2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

Home , Changtang, Hoh Xil

IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

SITE INFORMATION Country: China Inscribed in: 2017 Criteria: (vii) (x)

Qinghai Hoh Xil, located in the northeastern extremity of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, is the largest and highest plateau in the world. This extensive area of alpine mountains and steppe systems is situated more than 4,500 m above sea level, where sub-zero average temperatures prevail all year-round. The site’s geographical and climatic conditions have nurtured a unique biodiversity. More than one third of the plant species, and all the herbivorous mammals are endemic to the plateau. The property secures the complete migratory route of the Tibetan antelope, one of the endangered large mammals that are endemic to the plateau. © UNESCO

SUMMARY

2020 Conservation Outlook Finalised on 01 Dec 2020

GOOD WITH SOME CONCERNS

The conservation outlook for Qinghai Hoh Xil is good with some concerns. The values for which the site is inscribed are of low concern, owing largely to the site's huge scale and remoteness, which buffers against the high and growing threats. The cumulative effects of the different threats, some of which are greater than previously deemed (as is the case for climate change effects in the site) require an efficient and targeted monitoring system and related management responses. Adequate protection is in place for the most part, however coordination with adjacent protected areas and other relevant planning policies (transportation, energy) is of some concern. The renewal of the management plan, following the completion of the 2015- 2020 implementation period of the prior iteration, presents an excellent opportunity to adapt the management to account for threats and issues identified in the site's evaluation in 2017. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

FULL ASSESSMENT

Description of values

Values

World Heritage values

▶ Exceptional natural beauty Criterion:(vii)

The property is a place of extraordinary beauty at a scale that dwarfs the human dimension, and which embraces all the senses. The contrast of scale is a recurring theme in Hoh Xil as high plateau systems function unimpeded on a grand scale, wildlife is vividly juxtaposed against vast treeless backdrops and tiny cushion plants contrast against towering snow covered mountains. In the summer, the tiny cushion plants form a sea of vegetation, which when blooming creates waves of different colours. Around the hot springs at the foot of towering snow covered mountains, the smells of dust, ash and sulphur combine with the sharp cold wind from the glacier. Glacial melt waters create numerous braided rivers which are woven into huge wetland systems forming tens of thousands of lakes of all colours and shapes. The lake basins comprise flat, open terrain incorporating the best preserved planation surface on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau as well as an unparalleled concentration of lakes. The lakes display a full spectrum of succession stages, forming an important catchment at the source of the Yangtze River and a spectacular landscape. The lake basins also provide the major calving grounds of the Tibetan antelope. In early summer each year, tens of thousands of female Tibetan antelopes migrate for hundreds of kilometres from wintering areas in Changtang in the west, the Altun Mountains in the north and Sanjiangyuan in the east to Hoh Xil’s lake basins to calve. The property secures the complete antelope migratory route between Sanjiangyuan and Hoh Xil, supporting the unimpeded migration of Tibetan antelope, one of the endangered large mammal species endemic to the Plateau (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Exceptional level of endemism and significant habitat for Criterion:(x) in situ conservation

High levels of endemism within the flora of the property are associated with high altitudes and cold climate and contribute to similarly high levels of endemism within the fauna. Alpine grasslands make up 45% of the total vegetation in the property dominated by the grass Stipa purpurea. Other vegetation types include alpine meadows and alpine talus. Over one-third of the higher plants found in the property are endemic to the Plateau and all of the herbivorous mammals that feed on these plants are also Plateau endemics. There are 74 species of vertebrates in Hoh Xil, including 19 mammals, 48 birds, six fish and one reptile (Phrynocephalus vlangalii). The property is home to Tibetan antelope, wild yak, Tibetan wild ass, Tibetan gazelle, wolf and brown bear, all of which are frequently seen. Large numbers of wild ungulates depend on the property including almost 40% of the world’s Tibetan antelope and up to 50% of the world’s wild yak. Hoh Xil conserves the habitats and natural processes of the complete life cycle of the Tibetan antelope, including the phenomenon of congregating females giving birth after a long migration. The calving grounds in Hoh Xil support up to 30,000 animals each year and include almost 80% of the identified birth congregation areas in the entire antelope range. During the winter, some 40,000 Tibetan antelopes remain in the property, accounting for 20-40% of the global population.

