At A Glance

The Response

The project focuses on integrated management of mountain peat lands, in the two main regions where these occur in China. The project work in Ruoergai Marshes on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau and the Altai Mountains in NW China and it will demonstrate practical ways in which biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem services can be supported by different economic sectors and local communities. After collation of available biodiversity and socio-economic information and collection of additional data, conservation strategies will be prepared with and formally approved by local governments, and then implemented. Part of the solution to the problems will involve changes in infrastructure planning and grazing management, through adjustment of livelihoods. Techniques for restoring peat lands damaged by old drainage schemes will also be demonstrated and implemented.

Project Focus

Ø  Integrated management approaches to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services of mountain wetlands will be demonstrated, recognized and implemented by relevant sectors and stakeholders；
Ø  The key economic sectors and local communities are directly involved in the activities and will support the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services of the mountain peat lands in Ruoergai Plateau and Altai mountains；

Cooperating Agency
Wetlands International

Partners
1. Global Environment Centre
2. Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald
3. Gansu Wildlife Administration Bureau
4. Sichuan Provincial Workstation of Wildlife Resources Survey Conversation and Management
5. Xinjiang Altaishan Forestry Bureau

The Challenge

China has about 6 million ha of mountain wetlands of which the largest majority is peat lands. In the peat lands dead plant materials accumulate over time to form layers of peat or organic soil of up to 10 meters thickness. The layers function like a sponge consisting of more than 90% water. The peat lands provide key habitats for endangered wildlife species such as black-necked cranes, rare fish, amphibian and plant species and they form major reservoirs of water maintaining water levels in streams, rivers and adjacent grasslands. The peat lands do also provide important national and international eco-services in storing and sequestrating huge amounts of carbon.
The peat lands, however, are negatively impacted by unsustainable farming practices (drainage, over-grazing), mining and infrastructure development and by climate change.