapter will present an overview of the significant interactions that occur, including dietary overlap and herding behavior that allow different species to co-exist. It will explore inter-specific competition (predator-prey) and interactions between livestock and wildlife.
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This is a chapter from ‘Livestock Production, Management strategies and challenges’. Agriculture and livestock are amongst the most climate sensitive economic sectors in the developing countries whilst the rural poor communities are more... more
This is a chapter from ‘Livestock Production, Management strategies and challenges’. Agriculture and livestock are amongst the most climate sensitive economic sectors in the developing countries whilst the rural poor communities are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Livestock production and health are significantly vulnerable to the impact of climate change and resource poor farmers and pastoralists are the most vulnerable. Climate change is real and is happening now. Adaptation and mitigation approaches should be practiced to minimize the effects and build resilience of vulnerable livestock keeping communities. Donors, including NGOs, should work together with livestock owners and other land users to formulate mitigation, adaptation and traditional coping strategies against these adverse effects. Rural communities in developing countries especially women, children and marginal communities are at greatest risk to suffer from potential impacts of climate change due to high exposure to natural hazards, their direct dependence on climate sensitive resources such as plants, animals, water and land, and their limited capacity to adapt to and cope with climate change. This chapter explores the potential impacts of climate change on livestock production and health with examples from several regionsand proposes several appropriate approaches that can be adopted to mitigate or adapt the prevailing situation to a more climate-resilient state.
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This paper with its focus on southwest China with special reference to Guangxi Autonomous region (GZAR) has a threefold contribution to the existing literature. First, it summarizes the salient features of the geography and the... more
This paper with its focus on southwest China with special reference to Guangxi Autonomous region (GZAR) has a threefold contribution to the existing literature. First, it summarizes the salient features of the geography and the determinants of poverty among the various regions of GZAR. Second, we draw attention to land use and land cover change over recent decades and their implications. The nature and extent of natural forest and woodlands, from which most non-wood forest products are derived, and eucalyptus plantations that are a major source of revue for GZAR are summarized. Third, policy syndromes in relation to livelihoods, poverty alleviation policies, ecosystem and biodiversity conservation are examined and policy implications discussed. This paper does not aim to provide definitive answers, yet intends to scrutinize the data and re-examine the trends in the light of three key drivers (population increase, climate change and urbanization) This will be done mainly by reviewin...
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Comparisons were made of the walking behaviour of sheep of contrasting breed and physiological condition. The sheep were confined to narrow laneways in which the food and water sources were separated by long distances, and measurements... more
Comparisons were made of the walking behaviour of sheep of contrasting breed and physiological condition. The sheep were confined to narrow laneways in which the food and water sources were separated by long distances, and measurements were made of mean daily distance walked and walking speed. Maximum daily distances walked when the food and water were 4 km apart were 14.0 km for Border Leicesters, 13.7 km for Merinos and 9.0 km for Dorset Horns. The speed of walking was 2.2-2.7 km/h for Border Leicesters and Merinos, but only 0.8 km/h for Dorset Horns. Pregnancy and lactation in Dorset Horn x Merino sheep reduced walking distance and walking speed.
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The walking and drinking behaviour of Merino and Border Leicester wethers was compared in summer 1968 when a diet containing 15 % sodium chloride was fed at points that were separated from the water supply by distances of up to 5.6 km.... more
The walking and drinking behaviour of Merino and Border Leicester wethers was compared in summer 1968 when a diet containing 15 % sodium chloride was fed at points that were separated from the water supply by distances of up to 5.6 km. All sheep maintained two journeys daily to water until the distance between food and water reached 4.0 km. At this point Merino sheep drank three times every two days and at 4.8 km once a day. Border Leicesters drank twice daily until the distance reached 5.6 km, when they drank once daily. Food intake declined in both breeds as distance from water increased, but water intake was reduced only at the longer distances. When drinking once daily, water intakes were as much as 7 and 10 litres respectively for Merino and Border Leicester sheep. Walking distances reached a maximum of 13.6 and 17.6 km/day respectively for the Merinos and Border Leicesters. The average walking speed of the Merinos (2.51 km/hr) was greater than that of the Border Leicesters (2....
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Abstract. It is very easy to view land degradation and desertification as purely biophysical phenomena for which there are neat technological solutions. Yet millions of real people live in the affected lands, and they both cause land... more
Abstract. It is very easy to view land degradation and desertification as purely biophysical phenomena for which there are neat technological solutions. Yet millions of real people live in the affected lands, and they both cause land degradation and are impacted by it, so scientists and land managers need to find a good balance between reductionist rigor and societal applicability. The concept of Land Degradation Neutral World (LDN) offered great promise to meet the commitments made in the various National Action Plans as a road map for achieving goals for the affected country reports to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The operationalization of LDN is more challenging. We must recognize the consequences of past inaction on land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss. Land degradation plays a key role in this ‘vicious triangle’ of threats to our sustainability. The LDN agenda provides a framework, and commitment to it by all nations affected by land degradation, is the key to successful outcomes by 2030. Adoption of the idea and implementation of measures could lead to reaching LDN, one of the UN’s sustainable development goals that was agreed in 2015, but it won’t be easy and there is an obligation for the richer nations to provide financial and technical support to affected party countries.