Other important biodiversity values

▶ Ecosystem and evolution

The property is representative of the biological and ecological evolution on the Pamir-Tian-Shan Highlands. It extends across the Eurasian forest floristic subregion and Asian desert floristic subregion. Its features of altitudinal vegetation distribution, significant differences between north and south slopes, and diversity of flora, all illustrate the biological and ecological evolution of the Pamir-Tian-Shan Highlands. Due to its special location, topography and climate, the Kalajun-Kuerdening component IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

became a refuge for relict species in the Paleogene period. It is an example of an ongoing biological and ecological evolution process in a temperate arid zone. Due to the pattern of two deserts flanking one mountain, the location deep in Asia’s hinterland and the arid continental climate, which is unique among the world’s mountain ecosystems, the landforms, ecosystems, habitats and landscapes have not undergone any major changes since the Pliocene epoch (5 Ma).

Assessment information

Threats

Current Threats High Threat

The cumulative effects of threats like the railway and highway corridor along with the effects of climate change on the landscape and biodiversity therein are currently posing a high threat to the site's values, even though they may be of low threat in isolation. Fencing and other agricultural activities linked to grazing on the ecosystem and aesthetic values are also of some concern. This situation needs effective management responses.

▶ Roads/ Railroads Low Threat (Qinghai-Tibet Highway) Inside site, localised(<5%) Outside site The highway severely affects the migration route of the Tibetan antelope from the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve to the calving grounds and back, as well as the displacing wildlife in general and disturbing the ecological network of the plateau. This affects both criteria (vii) and (x). The management response, however, seems effective, as the population of antelopes was rising at the time of inscription, although no more recent data is published or public accessable for the use of the highway by wild animals and no monitoring of mortality due to the highway is in place to assess this impact. In recent years, Hoh Xil reserve has developed its remote CCTV monitoring system at selected sessions of the highway to monitor the wildlife movement. During migration season, the guards of the Hoh Xil National Nature reserve take patrols along selected sessions of the highway according to historical records of antelope movement and also use CCTV monitoring system to get real-time observation along highway. If there is antelope along the highway, reserve staff at protection stations near these spots will go there to ensure the pass of the animals. The traffic on the highway is growing due to the major development occurring in the Tibet province. At the same time, the populations of antelopes and other animals are thought to be growing in the property due to better conservation measures. This could potentially create conflict in future if relevant management responses are not put in place. During the process of inscription, IUCN sought information from the State Party about the status and future plans for the road. It was confirmed that there is no committed plan for road upgrading at the present time. It would be essential that, should the road be upgraded (including the options to reduce its impact on migration, such as underpass or overpass corridors), such a project should be subject to a very thorough and careful assessment, involving leading expertise. In the meantime, two clearly essential requirements are to maintain the current and apparently effective management of the road, and to continuously monitor its effectiveness. It is also important to improve the level of monitoring of the impacts of the road on wildlife, including tracking details of roadkill, in order to also consider if impacts on species other than the Tibetan antelope require enhanced protection measures (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Roads/ Railroads Low Threat (Qinghai-Tibet Railway) Inside site, localised(<5%) Outside site The railway was designed to respect, as much as possible, the migration corridors of the antelopes, despite it's perpendicular alignment to the migratory routes of the antelope. Underpasses to facilitate the migration are very large and at regular intervals along the railway line. However concerns have been raised as to their efficacy, with recent studies showing that only one of the underpasses (the Wubei underpass) is regularly used by the antelope, and animals have to prolong and deviate from their IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

optimal migration pathway to access the railway underpass (Xu et al., 2019). Therefore, its impact should be taken into account in the monitoring (IUCN, 2017) and consider the location and structural characteristics in designing and improving wildlife crossings to optimize animal movement processes such as migration (Xu et al., 2019). Such monitoring is essential as, even to date, little is known about the spatial and temporal dynamics of the migration (IUCN Consultation, 2020),

