SUMAMAD Activities

Sustainable Management of the Restored Hunshandake Sandland:

Basic Scientific Research and Income Generation

Progress Report of SUMAMAD Activities

2011

Image © Thomas Schaaf

Sustainable Management of Marginal Drylands (SUMAMAD) (Phase 2) Hunshandake Sand area/Xilin Gol Biosphere Reserve in China Annual Report for the Year of 2011

1. Project Site Information a. Name of project site Hunshandake Sand area/Xilin Gol Biosphere Reserve in China b. Name of Project Sustainable Management of the Restored Hunshandake Sandland: Basic Scientific Research and Income Generation c. Partner Institution Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Remin University of China, Shandong Agriculture University, Hebei Agriculture University d. Team leader and deputy team leader

Professor Jiang Gaoming, Ph.D Dr Liu Menzhen Team leader Associate professor State Key Laboratory of Vegetation Deputy team leader Science and Environmental Change State Key Laboratory of Vegetation Institute of Botany Science and Environmental Change Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Chinese Academy of Sciences 100093, Beijing 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan P. R. China 100093 Beijing Tel: +8610 62836286 P.R. China Fax: +8610 62590843 Tel.: +8610 62836506 Mobile: 15801536801 Fax: +8610 62830843 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

e. Project team members

Dr Zheng Yanhai Dr Yu Shunli Associate Professor of the Institute of Assistant Professor of the Institute of Botany Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences

Dr Li Yonggeng Mr Wei Jiguang Associate Professor of the Institute of Doctoral candidate of the Institute of Botany Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences

Professor Ma Zhong Miss Li Caihong Director of Environmental School of Doctoral candidate of the Institute of the Remin University of China Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Dr Wang Xiqin Associate professor Mr Li Yong Environmental School of the Remin Doctoral candidate of the Institute of University of China Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Dr Ning Tangyuan Associate professor of the Shandong Miss Wang Binxue Agriculture University Master student of the Institute of Botany Mr Wu Guanglei Chinese Academy of Sciences Doctoral candidate of the Shandong Agriculture University Miss Meng Jie Master student of the Institute of Professor Li Yuling Botany Heibei Agriculture University Chinese Academy of Sciences

2 Executive Summary

In 2011, four scientific researches activities were undertaken on the sustainable use of natural resources in the Hunshandake Sandland: a) The first activity comprised sampling and chemical analyses of nutrients in feeds consumed by free-range chickens. b) The second identified feed resources for free-range chickens in the Sandland. Higher selective feeding was noted for plants from the Chenopodiaceae, Leguminosae and Compositae families, and lower selective feeding for species from the Gramineous family. c) The third monitored changes in net primary production (NPP) of sandland after the shift of land use, by conducting two north–south transects (5 km long and 100 m, perpendicular to the main sand ridges, during the growing season. d) The fourth ascertained land-use patterns by using satellite images, taken with GIS technology, to calculate different land coverage (e.g., meadow, steppe, spare elm tree, desert, crop farm).

Based on the success of the SUMAMAD project and the ten-year restoration of the degraded Hunshandake Sandland ecosystem, the project team proposed an ambitious plan: to establish the largest Eco-husbandry Industry Demonstration Region in China’s grassland. This motion was fully discussed at different levels by the Director of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Deputy President of CAS, and involved

dialogue between officials of the Life Science Bureau of CAS and the Xiligol League of Inner Mongolia, and noted scientists from different research institutes and universities.

The new land-use patterns now include chicken farming, baby cattle breeding and organic tofu production, each of which has have been tested with five families. Ordinary families in Bayinhushu Gacha have 2000 mu (1 ha=15 mu) of grassland. This triple land-use pattern occupies merely 5%, 10% and 15% of the families’ land areas, respectively for chicken farming, baby cattle breeding and organic tofu production. However, the income increased from 50% to 100%. The 15 families are basically satisfied with the resulting income, even though their land was used for other purposes such as biodiversity and carbon fixation.

A national seminar was held in Beijing in 2011, with delegates from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Agriculture Academy of Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Lanzhou University, China Agriculture University, Arizona State University (USA), and a reporter from the online news site, Science Times. The main topic was the establishment of an eco-husbandry special region in Inner Mongolia to enhance the sustainable development of the region’s economy and society. Noted scientists, including two academics specializing in China’s grassland research and ecology studies, attended the national seminar.

Six research papers together with four media reports concerning the achievements of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake Sandland project have been published. Although there remain difficulties in conducting the new income-generation activities, an increasing number of local people and even local officials will hopefully become involved once the government realizes the importance of the demonstration project, particularly if the State Council accepts the recommendation of the scientists from the SUMAMAD project.