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Lessons learned from centuries of management (and mismanagement) have been distilled into principles and practices which form the subject matter for this book
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This paper is about the experience gained in field studies in four provinces in semi-arid Iran. We focus on assessing the flow of ecological goods and services (EG&S) in uplands that are the watersheds. The paper is in three parts.... more
This paper is about the experience gained in field studies in four provinces in semi-arid Iran. We focus on assessing the flow of ecological goods and services (EG&S) in uplands that are the watersheds. The paper is in three parts. Firstly, we describe the geography, demography and climate to provide a setting for the work but we also seek to provide an explanation of the context for the case studies that form the bulk of this paper. In the second part we elaborate on the nature of the EG&S and discuss inter alia the use of indicators by which we gauge the flow rates of EG&S from the land and also briefly discuss the implications for introducing payments for ecosystem services (PES). Mention is made of the internationally-funded MENARID (Middle East and North Africa Regional Program for Integrated Development) with a focus on the Sustainable Watershed sub-project. Lessons can be drawn from this internationally sponsored program. The key constraints to identifying, evaluating and ascertaining the rate of flow of EG&S, especially spatial and temporal, are elaborated. Finally, we present data (both quantitative and qualitative) derived
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The Kobresia meadow in the Tibetan plateau is the world's largest and most unique pastoral alpine ecosystem, forming dense and closed 'lawns' mainly dominated by Kobresia species. Soil cracking induced by overstocking is an important... more
The Kobresia meadow in the Tibetan plateau is the world's largest and most unique pastoral alpine ecosystem, forming dense and closed 'lawns' mainly dominated by Kobresia species. Soil cracking induced by overstocking is an important feature of degraded alpine Kobresia meadows: it cuts the closed, intact rangeland and alters microtopography. However, soil cracks in alpine grasslands of the Tibetan plateau have rarely been reported and the importance of cracking in relation to livestock overgrazing for the degradation and collapse of alpine rangelands has not been taken seriously. In this Perspectives article, we explain the mechanisms of soil crack formation in Kobresia meadows under overgrazing; the ways in which the soil cracks affect the dynamics of hydrological processes and trigger the erosion of Kobresia turfs; and finally the effects on plant community composition and distribution. We outline the importance of recognizing soil cracks as visual indicators and early warning signs of degradation in order to recover alpine Kobresia meadows by reducing stocking rate. The purpose of this article is to emphasize that researchers and managers of alpine rangelands should pay more attention to crack phenomena in an effort to promote sustainable practices and restoration in Kobresia meadowlivestock systems.
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SUMMARYThe effects of ambient temperature on the daily behaviour patterns and water consumption of Border Leicester and Merino wethers were examined in an experiment where food was supplied ad libitum at points ranging from 2·4 to 5·6 km... more
SUMMARYThe effects of ambient temperature on the daily behaviour patterns and water consumption of Border Leicester and Merino wethers were examined in an experiment where food was supplied ad libitum at points ranging from 2·4 to 5·6 km from water. The data were collected during a 12-week period when daily maximum temperatures ranged from 24 °C to 45 °C.At distances where twice-daily drinking appeared normal and maximum air temperatures exceeded 38 °C, Merinos abandoned the afternoon walk to water, and the Border Leicesters either abandoned the walk or reduced consumption. However, until the temperature reached 38 °C water intakes of both breeds were positively related to temperature. Border Leicesters increased consumption at a mean rate of 0·42 ± 0·072 l/head/°C until maximum ambient temperatures approached 38 °C, compared with the Merino rate of 0–17 ± 0·054 l/head/°C.Border Leicesters responded to temperature by drinking earlier in the mornings as minimum overnight temperatures...
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Research Interests: Plant Biology and Ecology
... Loess soils in the area typically contain 7±14% clay, 10±13% ®ne silt, 48±56% silt and 23±30% sand (Fu & Chen, 2000) with erosion rates up to 16,300Mgkm– 2 yr– 1 (Zhang et al., 1990). ... 38 DJ Eldridge and VR Squires Page... more
... Loess soils in the area typically contain 7±14% clay, 10±13% ®ne silt, 48±56% silt and 23±30% sand (Fu & Chen, 2000) with erosion rates up to 16,300Mgkm– 2 yr– 1 (Zhang et al., 1990). ... 38 DJ Eldridge and VR Squires Page 3. ...
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Research Interests: Decision support system, Field Survey, Land Use, South Australia, Soil sciences, and 12 moreManagement System, Carrying Capacity, Vegetative State, Program Design, Management Strategy, Vegetation Cover, Economic Benefit, Soil Water, Botanical Composition, Nutritive Value, Grazing management, and Soil Depth
Informit is an online service offering a wide range of database and full content publication products that deliver the vast majority of Australasian scholarly research to the education, research and business sectors. Informit is the brand... more
Informit is an online service offering a wide range of database and full content publication products that deliver the vast majority of Australasian scholarly research to the education, research and business sectors. Informit is the brand that encompasses RMIT Publishing's online products ...
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1. The introduction of rural reforms including the Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) began in the early 1980s. HCRS was modelled on the successful reform of cropland tenure but its implementation on rangeland was more... more
1. The introduction of rural reforms including the Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) began in the early 1980s. HCRS was modelled on the successful reform of cropland tenure but its implementation on rangeland was more com-plicated and there is room for ...