▶ Livestock Farming / Grazing High Threat (Fencing) Inside site, extent of threat not known Outside site The division of land and fencing directed by the government for husbandry purposes as well as anti- desertification and wetland protection purposes are notable current threats, as fencing disrupts the migration route of Tibetan antelope and causes the displacement of wildlife in the property and buffer zone. Some actions have been taken by the reserves and NGOs to remove the fences, but many are still in place. Reported illegal settlement to the south of the property is also resulting in fencing. It will be imperative that the State Party takes care to ensure that fencing that would threaten the migration routes for animals breeding in the property is not permitted or promoted at any point, and acts to manage any existing fencing (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Livestock Farming / Grazing Low Threat (Intensive Grazing) Inside site, widespread(15-50%)

Intensive grazing and human–wildlife conflict is a current threat in part of the property, within Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve. Sheep and cattle compete with wildlife for food and heavy grazing can cause degradation of the grassland ecosystem. The government has an effective policy for reducing animal husbandry, offering incentives and compensation to the relevant households to cease grazing the land. The IUCN mission understood that grazing intensity has fallen substantially in the last years, and thus it is recommended that this present policy is continued. However, it is important to note, as discussed above, that a distinction should be made regarding the support for long-standing traditional grazing at intensities that can be supported by the natural ecosystem, in order to respect and protect legitimate traditional use and the rights associated with it (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Livestock Farming / Grazing High Threat (Pest control (Poisoning of pika species)) Inside site, scattered(5-15%) Outside site The IUCN evaluation mission noted concern regarding poisoning campaigns for the eradication of pika (Ochotona spp.), which is a current threat of medium severity to the biodiversity. There is mounting evidence that pikas are a keystone species that provide critical ecological services in the alpine meadow ecosystem. Thus, poisoning would potentially impact on the functioning of the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the property. No organised management response to pika is in place, although it is understood that the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve Administration has in the past refused to put in place eradication campaigns, and not accept financial subsidies, thus this issue has been primarily related to practice in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve. In response to a concern raised by IUCN, the State Party notes that no poisoning is planned in the area and the buffer zone (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Habitat Shifting/ Alteration High Threat (Effects of climate change on the landscape and on the Inside site, throughout(>50%) movement patterns of ungulates and migratory birds) Outside site

The effects of climate change impact the property. The recorded average temperature and average precipitation in the Hoh Xil reserve area rose significantly over the past decades. From 1961 to 2015, the annual average temperature change was 0.34℃ per decade, and the recorded average annual precipitation increased by c. 5 mm per decade. With this rapid change, glaciers, permafrost, rivers, lakes, wetlands and springs have responded accordingly, offering what is a dramatic example of terrestrial landscape change and a rare record of geomorphic processes. The primary productivity of the property appears to have increased, new rivers, lakes and marshlands have emerged. The change of landscape also resulted in changes to the movement patterns of ungulates and migratory birds, which are currently not fully understood. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

With climate warming and increased precipitation in the Tibetan Plateau (TP), most lakes in the Hoh Xil region have expanded significantly and some large lakes had expanded by hundreds of square kilometres since 2000. Lake Zonag, Lake Kusai, Lake Hedin Noel and Lake Yanhu were independent endorheic lakes in the Hoh Xil region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As noted above, in September 2011, Lake Zonag burst after the water level had increased for many years. Floods flowed through Lake Kusai and Lake Hedin Noel into Lake Yanhu. The area of Lake Zonag has shrunk by 120 km2 and the margins of receded lake quickly evolved into the source of dust and heavy sandstorms which occurred frequently in the following winters. About 300 km2 of grassland have been completely covered by dust, threatening the survival of Tibetan antelopes and other wild animals in this region, although there was no quantitative measurement on its impact on animal mortality so far. One of the most important calving sites, Zhuonai (Zonag) Lake, burst in 2011, resulting in deep cutting riverbanks along migration routes, preventing animal access to their traditional calving ground (IUCN Consultation, 2020) and forcing calving in alternative sites downstream (Liu et al, 2016). To the east, Lake Yanhu received the floods from Lake Zonag and then expanded from 48.1 km2 to 210.5 km2 over the course of several years. With the excessive water running into the Yanhu Lake, it is expected to spillover in only a couple of years. With the very high salinity of Yanhu, a overspill will significantly affect forage quality for the antelope and other ungulates across a large area (Pei et al., 2019; IUCN Consultation, 2020). The hazards of possible outburst of Lake Yanhu had also posed a serious threat to the safety of adjacent Qinghai-Tibet Railway/Highway. In 2019, engineers have dug a channel to drain the lake to prevent the possible outburst, and calls for a proposed dam to prevent further desertification have been advocated (Xinhua, 2019). Practical management responses are difficult to put in place in relation to these trends, as the situation requires first to be understood, and the underlying knowledge and science base is still rapidly evolving. At the present time, it is firstly essential to put in place a strengthened and coordinated programme of monitoring of the effects of climate change. It will be important for management authority to conduct vulnerable assessment for wildlife habitat and distribution , as well as potential shift of vegatation patterns. It is important to understand how wild animals react to the habitat shift and data collection on habitat for flagship species should cover more than calving areas. Considering the large scale of the property, there is possibility for wild animals to shift to new habitat if the traditional ones are impacted by climate. To secure the spaces for potential shift is important to be addressed in renewed management plan. Given increasing capacity in Qinghai for conservation and the government's high- level commitment for ecological civilization, there is a significant opportunity to provide information about change, and lessons regarding response, that would be of international interest (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species Very Low Threat (Invasive species Stellera chamaejasme) Inside site, extent of threat not known

