1. Introduction

　　During 2000-2001, the Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) of CCICED continued its strong tradition of sectora--workshops with a regiona--focus on Qingha--Province. In addition, the BWG has been working on producing guidelines for restoring China's degraded environment, publicizing the China Species Information System on the website of , development of Endangered Species Red List in China, Upper Yangtze integrated conservation and development, and invasive species studies. The "Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in Qinghai" was held in Xining from 25-30 June 2001, with arrangements made together with the provincia--Environmenta--Protection Bureau (EPB). The workshop consisted of two parts, field visits and meetings.

　　2. Summary of BWG Activities in 2000 and 2001.

　　Following the order of activities presented in the BWG work plan, the following progress was made during the current reporting year.

　　2.1 Biodiversity Working Group meetings

　　The BWG held one officia--meeting during the past year in Xining, Qingha--Province and two workshops on "Promoting the Use of Natura--Vegetation to Restore the Degraded Environment of China" in Beijing. The meeting in Qingha--involved site visits to nearby areas of conservation interest, followed by a sectora--meeting on Biodiversity Conservation in Qinghai.

　　2.2 Targeted sectora--meeting with Qingha--Province

　　The Biodiversity Working Group of the CCICED held a Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in Qingha--Province from 25-29 June 2001. Participants (BWG members and invited scientists) were divided into two groups for field visits (northern and southern routes). The North Group saw highland agriculture, alpine meadow, Bird Island Nature Reserve, the Baoku Forestry Area, Heiquan Reservoir, highland vegetable oi--base (rapeseed), and the Haibe--Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station of the CAS to see monitoring, research and demonstration of sustainable ecosystems (including fencing effects, alpine meadow, studies on globa--change, pastora--lifestyle and livestock farming). The South Group traveled over severa--high mountain passes and across extensive grasslands, and saw the Yellow River, low and high altitude agriculture, desert landscapes, highland fencing, pastoralist lifestyle (tents, yak, sheep), desertification and the Longyangxia Dam, which is the first large dam on the Huanghe (Yellow River). Both groups focused discussions on five main topics: 1) Impacts of livestock grazing and sedentarization of pastoralists; 2) Impact of agriculture; 3) Introduction of alien invasive species; 4) Community participation and loca--capacity building; 5) Ecotourism; and 6) Restoration of vegetation. These trips were extremely valuable for the participants to understand the current environmenta--and development situation in Qingha--province, thus providing the basis for discussions during the meeting and to assist in making recommendations to the government.

　　Two days of meetings were then held in Xining and around 90 people including national, internationa--and regiona--experts and authorities. Major sessions included:

　　--Ecosystem diversity conservation

　　--Natura--vegetation restoration

　　--Biosecurity

　　--Wildlife protection and utilization

　　--Cross-cutting issues (e.g., impacts of globa--change, loca--community participation)

　　Overall, the Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in Qingha--Province proved to be very informative and fruitfu--for al--of the participants, and many key recommendations were wel--received by provincia--authorities. A summary of this meeting, including recommendations made to the Qingha--authorities on grassland restoration, in-situ and ex-situ protection related to biodiversity conservation are included in Appendix I. In addition, the BWG finalised this annua--report for CCICED for 2001, and laid out the plans for group activities for the year 2001-2002 (Section 3).

　　2.3 Website and Online China Species Information System (CSIS)

　　Extensive updating of the China Species Information System occurred this year, supported by funding from the British Government Environment Project Fund. In addition to intensive data entry, a process to carefully review and check existing data in CSIS was completed by the following experts:

　　--Mammals -- Prof. Wang Sung, Institute of Zoology, CAS and Robert Hoffmann, Nationa--Natura--History Museum, Smithsonian Institution;

　　--Birds -- Prof. He Fenqi, Institute of Zoology, CAS; and

　　--Reptiles and amphibians -- Prof. Zhao Ermi, Chengdu Institute of Biology, CAS

　　A website, www.chinabiodiversity.com has been set up in both English and Chinese, with funds from Norwegian Government (NORAD), British Government Environment Project Fund, and cooperated with WWF-China, China Byte and the People's Daily Web. The website includes al--BWG annua--reports and technica--reports as wel--as information about more than 2500 Chinese mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. This information comes from the China Species Information System (CSIS), which covers over 8900 vertebrate species and subspecies. Online CSIS includes taxonomy, threat category, distribution, habitat, threats, protection measure and recommendations for protection. In addition to species information, it also provides information for nearly 1,000 nature reserves, references and an expert database.

　　2.4 Invasive Species Study

　　After BWG's preliminary research project on invasive species in China last year, BWG has carried out intensive studies including 1) "Study on impact of alien species to fish biodiversity in aquatic area in Yunnan Province", 2) "Survey of alien invasive species in Fujian Province", 3) "Review on mechanism of spreading and contro--measure of invasive species in China", 4) "Development of Invasive Plants List in China" and 5) "Development of China Alien Species Information System". A booklet for public awareness of "Alien Invasive Species in China" is being written, that would include genera--information on invasive species, and detailed descriptions of about 50 of the most dangerous invasive species in China.