3. Project Activities in 2011 3.1. Fostering scientific drylands research

3.1.1 Sampling and chemical analysis of nutrients in feeds consumed by free-range chickens

An innovative experiment in improving dryland livestock production has been conducted since 2005 in the project site of Hunshandake Sandland. According to the main finding of SUMAMAD Phase I, the sandland could be restored by natural processes. However, the key to the sustainable development of husbandry and local society is to use less land while producing greater profit. A solution was therefore proposed to replace cattle and goat with poultry in grassland. The hypothesis is that poultry causes less destruction to the sandland and creates higher economic feedback. Grassland not only provides free space for poultry, but also natural feeds. It was therefore crucial to know what kind of nutrients from what kind of herb species the free-range chickens consumed. During 2011, the project teams sampled in particular, herb species, and chemically analysed the nutrients found in different organs (e.g. leaves, seeds and twigs).

Some 15 native herbs were common in the free-range chicken farming experimental plots. Ten species were sampled: Iris lacteal var. Chinensis, Astragalus adsurgens, Medicago lupulina, Taraxacum mongolicum, Artemisia tanacetifolia, Thermopsis lanceolata, Potentulla sericea, Carex duriuscula, Ranunculus japonicus, Leymus chinensis. Five hundred grams of each of the species was sampled and sundried in the grassland. However, the samples were dried in an electric stove at 80 °C prior to chemical analysis (Figure 1). All the samples were analysed for water content, crude protein content, crude fat content, nitrogen-free extract, coarse fibre content and nitrogen free extract content and ash. Each analysis was undertaken three times.

Figure 1. Chemical analysis of the plants samples (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming).

Free-range chickens have strong selective feeding behaviours with regard to grassland species. They primarily prefer grass blades, but have different selective feeding patterns for common plants growing in the Hunshandake sandland, in particular, higher selective feeding on plants from the Chenopodiaceae, Leguminosae and Compositae families, and lower selective feeding on plants from the Gramineous family.

The feeding behaviours of free-range chicken demonstrated a close relationship between feeding amounts and chemical content. Except for coarse fibre, which displayed a negative correlation, there were significantly positive relations among grass-feeding amounts and crude protein, crude fat and nitrogen free extract contents (Figure 2).

蛋白质含量（%）脂肪含量（ %） 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 2 4 6 8 a b

(g/d) 2 2 4 R = 0.463 R = 0.378 P < 0.01 P < 0.01

日食草量 2

8 c d 2 2 R = 0.754 R = 0.668 6 P < 0.01 P < 0.01 (g/d) 4

日食草量 2

10 15 20 25 30 35 30 35 40 45 50

粗纤维含量 (%) 碳水化合物（ %）

Figure 2. Correlation between: feeding amount and the content of crude protein content (a), crude fat content nitrogen free extract (b), coarse fibre content (c) and nitrogen free extract content (d).

Table 1. Comparison of free-range chicken feedstuffs by species and plant

Number Family name Plant name Daily feedstuffs（g/each） 1 Astragalus adsurgens 5.89 ± 0.484(a) 2 Medicago lupulina 6.75 ± 0.144(a) 3 Caragana microphylia 0.33 ± 0.096(c) 4 Leguminosae Hedysarum laeve 0.38 ± 0.073(c) 5 Thermopsis lanceolata 0.78 ± 0.088(c) 6 Vicia sepium 1.80 ± 0.153(b) 7 Leymus chinensis 0.80 ± 0.115(a) 8 Puccinellia tenuiflora 1.50 ± 0.115(a) 9 Gramineae Lolium perenne L. 1.00 ± 0.347(a) 10 Cleistogenes squarrosa 0.90 ± 0.058(a) 11 Setaria viridis 0.89 ± 0.075(a) 12 Artemisia frigida 0(d) 13 Artemisia ordosica 0(d) 14 Taraxacum officinale 7.11 ± 0.131(a) Compositae 15 Echinops latifolius 1.70 ± 0.166(b) 16 Artemisia tanacetifolia 1.15 ± 0.076(b) 17 Artemisia subulata 0.75 ± 0.115(c) 18 Chenopodium glacilima 8.50 ± 0.289(a) 19 Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium acuminatum 6.17 ± 0.441(b) 20 Bassia dasyphylla 4.00 ±0.509(c) 21 Potentilla acaulis 2.89 ± 0.294(a) 22 Potentilla bifurca 2.67 ± 0.441(a) 23 Rosaceae Spiraea aquilegifolia 1.44 ± 0.222(b) 24 Rosa rugosa 2.58 ± 0.395(a) 25 Potentulla sericea 0(c) Note: Similar letters for the same row indicate non-significant difference at P<0.05