The IUCN mission noted that the invasive species Stellera chamaejasme, which is a poisonous plant that colonizes areas of degraded vegetation, is a threat to ungulates. As this species is also problematic for livestock, its control relies on preventing overgrazing and grassland degradation, and requires further monitoring and study to improve management responses (IUCN, 2017).

Potential Threats High Threat

The cumulative effects of increasing traffic, the rising effects of climate change on the landscape and ecosystems as well as possible tourism development are high potential threats on all the values.

▶ Habitat Shifting/ Alteration High Threat (Future effects of climate change on the landscape and the Inside site, throughout(>50%) migration routes of ungulates and birds) Outside site

The effects of climate change also has potential impacts to the property that are hitherto unrealised. Alongside perpetuating the current threats discussed above, glacier and permafrost are very important for the Ecological and Hydrological Environment in the Hoh Xil region. With the climate warming in the Tibetan plateau, glacier melt and permafrost degradation has gained increasing attention. In the Hoh Xil region Glaciers are generally distributed in high area of Mountain Kunlun while permafrost is distributed in all the Hoh Xil region. Along the Qinghai-Tibet highway, permafrost temperature was generally higher IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

than -1.0 ℃ and the active layer thickness was thicker than 3.0 m. New research has indicated permafrost in the Hoh Xil region under server degradation, which may have a number of knock-on effects to the values of the site (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

▶ Renewable Energy Low Threat (High voltage line) Inside site, throughout(>50%) Outside site At present, there are three overhead transmission lines in the Hoh Xil area, including the Qinghai-Tibet DC transmission project (± 400 kV Chaila line) and the Qinghai-Tibet railway power supply project (110 kV NaWu line and 110 kV WuTuo line), of which the ± 400 kV Chaila direct current transmission line has a total length of 1,031.692 km and 2,361 transmission towers. The line runs mostly parallel (between 100-300m metres away) along both sides of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway , of which Section # 400 - # 960 has 561 transmission towers, and a total length of 243.161 km, going through the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve area. Power supply lines are a potential threat to birds. The authorities in charge of the national grid have taken measures to assess threats and provide measures to discourage bird strikes, but there is a need for both monitoring and reporting on their effectiveness. It is also important to note that some bird species may settle in the property as the environment evolves, requiring different measures to be considered (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Tourism/ visitors/ recreation Low Threat (Further tourism development) Inside site, not applicable

Very few tourists currently visit the property, due to the combination of altitude and challenging conditions. The authorities are investing in new infrastructure, such as a viewpoint on the motorway and a new visitor centre at the Sonam Dhargye Station. A simple tourism strategy which proposes a limitation of the visitor numbers is defined in the management plan, but no specific measures are defined to achieve this. Given the scale of the site and the limited current activity, tourism does not appear to be a particularly significant threat at the present time, however a more elaborated tourism strategy is clearly needed and should be developed as the management plan is reviewed. It would be important that tourism opportunities are linked more widely to the activities of local communities in the buffer zones of the property, and to wider tourism plans in Qinghai and its neighbours. World Heritage related strategies should be connected to the wider economic development of the local area in the most relevant way (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species, Diseases/pathogens Data Deficient (Tibetan mastiff dog/feral dog) Inside site, extent of threat not known Outside site In recent years, there were reports about increasing presence and number of feral dogs (mainly Tibetan mastiff dog) in areas like Sanjiangyuan. This is due to the collapse of Tibetan mastiff dog business in China and dogs were abandoned. A few organizations (e.g. Shanshui nature center) start research to understand the problem. Feral dogs can be threats to wildlife (attacking or disease spillover). It will be important for the management authority to conduct assessments on the status of feral dogs (mastiff dog) distribution or number inside or within the vicinity of the site so that the potential problem can be addressed in its renewed management plan (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