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1. The introduction of rural reforms including the Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) began in the early 1980s. HCRS was modelled on the successful reform of cropland tenure but its implementation on rangeland was more... more
1. The introduction of rural reforms including the Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) began in the early 1980s. HCRS was modelled on the successful reform of cropland tenure but its implementation on rangeland was more com-plicated and there is room for ...
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1. The introduction of rural reforms including the Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) began in the early 1980s. HCRS was modelled on the successful reform of cropland tenure but its implementation on rangeland was more... more
1. The introduction of rural reforms including the Household Contract Responsibility System (HCRS) began in the early 1980s. HCRS was modelled on the successful reform of cropland tenure but its implementation on rangeland was more com-plicated and there is room for ...
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Abstract: The rural-urban (peri-urban) interface zones are important places that generate demands for ecosystem goods and services (EG & S). Urban regions face transitions in land use that affect ecosystem services (EG & S) and thus human... more
Abstract: The rural-urban (peri-urban) interface zones are important places that generate demands for ecosystem goods and services (EG & S). Urban regions face transitions in land use that affect ecosystem services (EG & S) and thus human wellbeing. Especially in urban areas with high population densities (as in most of China) and high demand for EG & S, the future availability of such services must be considered in order to promote effective and sustainable decision making and prevent further ecosystem degradation. The challenge for local government planners and land managers is to find tools that allow relevant data to be collected and analyzed. Ideally, such tools should be able to give a rapid assessment, and not involve large teams of highly trained personnel
or incur high costs. The paper reports on the development and trial of such a tool. The paper has three main parts. First, we present a brief overview of the current and developing situation in China, in relation to urbanization, population shifts and the creation of peri-urban areas (PUAs). Next, we build on insights from the literature and from discussions with village heads and county- andprefecture-level officials to develop an understanding of their needs for tools to help planning and
land management within the constraints of the national policy. Lastly, a “template” was derived from our multi-method approach that provided a new technical tool for the rapid assessment of the value of EG & S in each of five land use categories. The tool embodies a way to address trade-offs between environmental, social and economic values in the transition zone between rural and urban areas. The tool was trialed in QinBei District in Guangxi Autonomous Region in south China and
judged to be useful and adaptable to other rural–urban regions.
Keywords: pollution; energy; water; food; waste management; degradation; arable land; non-market goods; society; planners; demographics; EG & S
or incur high costs. The paper reports on the development and trial of such a tool. The paper has three main parts. First, we present a brief overview of the current and developing situation in China, in relation to urbanization, population shifts and the creation of peri-urban areas (PUAs). Next, we build on insights from the literature and from discussions with village heads and county- andprefecture-level officials to develop an understanding of their needs for tools to help planning and
land management within the constraints of the national policy. Lastly, a “template” was derived from our multi-method approach that provided a new technical tool for the rapid assessment of the value of EG & S in each of five land use categories. The tool embodies a way to address trade-offs between environmental, social and economic values in the transition zone between rural and urban areas. The tool was trialed in QinBei District in Guangxi Autonomous Region in south China and
judged to be useful and adaptable to other rural–urban regions.
Keywords: pollution; energy; water; food; waste management; degradation; arable land; non-market goods; society; planners; demographics; EG & S
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Front matter from the book published by CRC Press
The book has 20 chapters by leading authors on river basin management and brings to the reader an up to date analysis and provides a window into this important subject.
The book has 20 chapters by leading authors on river basin management and brings to the reader an up to date analysis and provides a window into this important subject.
Many factors (some are beyond human control) influence livestock production in the pastoral regions of China. In the study, we analyzed the influence of a rapidly growing economy, the investment policy frameworks in place, and the... more
Many factors (some are beyond human control) influence livestock production in the pastoral regions of China. In the study, we analyzed the influence of a rapidly growing economy, the investment policy frameworks in place, and the interplay between ecology, sociology and economy on beef and mutton production in pastoral and agro-pastoral land in China. Production in the more humid crop lands, where feedstuffs are readily available, has shifted the production focus to eastern and southern China. Livestock production in the drier pastoral and agro-pastoral zone has increased too at the expense of accelerated rangeland degradation. The paper reviews the development of beef and mutton production in pastoral and the agro-pastoral land in China (1980-2012). We analyze the impact of economic development, urbanization policy and the rapidly rising demand for red meat created by the emerging middle class, national policy directives, and labor availability, against a backdrop of climate change and rangeland resource degradation. We summarize the challenges faced and prospects for beef and mutton production in pastoral and the agro-pastoral land in China
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Synopsis The case for linking the burners of fossil fuel with global efforts to arrest the rate of land degradation is argued. Evidence is presented that fossil fuel burners would benefit from implementing a program of carbon offsets on... more
Synopsis The case for linking the burners of fossil fuel with global efforts to arrest the rate of land degradation is argued. Evidence is presented that fossil fuel burners would benefit from implementing a program of carbon offsets on drylands. About 0.5-1 0 giga ton of carbon can be sequestered annually at a cost per ton of carbon sequestered in the order of $10-18-This compares favorably with costs in alternative carbon offset programs. Key Points 1. The world's drylands (excluding the hyperarid regions) cover 5.2 billion ha and are represented on all continents. Globally non-forested drylands represent 43% of the world's land surface. Most are under some form of human management. 2. There is a case for re-evaluating the role of drylands in the global efforts to prevent the increase in greenhouse gases. Because many drylands are degraded their productivity has declined. Technical solutions exist for restoration of most degraded lands. International efforts to restore the drylands (stop desertification) have been hampered by lack of funds. 3. Drylands have the potential to sequester 0.5-1.0. giga tons of carbon annually if restored to their ecological potential. The money required to do this might come in part from the burners of fossil fuels through a program of carbon offsets. 4. The major utility companies and oil and gas producers need cost effective and ecologically sound carbon offsets to assist with their targets to reduce or remediate carbon dioxide emissions. 5. Biotic carbon offsets are ways and means for linking fossil fuel burners with global efforts to arrest global climate change through a program of revegetation and dryland rehabilitation. The challenge is to devise ways to raise biomass levels to trap and store carbon in the long term.