3.1.2 Identification of feed resources for free-range chicken in the sandland

Chicken farming not only utilizes grassland space, but also uses the natural feeds. The seeds and leaves of herbs in grassland are ideal feeds for free-range chickens. As all the grasses depend on natural precipitation, and chickens consume fewer grasses than big mammals, such patterns of land use can enable the sustainable utilization of water resources. The project also investigated selective feeding behaviours on plant species in the grassland. The impacts from chicken farming in different habitats in Hunshandake Sandland (e.g. wetland and fixed sand dune), were also compared. All experiments were carried out on the large free-range chicken-farming platform, which is designed according to chicken density (250, 500, 750, 1000 chickens/hm2).

Free-range chickens, also have different selective feeding behaviours among different species. For instance, the daily feeding of each chicken on Alfalfa was approximately 6.75 g, while selective feeding on Caragana microphylla and Thermopsis lanceolata was less than 1 g. Chickens whose daily feedstuff was dandelion Compositae consumed 7.11g. For all kinds of Compositae and artemisia plants, free-range chickens did not or scarcely consumed as daily feedstuff. It was found that grassland chickens had different selective feeding on plants growing in different habitats in Hunshandake Sandland: higher selective feeding on Chenopodiaceae growing in wetlands, and lower selective feeding on plants in fixed sand dunes. This indicates that grassland chickens had little effect on plants in the fixed sand dunes of the grassland ecosystem in Hunshandake Sandland (Tables 2 and 3).

Table 2. Water content and nutrient component of some common plants

Water content Nutrient component（%） Plant species (%) Crude protein Coarse fibre Crude fat Nitrogen free extract Ash Iris lacteal var. Chinensis 73.7±0.54(e) 7.8±0.58(e) 3.0±0.15(c) 36.5±0.38(a) 33.4±1.10(c) 9.7±0.54(e) Astragalus adsurgens 78.0±0.33(c) 21.6±1.37(b) 2.9±0.11(c) 20.3±0.94(e) 43.7±1.93(a) 7.4±0.43(f) Medicago lupulina 77.4±0.53(c) 26.3±0.64(a) 4.5±0.15(b) 17.5±0.87(f) 42.6±1.20(a) 6.8±0.26(f) Taraxacum mongolicum 85.7±0.44(a) 21.7±0.87(b) 5.6±0.10(a) 16.1±0.31(f) 40.8±0.76(a) 16.0±1.39(b) Artemisia tanacetifolia 75.4±0.38(d) 10.4±0.46(d) 4.2±0.10(b) 26.0±0.66(c) 38.6±1.35(b) 11.6±0.83(d) Thermopsis lanceolata 74.0±0.56(e) 25.2±1.12(a) 2.3±0.06(d) 27.1±0.94(c) 34.5±0.98(c) 6.7±0.10(f) Potentulla sericea 67.4±0.32(g) 9.7±0.83(d) 4.2±0.08(b) 27.8±0.23(c) 34.9±0.21(c) 14.1±0.61(b) Carex duriuscula 83.9±0.48(b) 6.1±0.11(e) 3.2±0.09(c) 32.4±0.33(b) 32.9±1.09(c) 18.7±0.36(a) Ranunculus japonicus 70.6±0.30(f) 16.3±0.79(c) 3.4±0.33(c) 22.7±1.49(d) 32.6±0.39(c) 14.6±0.54(b) Leymus chinensis 65.5±0.34(h) 10.1±0.66(d) 3.2±0.16(c) 34.6±0.35(a) 31.5±0.95(c) 12.8±0.52(c) Note: Similar letters at the same row indicate non-significant difference at P<0.05

Table 3. Name, habitats and everyday feeding amount of free-range chicken of some common plants in Hunshandake Sandland Numb Day feedstuffs Latin name Family name Habitat er （g/each） Iris lacteal var. 1 Iridaceae Lowland 0（f） Chinensis 2 Astragalus adsurgens Leguminosae Lowland 5.9 ± 0.484（b） 3 Medicago lupulina Leguminosae Lowland 6.8 ± 0.144 （a,b） Taraxacum Chenopodiace 4 Wetland 7.1 ± 0.131（a） mongolicum ae Chenopodiace 5 Artemisia tanacetifolia Lowland 1.2 ± 0.076（d） ae Thermopsis 6 Leguminosae Lowland 0.8 ± 0.088 （e） lanceolata 7 Potentulla sericea Rosaceae Lowland 2.9 ± 0.294 （c） 8 Carex duriuscula Cyperaceae Wetland 0（f）