Overall assessment of threats High Threat

The property is very large, and therefore naturally resilient to individual threats in isolation. However, the cumulative and interactive effects of current threats, such as climate change and linear infrastructure development including fencing, the Qinghai-Tibet highway and railway, are increasingly impacting the movements of ungulates and birds, and activities linked to poorly managed agriculture, could impact the aesthetic, ecosystem and biodiversity values of the property. Potential threats are also present in the form of exacerbated effects of climate change, including permafrost degradation, IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

unsustainable tourist development and high voltage overhead power lines.

Protection and management

Assessing Protection and Management

▶ Management system Mostly Effective

The management plan appears to provide an adequate basis for the management of the property. The plan will undergo an anticipated regular review (starting with the first update scheduled for completion in 2020) to allow improvements to be made over time, and to address a number of issues. There are a number of means by which management could be strengthened, and deserve attention. There appears to be a need to strengthen and focus monitoring efforts and it would be beneficial to institute an ongoing means to track management effectiveness, and ensure systematic feedback into improvements in property management. It would also be desirable to strengthen the participation of the local herding community within management activities, noting there is already some notable engagement. Whilst the good cooperation between the two reserves and the neighbouring reserves to the west is noted, this should be strengthened and institutionalised at a higher level (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Effectiveness of management system Data Deficient

The property was inscribed in 2017 and it is too early to assess the management effectiveness of the whole system. The IUCN evaluation did note that 'The plan will undergo an anticipated regular review (starting with the first update scheduled for completion in 2020) to allow improvements to be made over time, and to address a number of issues that are further discussed in the different sections of this evaluation report'.

▶ Boundaries Some Concern

Despite the large size of the property, there would be a case, in view of the high irreplaceability scores, to include more of Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve in the property, as well as neighbouring areas (Changtang National Nature Reserve in the west), and this is called for in the decision made upon inscription of the site (World Heritage Committee, 2017). These locations cover connective migration routes of Tibetan antelope, or hold other complementary values of equal or greater significance than the current property (such as the Chang Tang Nature Reserve, which hosts more Tibetan Antelope and wild yak than the current property). There is a clear basis to consider the inscription from 2017 as the first step towards a larger site (World Heritage Committee, 2017). Changtang nature reserve, due to its protection legitiment, provide critical buffer zone function to the west of the property, as well as Arjin nature reserve to the northwest in Xinjiang. The designation of the buffer zones around the sections of the transport corridor within the property is also problematic. The site excludes the majority of the 4 km strip along the road corridor (with the exception of the areas managed as migratory corridors) from the property, and gives these areas buffer zone status. These buffer areas that are internal to the property are covered by the same legislation as the rest of the Nature Reserves.

▶ Integration into regional and national planning systems Some Concern

The overall management of the property incorporates coordination between the management of the various protected areas involved in the inscription. Better coordination between agricultural, tourism, transportation and nature conservation policy is required to achieve better integration in the provincial planning systems (IUCN, 2017) and that although good cooperation between the two reserves and the neighbouring reserves to the west was present at the time of inscription, this should be 'strengthened and institutionalized at a higher level' (IUCN, 2017). Hoh Xil nature reserve is member of the joint law enforcement alliance among 4-5 reserves on Tibetan Plateau and Kunlun highland area (Hoh Xil, Sanjiangyuan, Altun Shan, Changtang reserves, etc.). The coordination among these reserves can help improve the protection of nature and wildlife in Hoh Xil. A recent proposed dam project, called for in order to mitigate the desertification effects of climate change in the region (Xinhua, 2019), also requires IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

careful consideration regarding the precise effects that such a project would have on the hydrological systems which underpin the values of the site, which will depend on the project being subject to appropriate strategic environmental assessments (World Heritage Committee, 2018).