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Well into the Mesozoic Era, Africa, South America, India and Australia were joined to Antarctica in one supercontinent--Gondwanaland. The northern continents were also joined to form the supercontinent Laurasia. Southern Hemisphere land... more
Well into the Mesozoic Era, Africa, South America, India and Australia were joined to Antarctica in one supercontinent--Gondwanaland. The northern continents were also joined to form the supercontinent Laurasia. Southern Hemisphere land masses, especially Australia, have been characterised by a long period of relative geological stability and a short period of glaciation during the Quaternary. These circumstances have led to the development of quite old landscapes, developed on surfaces subjected to the processes of weathering for millions of
years. Unlike the Gondwanaland continents, much of the Northern Hemisphere has been tectonically active with orogenic
processes producing young uplifted surfaces subjected to active erosion. The Northern Hemisphere has experienced four extensive and intense Pleistocene glaciations. The consequence of these periods of glaciation is that present-day landscapes are substantially the product of climate over the past 10,000 years and commonly have not undergone
extensive weathering.
The applicability therefore of Northern Hemisphere-derived models to explain things as diverse as landforms, stream patterns and processes, soil genesis and ecological theory in the Southern Hemisphere has increasingly come into question. Because southern landscapes have a physiography and palaeohistory quite different from that of the
Northern Hemisphere, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to develop new concepts and theories which may have
implications for the whole globe.
years. Unlike the Gondwanaland continents, much of the Northern Hemisphere has been tectonically active with orogenic
processes producing young uplifted surfaces subjected to active erosion. The Northern Hemisphere has experienced four extensive and intense Pleistocene glaciations. The consequence of these periods of glaciation is that present-day landscapes are substantially the product of climate over the past 10,000 years and commonly have not undergone
extensive weathering.
The applicability therefore of Northern Hemisphere-derived models to explain things as diverse as landforms, stream patterns and processes, soil genesis and ecological theory in the Southern Hemisphere has increasingly come into question. Because southern landscapes have a physiography and palaeohistory quite different from that of the
Northern Hemisphere, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to develop new concepts and theories which may have
implications for the whole globe.
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An unfortunate by-product of industrialization has been the contamination of soil, sediment and water resources with toxic chemicals, including synthetic chemicals, metals and metalloids. The primary sources of these contaminants has... more
An unfortunate by-product of industrialization has been the contamination of soil, sediment and water resources with toxic chemicals, including synthetic chemicals, metals and metalloids. The primary sources of these contaminants has been aerial deposition from burning fossil fuels and from mining and smelting activities as well as direct application to soil as part of crop and livestock production. These chemicals become of concern to society when they begin to affect human health or when they impact adversely on agriculture. At some sites e.g. around lead smelters or some open cut mines the contamination has had a long history and the problem is serious . Treatment of contaminated soils (remediation) represents complex and challenging problems. Remediation measures, including biodegradation and bioremediation, are considered in this paper and the future prospects for long-term and cost-effective solutions to a range of toxic hazards are outlined here.
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In many parts of China, rapid economic growth, socio-economic inequality, and environmental degradation (air, water, soil) are undermining social stability and sustainable urbanization. Ruralurban migration is the main factor contributing... more
In many parts of China, rapid economic growth, socio-economic inequality, and environmental degradation (air, water, soil) are undermining social stability and sustainable urbanization. Ruralurban migration is the main factor contributing to urban population growth. Economic opportunity in urban areas is the main ‘pull factor’ but government policies provide a ‘push factor’. A model of the relationship over time of the rural sector and the urban sectors, mainly relating to the focus on manufacturing and the services sector, is discussed. Each sector provides a market for the other. We use three cameos of different types of urban-rural development taking examples from a Prefecture-level city of about 500,000 population located in Guangxi Autonomous Region in south east China. We analyze the infrastructure plan and land use planning in respect to the impact on labor, investment and urban growth.
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The collection of fourteen papers presented here are valuable reviews of scientific knowledge and the various interventions on the arid lands. The arid landscapes, the world over, also include people and so papers on social aspects should... more
The collection of fourteen papers presented here are valuable reviews of scientific knowledge and the various interventions on the arid lands. The arid landscapes, the world over, also include people and so papers on social aspects should have received more attention than in the present Special Issue (Squires et al., 2018). However, we believe that the reader will be richly rewarded from the information contained in this collection. We hope that this special issue will be appealing to both experts and practitioners in this area and encourage further insightful studies in near future.