9 Ranunculus japonicus Adiantaceae Wetland 1.9 ± 0.220 （d） Fixed sand 10 Leymus chinensis Gramineae 0.8 ± 0.115（e） dunes Note: Similar letters at the same row indicate non-significant difference at P<0.05

3.1.3 NPP monitoring and land-use patterns

To monitor changes in net primary production (NPP) of sandland after the shift in land use in 2011, the project conducted two north–south transects (5 km long and 100 m, perpendicular to the main sand ridges), during the growing season. Habitat types and vegetation were surveyed at 100 m intervals. The diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m above ground), height (H) and crown diameter (CD) for every tree (DBH ≥ 5 cm) encountered were recorded. Measurements and accounts were made for the trees species Ulmus pumila, Malus baccata, Betula fruticosa and Padus racemosa. Since trees other than Siberian elm account for less than 5% of tree density, they were treated as elms when calculating biomass and NPP.

Five 4 m2 clipping plots per habitat were sampled for fixed, semi-fixed and shifting dunes, and five 1 m2 plots per habitat were sampled for lowlands and wetlands. All the measurements were conducted in late August, when the maximum biomass was observed. The aboveground biomass was clipped and collected manually, while belowground biomass was sampled in each plot with three soil cores (inner diameter of 8 cm) to the depth of 50 cm by 10 cm intervals. Wetland soil cores were not separated into different layers. Belowground live roots were rinsed out. All the parts were oven-dried to a constant weight at 85 °C and weighed. A total of 76 clipping plots were done to estimate the contribution of NPP from grasses in the study area.

For land-use patterns, the project calculated different land coverage, (e.g. meadow, steppe, spare elm tree, desert, crop farm, based on a satellite picture, using GIS technology. Data were processed in the State Key Laboratory of Vegetation Science and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Figure 3. The land-use pattern of Zhenglan Banner in Hunshadake Sandland showing the distribution patterns of sandland ecosystem, which merits conservation in the form of a natural reserve. Most of the land is used for pasture, except Ha Biriga Town in the south.

3.2. Preparation of policy-relevant guidelines for decision-makers in drylands 3.2.1. Developing scenarios for land-use changes (also in the context of climate change) including the assessment of trade-offs and economic valuation of dryland services

The achievements of the Hunshandake project have strongly influenced the sustainable management of China’s grassland. In 2011, according to the project’s social study on the shifting of land-use (from large and middle-sized mammals to poultry), some families began to use less land for economic production, and to leave large areas for biodiversity conservation. This was achieved because of the increase in net income, from 80% to 100%.

The new land-use patterns now include chicken farming, baby cattle breeding and organic tofu production. Ordinary families in Bayinhushu Gacha have 2000 mu (1 ha=15 mu) of grassland. This triple land-use pattern occupies merely 5%, 10% and 15% of the families’ land areas, respectively for chicken farming, baby cattle breeding and organic tofu production.

3.2.2. Interfacing with relevant policy-formulation institutions and processes in the respective countries

From 1to 5 August 2011, an important meeting was held between the officials of the Xilingol League, the heads of the Life Science Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS), and the members of the SUMAMAD project. The main task of the meeting was to explore the possibility of enlarging the Bayinhushu Model into one whole Banner1, forming a special demonstration region. The main idea of the newly designed demonstration region (10,000 km2) was to use merely 10% of the grassland thereby protecting the remaining 90% of land, while increasing the income of the local people by 50% to 100%. Mr. Sixin Bilige, President of the Xilingol League, and Academician Fang Jingyun, Director of IBCAS, Professor Zhang Zhibin, Director of Life Science Bureau of CAS, and other decision-makers from both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, attended the five-days meeting and field trip investigation. The central idea, however, belonged to Professor Dr Jiang Gaoming, head of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake project.

On 7 November 2011, another important meeting was held in the CAS headquarters. Academician Fang Jingyun and Professor Jiang Gaoming, together with a number of principle researchers from IBCAS, participated in the meeting. The working group from IBCAS responsible for designing the largest eco-husbandry industry demonstration special regions, reported to Academician Li Jiayang, Deputy President of CAS. The Deputy President highly appreciated and offered guidance on the innovative idea of constructing an eco-husbandry industry demonstration region in Inner Mongolia. He also admired the ten-year programme responsible for restoring degraded grassland in Bayinhushua Gacha. Professor Jiang Gaoming now heads a special group charged with designing the huge demonstration region. Top officials from CAS and Inner Mongolia will jointly forward the eco-husbandry project to the State Council.