　　2.5 Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of Biologica--Resources on the Alpine Grasslands of China Project

　　During the past year the BWG continued its activities on the high alpine grasslands of Qingha--province. This work took two forms, detailed in Appendix II. The first was an experimenta--analysis of the role of plateau pikas as a keystone species for biodiversity on the alpine grasslands. The second was a multipronged approach working at the loca--leve--in concert with the Upper Yangtze Organization and Plateau Perspectives on the Upper Yangtze Project. Major accomplishments were made in the area of environmenta--education, wildlife monitoring, and loca--capacity building. This work is ongoing, building on past successes, with the goa--of engaging loca--pastoralists in a wide diversity of biodiversity conservation activities. BWG has, in turn, facilitated work in the area of Flora and Fauna International, who are engaged in a complementary project in the area.

　　2.6 Guidelines for Restoration of China's degraded environment

　　BWG began preparation of guidelines for restoring China's degraded environment with funds from NORAD and British Governmenta--Environment Fund. Two workshops were held in Beijing to draft sections of the guide. It is expected that a complete English version wil--be finished by the end of September in time for the meeting of the Council. 5000 Chinese copies wil--be published and distributed to counties along main rivers in China.

　　2.7 Field Guide to the Birds of China

　　The Field Guide to the Birds of China was published in July 2000. 5000 copies were produced in tota--and now except severa--hundreds copies to be sent to China's reserves for free, al--copies have been sold out or send out for free. The book has received very favorable reviews from various people, and additiona--books have been requested. Now the BWG is considering publishing a second version at reduced prices to meet this demand.

　　2.8 Field Guide to the Mammals of China

　　BWG has initiated work that wil--lead to publication of two books on the mammals of China. The first wil--be an exhaustive scientific synopsis, and the second a popular field guide. Both books take as their starting points the unpublished manuscript written by Dr. Wang Sung, BWG Co-chair and some other taxonomists in China. Funds to translate the manuscript from Chinese to English were obtained, and the first draft English version was completed in early 2001. Editing of this draft has been completed and wil--serve as a template for the fina--product.

　　At the same time, other essentia--elements of the project are proceeding.

　　s A synonomy of al--scientific names ever applied to Chinese mammals has been compiled; dichotomous identification keys to al--species are being written; and a definitive checklist of species decided upon. The tota--number of species occurring in China appears to be over 500. Illustrative materials including: 1) species distribution maps; 2) illustrations of individua--species (and a preliminary list of species to be illustrated has been agreed); and 3) illustrations of skulls and other anatomica--features are being prepared.

　　s Princeton University Press, an experienced publisher of scientific books and internationa--field guides, is committed to publishing both books, and we expect to sign contracts with them in the near future. Finally, after publication of the English-language editions, we wil--seek internationa--funding for publication of a Chinese-language edition of the field guide to facilitate the identification of China's biodiversity by Chinese investigators.

　　2.9 Endangered Species Red Listing in China

　　After the first Workshop on Red Listing of Endangered Species in China in Dujiangyan, Sichuan last year, experts for different taxon groups have started to evaluate the endangered categories of Chinese flora and fauna following the IUCN Red List Criteria. They encountered various problems during the process. The second workshop was held during 2-4 July in Beijing. The participants agreed to a draft workplan of activities with a goa--of a revised Red List to be completed by the end of 2002.

　　2.10 Biodiversity Planning Support Program for Northeast and East Centra--Asia region

　　BWG is the foca--point of the Biodiversity Planning Support Programme on Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan for North and Centra--Asia sponsored by UNDP/UNEP/GEF. The project involves 9 countries (Afghanistan, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) in Northeast and East Centra--Asia. BPSP has contributed to the establishment of a regiona--list server and a web-site where specialised information on biodiversity planning and conservation are now being shared regularly.

　　Two workshops on NBSAPs in the region were held in Apri--2000, and June 2001 in Beijing. Six issues of the Newsletter of Nationa--Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans for Northeast and East Centra--Asia, and an information kit and a training materia--package of NBSAPs were produced and distributed to related NBSAP key persons in these 9 countries, especially China.

　　2.11 Guidebook of Biodiversity Principles for Developers and Planners

　　This booklet presents a multitude of ways in which careless development can cause great damage to biodiversity. We present two pictures or scenarios; the picture on the left represents careless development, the picture on the right represents the recommended alternative. The guidelines are arranged in a number of sections covering the major ecosystems of the country. In most cases the improvements carry no extra cost -- in some cases they are cheaper -- but in either case they wil--make a big difference to the loca--quality of life and quality of the environment. Over seventy pieces of texts and pairs of pictures wil--soon be ready, and it is expected that the booklet wil--be published within this year.