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Abstract: Rangelands play an important role in the livelihood of local communities and wildlife. In this paper, however, the three main roles of rangelands in low rainfall areas will be discussed in the following sections: (i) as a feed... more
Abstract: Rangelands play an important role in the livelihood of local communities and
wildlife. In this paper, however, the three main roles of rangelands in low rainfall areas
will be discussed in the following sections: (i) as a feed source for livestock production;
(ii) a base of survival for local communities, their institutions and management practices
they developed to overcome environmental variability and (iii) as a means of avoiding
conflicts between herders and farmers. This paper is about local communities of people
who live in and get their livelihoods from drylands. On a global basis they number
hundreds of millions of people with thousands of millions of livestock. The focus is on
the human dimension of rangelands i.e. indigenous communities, local institutions and
resource management systems.
Key words: Development, tenure, common property, privatization, traditional institutions,
pastoralism.
wildlife. In this paper, however, the three main roles of rangelands in low rainfall areas
will be discussed in the following sections: (i) as a feed source for livestock production;
(ii) a base of survival for local communities, their institutions and management practices
they developed to overcome environmental variability and (iii) as a means of avoiding
conflicts between herders and farmers. This paper is about local communities of people
who live in and get their livelihoods from drylands. On a global basis they number
hundreds of millions of people with thousands of millions of livestock. The focus is on
the human dimension of rangelands i.e. indigenous communities, local institutions and
resource management systems.
Key words: Development, tenure, common property, privatization, traditional institutions,
pastoralism.
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This paper examines China’s overseas land-based investments in agriculture and has a threefold contribution to existing literature. First, it takes stock of what we know so far about the determinants of ‘land grab’. Second, it presents a... more
This paper examines China’s overseas land-based investments in agriculture and has a threefold contribution to existing literature. First, it takes stock of what we know so far about the determinants of ‘land grab’. Second, it presents a picture of sustainable and equitable development of Foreign Land Acquisitions (FLAs) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Third, policy syndromes are examined and policy implications discussed. China’s overseas land-based investments are part of what have been termed developmental outsourcing. Different from a conventional interpretation of outsourcing, this concept of developmental out-sourcing refers to off-shoring in which the state plays a key role in planning, intervention and regulation. This paper does not aim to provide definitive answers, yet intends to scrutinize the data and re-examine the ‘land grabbing’ discourse, with special reference to Central Asia. This will be done by reviewing the literature on land-based investments in terms of incidence, size and geographical dispersion over the period 1949-2011.
I review the relevant literature on the determinants of FLA essential for a good understanding of FLAs and FDIs. I discuss equity and sustainability in land grab, with particular emphasis on food security and sovereignty; water and energy security; environmental protection; socio-economic protection and unbalanced geopolitical power. Policy syndromes and implications are related to peasant rights, water and energy issues, food security, environmental and labour laws, transparency and development, and employment opportunities. There is an attempt to reach a conclusion about recent developments.
Author: Formerly, University of Adelaide, Australia.
I review the relevant literature on the determinants of FLA essential for a good understanding of FLAs and FDIs. I discuss equity and sustainability in land grab, with particular emphasis on food security and sovereignty; water and energy security; environmental protection; socio-economic protection and unbalanced geopolitical power. Policy syndromes and implications are related to peasant rights, water and energy issues, food security, environmental and labour laws, transparency and development, and employment opportunities. There is an attempt to reach a conclusion about recent developments.
Author: Formerly, University of Adelaide, Australia.
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This chapter from Squires 2012 'Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia: Balancing Livelihoods, Biodiversity and Land Protection" is a detailed case study of Tajikistan, one of the Central Asian countries, and has three main sections: (1) a... more
This chapter from Squires 2012 'Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia: Balancing Livelihoods, Biodiversity and Land Protection" is a detailed case study of Tajikistan, one of the Central Asian countries, and has three main sections: (1) a macroeconomic analysis of the rangeland/livestock subsector of Tajikistan's agricultural sector, (2) an assessment of challenges and opportunities, and (3) strategic recommendations for long-term and operational priorities for development of the rangeland-based livestock industry. The importance of the livestock economy to the rangelands is clear. The current and potential importance of the pasturelands/rangelands to the current and future Tajikistan economy cannot be overstated. Speci fi cally the rangelands, through livestock mainly, are a source of direct rural income support for over four million people as well as providing much of the nation's meat and milk requirements. It will be productive developments within the livestock sector that will largely in fl uence and determine whether sustainable development will be possible in Tajikistan and several neighboring countries (Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, parts of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and northwest China). The assured future development of the rangelands requires a clear and strategic vision of their role within the overall economic fabric of Tajikistan. Because raising livestock on rangelands is the prime agricultural system and source of outputs for the rangelands that impacts directly and indirectly on almost all of the Tajik population , the restoration and maintenance of the rangeland resource should be the key focus of implementation scenarios. Livestock productivity can be increased by
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This is a chapter from the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems EOLSS Volume 5.35 Range and Animal Sciences and Resources Management (2011). The volume is edited by Victor Squires. Rangelands are those parts of the world where pastoral... more
This is a chapter from the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems EOLSS Volume 5.35 Range and Animal Sciences and Resources Management (2011). The volume is edited by Victor Squires. Rangelands are those parts of the world where pastoral people graze native and domestic animals on native vegetation. But rangelands resources are also utilized by people who harvest products including water, fossil fuels, mineral ores and other saleable commodities as well as “invisible’ ecosystem services. It is important to realize that rangeland resources in developing countries provide more than just forage for livestock. In practice, they provide foods, fuels, medicines and building materials on which poor people depend. Current trends in many areas of the world show that livestock raising is steadily eroding these communal rangelands, “grassland” and “forest” resources to the advantage of richer stock owners, farmers and at the expense of the poorest groups.