In November 2010, the leader of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake Project suggested to IBCAS to take eco-husbandry industry as one of new research directions. Now the motion has been

1 A banner is an administrative division of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China.

fully accepted by IBCAS, and eco-husbandry has become one of the eight mainstream research directors of IBCAS for the period of 2010-2020.

3.3. Promoting sustainable livelihoods in drylands

In order to promote sustainable livelihoods in the Hunshandake Sandland area, three main approaches were tested during the year 2011. The approaches were based on a four-member household with a land area of 2000 mu (1 ha=15 mu).

The first approach is livelihood-chicken farming. Some 100 mu was used to raise 2,500 free-range chickens in grassland. Taking into account a 95% death rate a profit of 10 CHY (1 USD = 6.35 CHY) was achieved for each chicken, chicken farming alone has produced 2,375 CHY (Figure 4). Another 16,250 CHY was obtained from selling eggs produced by 500 hens (Figure 5). Five families were involved in these activities, five families, (e.g., Nasen Wuritu, Hu Hetuge, Muqier, Narisong, Er’er Deng).

Figure 4. Free-range chicken farming in grassland: a new income-generating activity with higher economic feedback but little environmental impact (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming). Figure 5. Eggs from the grassland area. Such kinds of eggs are very attractive in large cities such as Beijing, and each is marketed at 3 CHY, 10 times the price of normal eggs (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming).

Figure 6. Baby cattle in the grassland can grow at a rate of 200 kg – 250 kg/growth season, selling at a price of 3000-4000CHY (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming).

The second approach is baby-cattle breeding. Some 200 mu of healthy grassland was used for keeping only 20 cows to produce 20 baby cattle (each sells for as much as 3,100 CHY) for further fattening in agricultural areas. About 63,000 CHY has been gained from baby cattle. Five families, (e.g., Gang Temuer, Bate’er, Ga Riga, Hasi Beilige, Naili Ge) were involved in this new form of income generation. The baby cattle were all sold to a cattle-feeding farm based in Shandong.

The third approach is organic tofu production. The project helped local farmers to use 300 mu for cow grazing, and to make full use of the milk to produce organic milk tofu. An average amount of 5500 CHY has been raised by five families (e.g., Baolige, Saibilige, Er’erdeng Bilige, Gang Suhe, Siqin Bilige). The organic tofu factory was run by a family unit, and produced 1350 kg – 1400 kg/day milk tofu during the most productive days. The family factory hired local people (mostly women) who could earn a salary 800 CHY per month.

Figure 7. Bayinhushu Gacha villagers making traditional milk tofu using natural materials (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming). Figure 8. Drying milk tofu in the sun (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming).

3.4. National seminar

A national seminar was held in Beijing from 29–30 October 2011. Thirty delegates from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Agriculture Academy of Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Inner Monolia Agriculture University, Lanzhou University, China Agriculture University, Arizona State University (USA), Beijing Normal University, China Northeast Normal University and reporters from Science Times and Science and Technology Daily, participated in the seminar. Academician Fang Jinyun, head of IBCAS, presented in the seminar, and gave the key speech. The main topic was: ‘Establish the Eco-husbandry Special Region to enhance the Sustainable Development of Economy and Society in Inner Mongolia’.

Figure 9. National seminar of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake project: establishing the largest Eco-husbandry Industry Demonstration Zone in China’s grassland (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming).

The Deputy President of Beijing Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, together with Mr Zhao Cunfa, the President of the Inner Mongolia Academy of Pasture and Agriculture, also participated in the national seminar. They represented the decision-makers of the local authority in Inner Mongolia and CAS. Mr Duan Ziyuan, the Deputy Director of the Agriculture Office of CAS, responsible for the cooperation project of CAS for agriculture and grassland areas, listened to the report made by Professor Jiang Gaoming, who represented the SUMAMAD Hunshandake project team.

The main discussion points from the seminar were as follows:

1) The importance of establishing an eco-husbandry special region in the Hunshandake Sand Area. The motion for the proposal was raised by the Hunshandake project, and based upon CAS’s ten-year demonstration project and the eight-year SUMAMAD project in Bayinhushu Gacha.

2) The economic and ecological benefits from replacing middle and large-sized mammals with poultry in grassland.

3) The possibilities and approaches to increasing grassland productivity in order to support more human beings and lessen the pressure from China’s huge population.