▶ Relationships with local people Some Concern

There are NGOs engaging in conservation actions along the Qinghai-Tibet highway, such as joint patrol during Tibetan antelope migration seasons, tourism garbage management, etc. however there is little information about how NGOs or local communities can engage in decision making for the site management (IUCN Consultation, 2020). There has been some notable engagement with local communities, as the decision to inscribe the site notes that the plan recognizes and actively involves local Tibetan herders living in the property and buffer zone in conservation, management, and educational efforts (World Heritage Committee, 2017). Additionally, the State Party has stated unequivocally that there 'will be no forced relocation or exclusion of the traditional users of the ... site, whether before or after succeeding in the application for World Heritage site'. However, concerns have been noted in this regard, as there is little evidence of local community involvement in the formation of the management plan, and what involvemnet there was deemed 'limited and unstructured' (IUCN, 2017). It is therefore desirable to strengthen the participation of the local herding community within management activities (IUCN, 2017) and the renewed 2020 management plan should include provisions for this.

▶ Legal framework Mostly Effective

The property, and its buffer zone lie within two protected areas (Hoh Xil and Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserves), which have the same national legal protection status. The two protected areas are national level nature reserves, although the latter is to be established as China's first National Park in 2020 (China Daily, 2020), and both are protected by the Regulation of the People’s Republic of China on Nature Reserves (adopted 1994). Accordingly, before the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List, the management authorities of both Nature Reserves were set up with relevant structures and staffing. After the inscription, the Conservation Regulation of the Hoh Xil Natural Heritage Area in Qinghai Province was adopted by the Standing Committee of Qinghai Provincial People’s Congress, valid from October 2016. The Conservation Regulation regulates planning, protection, management and utilisation activities within the territory of the property and its buffer zone. According to this regulation an administrative authority for the property was mandated to be set up under the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Qinghai Province to assume protection and management responsibility for the property. As noted above, two other national level Nature Reserves, Chang Tang and Altun Mountain Nature Reserve, provide further buffering functions, although are not included as a formal World Heritage buffer zone. The Kunlun Mountains also provide a natural barrier to the north of the property (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Law enforcement Highly Effective

The property covers a large area and is at high elevation. It is difficult to access and patrols are staffed adequately. Law enforcement also seems to be effective (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Implementation of Committee decisions and Data Deficient recommendations

The decision to inscribe the site was made in 2017, at which time a number of requests were made of the State Party. There is no information on whether progress has been made towards these requests.

▶ Sustainable use Some Concern

The activities of nomadic herders are a long-standing and traditional use of natural resources in the property, and have coexisted with the site's nature conservation values (IUCN, 2017). The grazing activities in the site are reducing, but their sustainability should be improved (in relation to the fencing and pest control activities). There is no more recent information on sustainable use of the site's natural resources and therefore remains as some concern. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

▶ Sustainable finance Mostly Effective

The national government, Qinghai provincial government and Yushu Prefecture government have regularly increased their investment in the property in recent years (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Staff capacity, training, and development Mostly Effective

At the time of inscription, the permanent staff in both reserves was noted by the IUCN mission as c.135 (49 staff in Zhiduo Administration Division, 49 staff in Qumalai Administrative Division and 37 staff in Hoh Xil Administrative Division). In addition, there are 13 team members based at village level (IUCN, 2017). This was deemed as adequate capacity to implement the management plan with clear commitment from national and provincial levels, and amongst local government shown by increased funding towards staff made prior to the mission (IUCN, 2017). There is no information available regarding how staff are trained in their duties.

▶ Education and interpretation programs Mostly Effective

Awareness and education programmes are foreseen in the Management plan, both for visitors and local people including in schools. The property has five visitor centres.

▶ Tourism and visitation management Some Concern

There is a tourism management plan integrated within the management plan, however it would be better to have a more in-depth view on potential tourism development and its impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value. A more elaborated tourism strategy is clearly needed and should be developed as the management plan is reviewed (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Monitoring Some Concern

Monitoring is integrated into the management plan due to be renewed. However, there were a number of suggested revisions to the proposed monitoring programme in the management plan of the site at the time of inscription, which focus on threats with a high potential to impact the Outstanding Universal Value. These threats include climate change, including its effects on wildlife (Pei et al., 2019), wildlife poaching, the inappropriate poisoning of the pika population, and the effects of linear infrastructure to wildlife migration, specifically 'to ensure that the current measures remain effective' (IUCN, 2017).