The socio-economic changes that profoundly affect herder communities are both effects and causes of the degradation of rangelands. The coherence and homogeneity of herder communities have disintegrated as new employment opportunities and production practices widen income differentials between households and disperse economic interests and labor resources among many sectors besides livestock.
Many people have an interest in rangeland issues (not only rangeland users). Their well-being and that of the rangelands are intricately interwoven. How should we consider the "people issues" of the rangelands such as mobility and migration, regional determination and the relationships between culture and landscapes in building the future?
There are a few key questions that have been asked and will continue to be asked until some answers are found.
• How do we bring together the issues of vegetation, grazing, resource accounting, biodiversity, people and economics at the enterprise level?
• How do we adapt management to different tenure systems?
• What is the role of subsistence enterprises in a market economy.
Decisions made today on how to tackle these problems will have long-lasting implications for ecosystems and the livelihoods of people that depend on them. This paper canvasses the major issues
The socio-economic changes that profoundly affect herder communities are both effects and causes of the degradation of rangelands. The coherence and homogeneity of herder communities have disintegrated as new employment opportunities and production practices widen income differentials between households and disperse economic interests and labor resources among many sectors besides livestock.
Many people have an interest in rangeland issues (not only rangeland users). Their well-being and that of the rangelands are intricately interwoven. How should we consider the "people issues" of the rangelands such as mobility and migration, regional determination and the relationships between culture and landscapes in building the future?
There are a few key questions that have been asked and will continue to be asked until some answers are found.
• How do we bring together the issues of vegetation, grazing, resource accounting, biodiversity, people and economics at the enterprise level?
• How do we adapt management to different tenure systems?
• What is the role of subsistence enterprises in a market economy.
Decisions made today on how to tackle these problems will have long-lasting implications for ecosystems and the livelihoods of people that depend on them. This paper canvasses the major issues
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An unfortunate by-product of industrialization has been the contamination of soil, sediment, and water resources with toxic chemicals, including synthetic chemicals, metals and metalloids. The outlook for phytoremediation has been... more
An unfortunate by-product of industrialization has been the contamination of soil, sediment, and water resources with toxic chemicals, including synthetic chemicals, metals and metalloids. The outlook for phytoremediation has been assessed as having three main options: (i) contaminated soils can be physically stabilized by the establishment of a vegetation resistant to the contaminant in surplus so that the contaminated soil cannot be transported off-site by water and/or wind erosion. (ii) Improving the complexing capacity of the soil can diminish the solubility of some contaminants, including heavy metals, by supply of calcium fertilizer or by addition of adsorbing agents. In this case the soil can be used for siivicultural purposes. In cases of high degrees of contamination it can be risky to use the plant materials for animal fodder. (iii) Use of contaminant-resistant plants e.g. those that have an affinity to the contaminant, often a heavy metal e.g. selenium. This approach involves removing the biomass and with it the contaminant. It is a continuing process and may be slow. The degree of contamination, the form of the contaminant, the surface area involved and the soil volume will be important determinants of success of this approach.
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In the first comparisons the period of deferment varied from 5 to 40 days. First-year and cumulative effects were assessed by measuring pasture productivity. Data were drawn from pastures on three contrasting sites but, essentially, they... more
In the first comparisons the period of deferment varied from 5 to 40 days. First-year and cumulative effects were assessed by measuring pasture productivity. Data were drawn from pastures on three contrasting sites but, essentially, they suggest a similar conclusion viz: the penalties associated with reducing the deferment period to 10 days (the emergence time for pasture species) are not great, The major effect of deferment was to increase the amount of forage on offer in the autumnwinter period. Winter forage yield was about five times higher on the 40-day treatment 2360+146 kg/ha) than on the lo-day treatment (491284) kg/ha) in the second year but spring yields were similar on all treatments,
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... Cultural transfer (learned behaviour) from ewes to lambs through successive generations has been shown to be a factor in home range formation among hill country sheep ... NEED FOR FUTURE WORK Much of the published work on domestic... more
... Cultural transfer (learned behaviour) from ewes to lambs through successive generations has been shown to be a factor in home range formation among hill country sheep ... NEED FOR FUTURE WORK Much of the published work on domestic animal behaviour has come ...
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Dye-banding as a technique for measuring annual wool growth rhythms was tested for a two year period on Merino wethers grazing irrigated pastures at Deniliquin. A comparison was made between dye-banding and mid-side sampling in one... more
Dye-banding as a technique for measuring annual wool growth rhythms was tested for a two year period on Merino wethers grazing irrigated pastures at Deniliquin. A comparison was made between dye-banding and mid-side sampling in one experiment. Results from the two methods are highly correlated (r = +0.88 : P<0.01). The data reported permit a comparison of staple length, fibre volume and weight (by mid-side sampling) as measures of seasonal wool growth. Since wool production is directly proportional to fibre volume it is suggested that both mid-side sampling and dye-banding should be judged on the basis of their correspondence to measured fibre volumes.