4) Organic food production and marketing in Inner Mongolia grassland, especially in the Hunshandake Sandland area.

5) The potential for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation in China’s sandlands, if well restored.

4. Results obtained and preliminary recommendations

On 7 August 2011, the State Council of China published an important document: ‘Suggestions and decisions on the Sustainable Development of the Husbandry in the Grassland Regions of China’. The document firstly highlights the position of grassland from an ecological function perspective. The government began to compensate the local farmers’ losses since 2010 if the grasslands were used for ecosystem restoration. The main methodology employed by the Central Government draws upon proposals made by scientists some ten years ago. The success of the recent restoration of 2226 ha of degraded sandland in Bayin Hushu Gacha has provided strong evidence for policy changes. Previously, the government had favoured planting popular trees in grassland. A list of recommendations from

the SUMAMAD Hunshandake Sandland project team can be found in Annex I.

From 1–5 August 2011, an important dialogue was held among officials of the Xilingol League, heads of the Life Science Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, theInstitute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IBCAS), and members of the SUMAMAD project. One important outcome of this dialogue was that Mr Siqin Bilige basically agreed to provide one Banner or one same-sized area on behalf of the Xiligol League to co-construct the largest eco-husbandry industry demonstration region in China. The central idea, however, belonged to Professor Dr Jiang Gaoming, head of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake project.

On 7 November 2011, at CAS headquarters, Academician Fang Jingyun, Director of Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Jiang Gaoming, Head of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake Sandland project, and several other scientists from IBCAS reported to Academician Li Jiayang, Deputy President of CAS about the innovative idea of constructing an eco-husbandry industry demonstration region in Inner Mongolia. The Deputy President ordered the scientists’ team to develop a practical plan for presentation to the State Council of China. Professor Jiang Gaoming, heads the special group to design the huge demonstration region.

In November 2010, the leader of the SUMAMAD Hunshandake Project suggested to IBCAS that eco-husbandry industries be added as one of the new research direction. IBCAS has now fully accepted the motion and eco-husbandry has become one of the eight mainstream research directors of IBCAS for the period 2010–2020.

5. Problems and challenges

Local Mongolia farmers began to realize the benefits of new eco-jobs, such as free-range chicken farming, baby cattle breeding and organic milk tofu production and selling, and 15 families have become involved. However, the Zhenglan Zhongke Science and Technology Company, who used to buy the products from the project sites, experienced a financial shortage during 2011 as a result of technological problems. This led to misunderstandings between the project team and the company, as well as local farmers. Hopefully these will be resolved when new funding arrives, either from the company or the government.

Wild animals, such as foxes and eagles, still constituted threats to free-ranges chicken farming, causing losses. To resolve this problem, the project built 200 hundred small, wooden, moveable chicken houses. However, the price was too high (300 CHY), and local farmers refused to buy them. In 2011, skilled people were hired to weave moveable chicken houses using native materials (Salix flavida).

Figure 10. Local farmers are weaving chicken houses using the native shrub Salix (Photo: Professor Jiang Gaoming).

Marketing the eco-products produced by the project site is the most difficult task for the scientists involved, as their experience and skills are scientific in nature rather than business-oriented. This can lead to a crisis in trust, affecting the company, the local farmer, and even the local government. Furthermore, some government funding was used to build fences to protect the village’s entire lands, and some funding was wasted on buying milk cows from Australia.

List of publications and media coverage

Su, B.Y., Li, Y.G., Su, H., Xu, H. and Jiang, G.M. 2011. Ecological and economic benefit of chicken farming in Hunshandake Sandland, Science & Technology Review, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp 19-25.

Wang, B.X. Jiang, G.M. 2011. Effect of chicken litter on grassland productivity and environmental quality in a sandland ecosystem. Acta Ecologica Sinica, Vol. 31, No 1, pp 14-23.

Li, G., Li, Y.G., Liu, M.Z. and Jiang, G.M. 2011. Vegetation biomass and net primary production of sparse forest grassland in Hunshandake Sandland. Science & Technology Review, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp 30-37.

Jiang, G.M. 2011. A successful ecological project must follow some basic lows. Science Time, 28 October 2011, p. A3.

Jiang. G.M., Liu, M.Z. Niu, S.L., Li, Y.G. Peng, Y. and Su, B.Y. 2011. Ten-year period demonstration project in Hunshandake Sandland and prospect for the future development of eco-stock farming industry, Science & Technology Review, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp 19-25.

Wang, J.Y., Liu, M.Z. and Jiang, G.M. 2011. Sap flow dynamics of Ulmus pumila var. sabulosa in Hunshandake sandland. Science & Technology Review, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp 54-58.