▶ Research Some Concern

A scientific research plan is included in the management plan and many research studies have been conducted and are ongoing in the property. A signficant recent research programme, composed of 28 members from five institutions, has established baseline data on lake depth within the site, which will facilitate analysis of the relationship between water reserves and climate change in the future (CAS, 2020). There is limited research publications related to wildlife (such as population dynamics, habitat use, grassland ecosystem services) which is essential as part of knowledge baseline development.

Overall assessment of protection and management Some Concern

Overall, the protection and management system does not fully address the threats to the site’s values, resulting in a number of conservation issues of some concern. These issues include the conservation of migratory wildlife arising from threats from linear infrastructure and climate change effects. Despite a good level of coordination between park management of the two protected areas which overlap with the site, there is potential to further enhance the integrity of the site through broadening to the surrounding protected areas. Monitoring of management interventions also require continued investment to ensure they remain effective in changing circumstances (eg. due to climate change) as well as revision in some cases. The renewal of the management plan in 2020 presents a natural opportunity to ensure the necessary management objectives are put in place as well as make amendments in response to recommendations of IUCN in their evaluation of the site and requests IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

from the World Heritage Committee made in 2017 upon inscription.

▶ Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and Mostly Effective management in addressing threats outside the site

The cooperation with the adjacent protected areas as well as with the authorities responsible for the management of agriculture, power transmission and transportation should be developed (IUCN, 2017). The establishment of Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve, which protectes headwaters of the rivers within the site, as China's first National Park (China Daily, 2020) is an encouraging sign that potential threats originating there will be sufficiently addressed, especially given the high threats originating from the hydrological dynamics of the site.

State and trend of values

Assessing the current state and trend of values

World Heritage values

▶ Exceptional natural beauty Low Concern Trend:Stable

The remoteness and high wilderness values of the site which underpin the site's exceptional natural beauty remain intact and therefore this value is of low concern. However, management to address the issue of desertification in some areas of the site (Xinhua, 2019) is required to ensure that this remains the case.

▶ Exceptional level of endemism and significant habitat for High Concern in situ conservation Trend:Data Deficient

There are a number of threats to this value, and the species from which it is comprised, such that significant management interventions are needed. Despite a recovery over the years prior to inscription of the site, Tibetan antelope are now increasingly threatened (Pei et al., 2019). This is as a result of climate change mediated alterations to their calving sites and migratory routes (Liu et al., 2016) in addition to impacts from linear infrastructure passing through the site which are deemed to have greater impacts than previously thought (Xu et al., 2019; Pei et al., 2019). The site as a key centre for endemism could also be further enhanced by expanding the site to include areas such as the such as the Chang Tang Nature Reserve, which is of high importance to species which contirbute to this value (IUCN, 2017). More detailed study is required to further understand the population dynamics of the key species of conservation concern in the site (IUCN Consultation, 2020).

Summary of the Values

▶ Assessment of the current state and trend of World Low Concern Heritage values Trend: Data Deficient

The values which comprise the site's OUV are of low concern overall, owing to the sites large size and remoteness, in addition to a strong legal protective regime which is supported by a network of protected areas outside the site. However, there are threats to the site's values, such as linear infrastructure and the growing influence of climate change on the hydrodynamics of the site and their subsequent impacts on wildlife, that require addressing in order to improve the conservation status of key values. Despite a recovery over the years prior to inscription of the site, Tibetan antelope are now increasingly threatened. There is also a need for greater monitoring and understanding of the drivers causing deterioration of the values in order to design appropriate IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

management interventions.

▶ Assessment of the current state and trend of other Data Deficient important biodiversity values Trend: Data Deficient

N/A.