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Three herbicides, 2,2- DPA (2,2-dichloropropzonzc acid), diquat dibromide (9, l0-dihydro-8a, 10a-dizonia phenanthrene dibromide) and paraqmt di (methyl sulphate) (1,l-dimethl-4,4,-bipryridylium di (methyl sulphate) ) were tested with a... more
Three herbicides, 2,2- DPA (2,2-dichloropropzonzc acid), diquat dibromide (9, l0-dihydro-8a, 10a-dizonia phenanthrene dibromide) and paraqmt di (methyl sulphate) (1,l-dimethl-4,4,-bipryridylium di (methyl sulphate) ) were tested with a view to controlling barley grass (Hordeum leporinum Link) in clover pastures. The tolerance of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.) to sodium 2,2-DPA was determined. 2,2-DPA caused severe damage to subterranean clover (resulting in the loss of one season's production) and slight damage to white clover at a rate which controlled the grass-2 lb an acre acid equivalents. Diquat dibromide applied at 2 lb an acre (active cation) in mid winter gave complete control of barley grass in a subterranean clover pasture. Springfields of clover on treated plots were double those of the unseated control. Paraquat di (methyl sulphate) gave satisfactory control of barley, grass at 0.5 lb an acre, as an early post emergenc...
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The response of an irrigated annual pasture to gypsum (calcium sulphate) was assessed in terms of pasture yield and animal production on a heavy clay soil (Riverina clay). Gypsum was either broadcast (4480 lb an acre) before sowing or... more
The response of an irrigated annual pasture to gypsum (calcium sulphate) was assessed in terms of pasture yield and animal production on a heavy clay soil (Riverina clay). Gypsum was either broadcast (4480 lb an acre) before sowing or dissolved (560 lb an acre) in the water at the first irrigation. Both methods of application increased seedling emergence and pasture production. In the first year of grazing at seven sheep per acre the untreated pasture barely survived, whereas the treated pastures were satisfactory. After four years of grazing, spring yields of the untreated pastures equaled gypsum treated pastures, but only when the stocking rate of the controls had been reduced by three sheep per acre for nearly 18 months. The proportion of sown species was still lower than on treated pasture. The large differences in pasture production were reflected in liveweight gains and wool production an acre. In the final phases stocking rates of five sheep per acre on untreated plots and ei...
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A brief Profile/cv for Dr Professor Squires with list of books and other details such as career highlights, awards etc.
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DETAILS OF LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER OF VICTOR SQUIRES
Urban areas and especially the peri-urban interface zones are important places that
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The continued provision of ecosystem goods and services (EG&S) is vital to the achievement of the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) agreed by the UN and to the welfare of the global population. This SI will canvass opinion about and... more
The continued provision of ecosystem goods and services (EG&S) is vital to the achievement of the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) agreed by the UN and to the welfare of the global population. This SI will canvass opinion about and explore barriers to achieving this outcome.
this is an open invitation to submit a paper to this Special issue see the webpage for more detail
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues
/Ecosystem_Services_in_Land
Ecosystem services are much studied and there is growing interest in the future global trends in population pressure, demographics (like mass migration and aging), climate change, economics, geopolitics, the UN SDGs. We are interested in projecting current trajectories into the future past 2030 past 2050. We see that continued provisioning of ecosystems goods and services will become an enormous challenge. We invite people with views and ideas about these matters to join us and contribute to the Special Issue of Land.
Soils have been the basis of our food supply since the dawn of agriculture; they also provide other “free” ecosystem services such as regulating water and nutrient availability, and are the largest single store of terrestrial carbon, regulating the climate. In the past, as soils came under pressure from nutrient depletion, erosion, and/or salinity accumulation, farmers moved on or invested effort to restore productivity to the extent that income from this could profitably cover the cost of the desired food and fiber etc., but not the other “free” ecosystems services. It is now widely recognized that this practice of “moving on” is no longer realistically possible, and that additional investment is required to reverse the decline and other unfunded ecosystem services, collectively referred to as ecosystem goods and services (EG&S).
There are a number of market failures here that are addressed in this Special Issue of Land:
A poor capacity to connect markets for these other services (buyers of carbon and bio-diversity credits, etc.) to the land users who can produce them, and to monitor and account for the transactions to buyers to mediate supply.
The slow dissemination of knowledge of how these ecosystems services are monetized is also relevant to the production of ecosystem goods, food, and fiber, etc., and case studies of successful applications of relevant technology to many land users who might take them up.
A poor capacity to develop and successfully communicate policy incentives and market systems relevant to the socio-cultural and institutional circumstance of many areas where these might be produced, or their production increased.
Some discussion points that might generate a paper!
Describing the connections between marketable ecosystem goods; food and fiber etc. and the other “free” ecosystem services available in different land systems; arable dry and irrigated lands, dry pastures, grasslands, and arid lands mediated by livestock and other income sources, and conceptual ways to value these EG&S.
Describing successful case studies of activities to rehabilitate land for EG&S in different land systems.
Developing or reporting on institutional processes and incentives to plan, mobilize, and effectively monitor rehabilitation plans and resources from international to regional and local levels where action is to take place, in different socio-cultural and institutional circumstances. These could serve as a series of primers for interested international financial institutions, the private sector, and specialized ecosystem merchants.
Identifying and discussing key driving forces, trade-offs, and synergies of ecosystem services.
Discussing the vulnerability of ecosystem services provisioning to the spread of urbanization.
