title: Assessing the ecological security of the Tibetan plateau: methodology and a case study for Lhaze County.
abstract: A system for assessing the ecological security of Lhaze County in China's Tibetan Autonomous Region was developed using a pressure-state-response model and the analytic hierarchy process. We then used this model to comprehensively evaluate the status of ecological security in Lhaze County. Our results showed that the ecological environment in Lhaze County has deteriorated from an 'early stages of damage status' in the 1980s to 'moderately damaged status' today. This deterioration has become a major barrier to local economic development and social advancement. Natural and social aspects related to the population explosion, resource exploitation, and climate change that led to this ecological deterioration are discussed. Furthermore, we have suggested proposals for improving the ecological environment that include controlling population growth and enhancing the system of laws that protect the environment, upgrading 3 882.6 ha of low-yield farmland, planting 2 425.8, 548.8, and 1 207.4 ha of shelter belts for farmland protection, soil and water conservation, and fuelwood, respectively, and seeding 2 358.1 ha of artificial grassland. In the meantime, we propose strengthening the controls that limit soil and water loss, and optimizing industrial sectors that aspire to achieve high-efficiency, ecologically responsible agriculture.
authors.affiliation: China Center of Desert Research at Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Zhi
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xue-Yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Hai-Kun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Yong-Qiu
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Gui-Yong
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chun-Lai
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shang-Yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004463:Ecology; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008019:Life Style; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011640:Public Policy; D012987:Soil; D018609:Tibet; D013997:Time Factors; D014881:Water Supply; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D012987:Soil