Lin, Z. and Wang, J. 2011. A survive Eco-project model — Stories about desert control in Hunshandake Sandland, 28 October 2011, Science Time, p. A3.

Liu, M.Z., Zhou, H.M. Yang, S., Guo, Y. and Jiang, G.M. 2011. Response strategies of C3 and C4 plants to drought stress in Hunshandake Sandland, Science & Technology Review, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp 48-53.

Li, N. 2011. One practical model in ecological restoration: Hunshandake, Science & Technology Review, Vol. 29, No. 25, pp 15-18.

Dong, Z.F.. 2011. Ten year’s eco-restoration practice in Hunshandake Sandland. 26 October.201, Science & Technology Daily

6. Objectives for 2012

a. Scientific research: during 2012 more attention will be paid to enhancing ecosystem production by increasing water and nutrient-use efficiency. b. Policy studies: the largest Eco-husbandry Industries Demonstration Region in China’s grassland will be designed based upon the achievements of the twelve-year Hunshandake Sandland Restoration Project and the eight-year SUMAMAD Project. c. Income generation activities: these will encourage more people to become involved in eco-jobs, leading to production specialization. Organic foods from the project site will enter the Beijing market. Special organic food shops, such as those selling free-range chicken produce, will open in Beijing. The main activities for 2011 are as followings:

7.1. Fostering scientific drylands research a. Investigate the differential ecological effects of the manure rejections from goat, sheep and chicken. b. To investigate the growth patterns of free-range chickens in the grassland. c. To study the differential responses of NPP to watering and fertilizers. d. To monitor water movement (sap flow dynamics) in dominant tree species in Hunshandake Sandland.

7.2. Preparation of policy-relevant guidelines for decision-makers in drylands a. Prepare a proposal for the State Council for the sustainable use of natural resources in grasslands, the main idea being to establish the largest Eco-husbandry Industries Special Region in China’s grassland. b. Disseminate suggestions on sustainable management for Inner Mongolia grassland policy-makers and top-officials of China, via influential media in China, such as Xinhua News Agency or People’s Daily. c. Policy study on the development of alternative income-generating activities and diversification of options including ecotourism, handicraft, medicine and forages.

7.3. Promoting sustainable livelihoods in drylands a. Promote alternative income-generating activities such as forages, chicken farming and ecotourism. b. Develop and certify organic foods (chicken and milk) in Hunshandake Sandland. c. Use liquid and solid wastes from the biogas plants to fertilizer the greenhouse, thereby solving the vegetable shortage problem in Bayinhushu Gacha.

7.4. National seminar a. The feasibility of establishing an Eco-husbandry Industry Demonstration Region: opportunities and challenges

b. Utilization and conservation towards a sustainable livelihoods in semi-arid grassland areas c. The application of sustainable science on China’s sandland conservation and utilization.

8. Annex

Annex I. Suggestions raised by the Hunshandake Sandland project team and feedback by top officials of China: a. Premier Wen Jiabao wrote an official comment on chicken food quality safety in China (including Inner Mongolia) (2007). b. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu wrote an official comment on the Reason for Grassland Degradation and Ecological Restoration in Inner Mongolia (2006). c. Mr Lu Yongxiang, Vice Chairman of the countrywide National People's Congress, wrote an official comment on the Misunderstandings of Land Degradation and Countermeasures in Grassland Areas of China (2005). d. Mr Han Qide, Chairman of the Jiu San Society Central Committee of China, wrote an important official comment on the suggestion for ‘Using Crop Residue in Agricultural Areas to Reduce the Pressure of Husbandry in Pastoral areas’ (2007). e. Mr Yang Bangjie, the Vice Chairman of the Zhigong Party, visited the SUMAMAD Project site (2005) and chaired an important meeting in Beijing on constructing China’s grassland by following the project’s model. f. People’s Daily (Top Officials Edition) accepted the project’s suggestion to use natural reserves to help restore degraded ecosystems in China, and introduced the Hunshandake Case study. g. Vice President Li Jiayang of the Chinese Academy of Science gave the order to introduce the motion for Establishing an Eco-husbandry Industry Demonstration Region in China, raised by the SUMAMAD Hunshandake Sandland project team.

