Significant grassland degradation in Inner Mongolia is generally attributed by Chinese officials and scholars to overgrazing, whereas the effects of opening up grassland for farming, or what might be considered as ’over-cropping’, are overlooked. We explore this issue from a historical perspective, and focus on ploughing-up and cultivation activities promoted by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) during its last years, from 1902 to 1908. Crop expansion during that short period created profound social and ecological transformations in Inner Mongolia, and can be considered as marking the start of (a) agricultural dominance over herding, and (b) large-scale grassland degradation in the region during the twentieth century. This study indicates that over-cropping was a significant factor in reported grassland degradation in Inner Mongolia.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.