Check https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/Ecosystem_Services_in_Land
this is an open invitation to submit a paper to this Special issue see the webpage for more detail
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues
/Ecosystem_Services_in_Land
Ecosystem services are much studied and there is growing interest in the future global trends in population pressure, demographics (like mass migration and aging), climate change, economics, geopolitics, the UN SDGs. We are interested in projecting current trajectories into the future past 2030 past 2050. We see that continued provisioning of ecosystems goods and services will become an enormous challenge. We invite people with views and ideas about these matters to join us and contribute to the Special Issue of Land.
Soils have been the basis of our food supply since the dawn of agriculture; they also provide other “free” ecosystem services such as regulating water and nutrient availability, and are the largest single store of terrestrial carbon, regulating the climate. In the past, as soils came under pressure from nutrient depletion, erosion, and/or salinity accumulation, farmers moved on or invested effort to restore productivity to the extent that income from this could profitably cover the cost of the desired food and fiber etc., but not the other “free” ecosystems services. It is now widely recognized that this practice of “moving on” is no longer realistically possible, and that additional investment is required to reverse the decline and other unfunded ecosystem services, collectively referred to as ecosystem goods and services (EG&S).
There are a number of market failures here that are addressed in this Special Issue of Land:
A poor capacity to connect markets for these other services (buyers of carbon and bio-diversity credits, etc.) to the land users who can produce them, and to monitor and account for the transactions to buyers to mediate supply.
The slow dissemination of knowledge of how these ecosystems services are monetized is also relevant to the production of ecosystem goods, food, and fiber, etc., and case studies of successful applications of relevant technology to many land users who might take them up.
A poor capacity to develop and successfully communicate policy incentives and market systems relevant to the socio-cultural and institutional circumstance of many areas where these might be produced, or their production increased.
Some discussion points that might generate a paper!
Describing the connections between marketable ecosystem goods; food and fiber etc. and the other “free” ecosystem services available in different land systems; arable dry and irrigated lands, dry pastures, grasslands, and arid lands mediated by livestock and other income sources, and conceptual ways to value these EG&S.
Describing successful case studies of activities to rehabilitate land for EG&S in different land systems.
Developing or reporting on institutional processes and incentives to plan, mobilize, and effectively monitor rehabilitation plans and resources from international to regional and local levels where action is to take place, in different socio-cultural and institutional circumstances. These could serve as a series of primers for interested international financial institutions, the private sector, and specialized ecosystem merchants.
Identifying and discussing key driving forces, trade-offs, and synergies of ecosystem services.
Discussing the vulnerability of ecosystem services provisioning to the spread of urbanization.
Check https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/Ecosystem_Services_in_Land
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CALL FOR PAPERS for SPECIAL ISSUE OF LAND (mdpi journal) on “Ecosystem services provisioning from Land” Closing date for submissions and other details can be found on... more
CALL FOR PAPERS for SPECIAL ISSUE OF LAND (mdpi journal) on “Ecosystem services provisioning from Land” Closing date for submissions and other details can be found on
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/Ecosystem_Services_in_Land
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/land/special_issues/Ecosystem_Services_in_Land
Research Interests: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function, Ecosystems Services, Rural Planning and Development, Urbanization and Environmental Issues, Land Degradation and Land Use and Land Cover Change, and 3 moreFormation of Soil, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Processes and Ecological Restoration, and urban-rural interface (URI)
This special issue will canvass important aspects of how ecosystem services provisioning can continue in the face of numerous challenges (population pressure, urbanization, climate change, land gradation etc).
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The continued provision of ecosystem goods and services (EG&S) is vital to the achievement of the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) agreed by the UN and to the welfare of the global population. This SI will canvass opinion about and... more
The continued provision of ecosystem goods and services (EG&S) is vital to the achievement of the Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) agreed by the UN and to the welfare of the global population. This SI will canvass opinion about and explore barriers to achieving this outcome. an
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This is an update of my cv with a list of major publications
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Updated cv
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A cumulative tally of chapters 40,000 downloaded from my 4 Springer books
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Squires AM is a desert ecology explorer, educator and researcher. At a time when the world is crying out for a greater understanding of Food Security and Land Usage under conditions of Climate Change, Dr Squires' work provides a depth and... more
Squires AM is a desert ecology explorer, educator and researcher. At a time when the world is crying out for a greater understanding of Food Security and Land Usage under conditions of Climate Change, Dr Squires' work provides a depth and breadth of critical insight. A former Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources in the University of Adelaide, Dr Squires is an internationally recognised dryland management expert with a focus on ecological restoration of degraded areas and on desert ecology. He has contributed his knowledge through academic and practical fields, working directly with peers and mentoring students in desert or degraded rangelands in most of the main dry-lands of the world, covering 35 countries on every continent except Antarctica. Dr Squires work extends across the environments of China, Mongolia, East Africa, North Africa, Iran and Central Asia. He has authored and edited more than 20 books and peer reviewed over 180 papers. He has undertaken more than 10 major projects in the northwest provinces of China, especially in Xinjiang, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Gansu, and in neighbouring Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. Having first travelled to China under the auspices of the Australian Academy of Science and the Academia Sinica in 1985, he lived in western China for 6 years. Dr Squires has been a regular contributor to the World Bank, to UN agencies including the United Nations Convention for Combating Desertification, and to the United Nations Environment Program. He has also contributed to the 'World Atlas of Desertification' and influential work with the Asian Development Bank. Another notable achievement during Dr Squires career was voluntarily editing, and commissioning the authors of seven volumes of the UNESCO Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems, involving over 1400 pages and 72 authors.