Annex II List of participants in the National Seminar, 2011

Professor Jingyun Fang, Academician Mr Ziyuan Duan Director of IBCAS Executive Vice Director Institute of Botany Agricultural Project Office Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 Dr Xuliang Zhuang People’s Republic of China Director E-mail: [email protected] Bureau of Science and Technology for Resources and Environment Professor Zhang Xin-Shi, Academician Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician of CAS Tel.: (+86-10)68597540 Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Ms Xia Feng 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Associate Researcher Beijing 100093 Bureau of Science and Technology for People’s Republic of China Resources and Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences Professor Le Kang Head of Bureau of Life Sciences and Professor Haichun Jing Biotechnology Director of the Research Department Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany E-mail: [email protected] Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Mr. Yang Ma Beijing 100093 Deputy President People’s Republic of China Beijing Branch E-mail: [email protected] Chinese Academy of Sciences No.1 Building Zijin Digital Garden, Professor Song Ge No.18 South Fourth Street, Vice Director of the IBCAS Zhongguancun Principal Investigator of the State Key Haidian District, Beijing100190 Laboratory of Systematic and China Evolutionary Botany Tel: (+86-10)62661266 Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Mr Fengsong Liu 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Deputy Director Beijing 100093 Work Bureau of Academician People’s Republic of China Chinese Academy of Sciences E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Professor Ming Dong Chinese Academy of Sciences Executive Director 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Principal Investigator Beijing 100093 The State Key Laboratory of People’s Republic of China Vegetation and Environmental Change E-mail: [email protected] Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Dr Meizhen Liu 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Vice Investigator Beijing 100093 Institute of Botany People’s Republic of China Chinese Academy of Sciences E-mail: [email protected] 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 Professor Gaoming Jiang People’s Republic of China Principal Investigator E-mail: [email protected] Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences Dr Shunli Yu Vice Secretary-General of China-MAB Vice Investigator Committee Institute of Botany 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100093 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan People’s Republic of China Beijing 100093 Tel.: (+86-10) 62591431 ext. 6286, People’s Republic of China 6287 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (+86-10) 62590843 E-mail: [email protected] Dr Yanhai Zheng Vice Investigator Professor Xingguo Han Institute of Botany Principal Investigator Chinese Academy of Sciences The State Key Laboratory of 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Vegetation and Environmental Change Beijing 100093 Institute of Botany People’s Republic of China .Chinese Academy of Sciences E-mail: [email protected] 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 Professor Zhongling Liu People’s Republic of China Inner Mongolia University E-mail: [email protected] Huhhot 010021 People’s Republic of China Professor Yongfei Bai Executive Vice Supervisor Professor Cunfa Zhao Principal Investigator President; Investigator National Field Station for Grassland Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture Ecosystem in Xilingol and Animal Husbandry Sciences Inner Mongolia Tel.: 13347108868 Institute of Botany

Mr Yongzhi Liu Dean’s Distinguished Professor Vice President; Investigator Sustainability Science Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture School of Life Sciences & Global and Animal Husbandry Sciences Institute of Sustainability Tel.: 13500612386 Arizona State University E-mail: [email protected] Professor Guodong Han Inner Mongolia Agriculture University Professor Xiangyang Hou 306 Zhaowuda Road, Hohhot Director; Investigator Inner Mongolia 010018 Grassland Research Institute People’s Republic of China Chinese Academy of Agriculture E-mail: [email protected] Sciences E-mail: [email protected] Ms Qi Xing Investigator Mr Qingchuan Yang Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture Investigator and Animal Husbandry Sciences Institute of Animal Sciences Tel.: 13804717587 Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Ms Jinfeng Yun E-mail: [email protected] Professor College of Environment Mr Ruijun Long Inner Mongolia Agriculture University Professor 306 Zhaowuda Road Lanzhou University Huhhot 010018 No 222, Tianshui South Road People’s Republic of China Lanzhou 730000 Tel: 13947154041 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected] Professor Xinshi Lu Beijing Forestry University Mr Deli Wang No 35, Tsinghua East Road, Haidian Professor District Northeast Normal University Beijing 100083 5268 Renmin Street People’s Republic of China Changchun130024, Jilin Province E-mail: [email protected] People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected] Professor Kun Wang China Agricultural University Dr Caihong Li No. 17, Tsing Hua East Road Institute of Botany HaiDian District Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100083 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, E-mail: [email protected] Beijing 100093 People’s Republic of China Professor Jianguo Wu E-mail: [email protected]

Dr Zhen Zhen Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan, Beijing 100093 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected]

Miss Jing Li Postgraduate Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected]

Miss Jie Meng Postgraduate Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected]

Miss Wenjing Bo Postgraduate Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected]

Mr Haitao Liu Postgraduate Institute of Botany Chinese Academy of Sciences 20 Nanxincun, Xiangshan Beijing 100093 People’s Republic of China E-mail: [email protected]