Restoring extremely degraded alpine grassland (Heitutan) for restructuring the social-ecological system on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau—A review

Abstract

Heitutan, a term referring to extremely degraded alpine grassland on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, epitomizes a critical challenge in global ecological restoration. Likened to a “cancer cell,” Heitutan can gradually encroach on healthy grassland. Its widespread occurrence on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau originates from the deep-rooted paradox between natural and socio-economic systems in alpine pastoral areas, which results in the structural and functional collapse of the ecosystem. Consequently, the ecological restoration of Heitutan involves the reconstruction of an integrated social-ecological system. From this perspective, this review synthesizes current understanding of Heitutan's formation mechanisms, restoration approaches, post-restoration management models, and pertinent ecological ethics. We highlight that enhancing the scalability of in situ-based restoration technologies, along with strengthening socio-economic tolerance for trial-and-error and adaptive capacity within restoration zones, is vital for successful restoration. For the realistic requirement of long-term restoration in the cold and high-altitude region, we propose establishing a “Heitutan-restoration grassland” system through reseeding with perennial native plants as a sustainable and practical framework. This system provides a viable pathway to combat grassland degradation. It enables government investment to effectively integrate the ecological construction with pastoral development within the Heitutan restoration engineering on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

Keywords

alpine grassland restoration / ecological justice / grassland degradation / grassland-livestock equilibrium / Heitutan / herder livelihood / social-ecological system coupling / sustainable development

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