Additional information

Benefits

Understanding Benefits

▶ Wilderness and iconic features, Sacred natural sites or landscapes

The tangible attributes of the cultural value of the property consist of sacred mountains and sacred sites, the importance of which vary from national to local level. Every village has its sacred places and some of them are inside the property and the buffer zone. They represent important sites for prayer, and consist mainly of natural features like caves, hills or mountains. Other cultural values are related to the traditional husbandry methods and to the intangible values embedded in this exceptional landscape. For many among the local population, Hoh Xil represents the birth of their ancestors, for the Tibetan population this plain represents the legendary hunting ground of their ancestors (‘Meat Mountain’). Moreover, the birth of the Hoh Xil Nature reserve and the battle to save the Tibetan antelopes form the roots of modern nature protection in China.

▶ Access to drinking water

The property is situated at the source of three important rivers for Southeast Asia. Hoh Xil is the area with the highest density of lakes in China. It connects with the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, which belongs to the convergent region of the endorheic lake area of the Changtang Plateau and the water system at the northern source of the Yangtze River (State Party of China, 2016).

▶ Direct employment, Tourism-related income

The protected areas provide a source of employment as guards and rangers for the local communities. The development of tourism can also be a source of revenue for local communities. Factors negatively affecting provision of this benefit : - Habitat change : Impact level - Moderate, Trend - Increasing

▶ Importance for research, Contribution to education, Collection of genetic material

The dynamics of the lake and river system in relation to climate change constitutes an important resource for research. The high level of endemism makes the property important for the collection of genetic material. The nature conservation success in the protection of ungulates is very important for education at national and regional level.

Summary of benefits

The site represents an outstanding source of a number of benefits. These include the cultural and spiritual values of the numerous sacred sites and mountains contained in the site, in addition to the site as a traditional grazing ground with strong traditional ties to local communities. As an area of vast highland wilderness, the site also contains important headwaters and contains the highest density of lakes in China. As a protected area of international importance, the site has garnered national, regional and local support from decision makers and thus provides jobs and other contributions to the local economy. Researchers IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

also derive benefits from the site in gaining greater understanding of high altitude wetland, grassland and mountain systems, including how these are transforming under climate change, and enhanced understanding of wildlife responses, particularly migratory ungulates of conservation concern such as the tibetan antelope. IUCN World Heritage Outlook: https://worldheritageoutlook.iucn.org/ Qinghai Hoh Xil - 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment

REFERENCES

№ References

1 China Daily. (2020). First national park will be officially established this year. [online] 9 January, China Daily. Available at: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202001/09/WS5e169733a310cf3… [Accessed 26 November 2020].

2 Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2020). Chinese Scientists Collect First Data on Lake Depth in Hoh Xil. [online] 1 April, CAS. Available at: http://english.cas.cn/newsroom/cas_media/202004/t20200401_2… (Accessed 12 August 2020).

3 IUCN Consultation. (2020). IUCN Confidential Consultation- Qinghai Hoh Xil, China.

4 IUCN. (2017). World Heritage Nomination – IUCN Technical Evaluation, Qinghai Hoh Xil (China). In: IUCN World Heritage Evaluations 2017, IUCN Evaluations of nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List. WHC/17/41.COM/INF.8B2. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. [Online] Available at: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2017/whc17-41com-inf8B2-en.pdf (Accessed on 16 July 2019).

5 Liu, B., Li, L., Feng, Q., Xie, H., Liang, T., Hou, F., & Ren, J. (2016). Outburst flooding of the moraine- dammed Zhuonai Lake on Tibetan plateau: causes and impacts. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, 13(4), 570-574.

6 Pei, J., Wang, L., Xu, W., Kurz, D. J., Geng, J., Fang, H., ... & Niu, Z. (2019). Recovered Tibetan antelope at risk again. Science, 366(6462), 194-194.

7 State Party of China. (2016). Nomination of Qinghai Hoh Xil as a World Heritage Site. [Online] Beijing, China: The ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. Available at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1540/documents/ (Accessed on 16 July 2019).

8 World Heritage Committee. (2017). 41 COM 8B.4: Qinghai Hoh Xil (China). In: Report of decisions of the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee (Krakow, Poland, 2017). [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, pp.182-185. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6876 [Accessed 12 August 2020].

9 Xinhua. (2019). Dam proposed to stop desertification in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. [online] 11 February, Xinhua. Available at: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/11/c_137812770.htm…. (Accessed 12 August 2020).

10 Xu, W., Huang, Q., Stabach, J., Buho, H., & Leimgruber, P. (2019). Railway underpass location affects migration distance in Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). PloS one, 14(2), e0211798.