　　2.12 BWG article collections for the Phase Two (1997-2001)

　　The collections wil--be published in Chinese and English before the upcoming China Counci--Meeting in October 2001. Al--annua--reports of BWG generated during the second phase of CCICED wil--be included, as wil--al--technica--reports, which cover some key issues related to biodiversity conservation in China, such as survey of the wild anima--trade, Biosafety and invasive species. Various guidelines prepared by BWG, wil--be also be included.

　　3. Work Plan for finalization of ongoing projects and funding

　　Although al--working groups under CCICED wil--be changed into task forces at the conclusion of the upcoming meeting of the CCICED, there are severa--funded activities of BWG that need to be completed including: (As the change of the third phase of CCICED is unknown we cannot include any activities that aren't securely funded)

　　Activity

　　Funded by:

　　CSIS -

　　Development and data updating

　　NORAD

　　Conservation International

　　Red Listing in China

　　Three regiona--workshops and completion of updated China Red List

　　NORAD

　　Conservation International

　　Invasive species

　　Booklet on Invasive Species in China

　　NORAD + others to be identified

　　Field Guide to the Mammals of China; Synopsis of Chinese Mammals

　　NORAD

　　Princeton University Press

　　Alpine Grassland Demonstration Project

　　NORAD

　　Kadooria Charitable Foundation

　　Restoring China's degraded environment

　　Publication and distribution of booklet

　　British Governmenta--Environment Fund

　　Sichuan Dujiangyan Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

　　UNF

　　FF--(to be confirmed)

　　BWG activities have also received assistance from CCICED, SEPA, SFA, WWF and IUCN. We sincerely appreciate the assistance of these sources of support, and we are especially thankfu--to the Norwegian Government for their major grant.

　　4. Publications of BWG (2000-2001)

　　Foggin, J. Marc and A. T. Smith. 2000. Rangeland utilization and biodiversity on the alpine grasslands of Qingha--Province, People's Republic of China – The use of regiona--and county-leve--datasets. Pp. 120-130 in: Tibet's biodiversity: Conservation and management. Wu Ning, D. Miller, Lu Zh--and J. Springer, editors. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing.

　　Smith, A. T. and J. M. Foggin. 2000. The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae): A keystone species for biodiversity on the Tibetan plateau. Pp. 387-396 in: Formation and evolution, environmenta--changes and sustainable development on the Tibetan plateau. Du Zheng, editor. Academy Press, Beijing.

　　Smith, A. T. and J. M. Foggin. 2000. The plateau pika is a keystone species for biodiversity on the Tibetan plateau. Pp. 131-140 in: Tibet's biodiversity: Conservation and management. Wu Ning, D. Miller, Lu Zh--and J. Springer, editors. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing.

　　Wang, S. (ed.) et al. IUCN Chinese Newsletter (issue 13) (in Chinese)

　　XIE Yan, L--Zhenyu, William P. Gregg, L--Dianmo. 2000. Invasive Species in China -- An Overview. Biodiversity and Conservation 10(8): pp.1317-1341.

　　XIE Yan, WANG Sung, Newsletter of Nationa--Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans for Northeast and East Centra--Asia (1-6 issues)

　　YANG Junxing, Study on impact of alien fish to loca--fish in Yunnan

　　DING Jianqing, XIE Yan, Invasion mechanism and contro--strategies of alien invasive species in China

　　WANG Sung, WANG Xianpu, XIE Yan, JIN Jianming, CHEN Changdu, WANG Zongyi, QING Jianhua. Developing and Implementing Nationa--Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: Lessons from China

　　Jeffery McNeely, Human Dimensions of Invasive Alien Species: How Globa--Perspectives are relevant to China

　　Guidebook of Biodiversity Principles for Developers and Planners (to be published)

　　Restoring China's Degraded Environment – The Role of Natura--Vegetation (to be published)

　　5. Nationa--Leve--Recommendations of BWG, 2001

　　5.1 Pay sufficient attention to biodiversity and ecosystem value and functioning, incorporate them into any development policies and planning, and enhance coordination and cooperation between various government sectors.

　　--Establish a higher-leve--coordinating mechanism (such as a committee) for cooperation between various sectors to increase efficiency and to avoid conflicting goals and actions in nature management issues focusing on biodiversity and ecosystem value and functioning as wel--as to maximize the benefit from nationa--investment and foreign capital.

　　--Establish guidelines and criteria for ensuring biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functions in the various types of ecologica--construction as soon as possible. The very broad concept of ecologica--construction creates uncertainty as to how it should be implemented, and clarification of the various types of construction is urgently needed.

　　--Analyze the implementation of regulations for protected areas. The effectiveness of China's protected area network in terms of the protection afforded to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is highly deficient due to the lack of adequate implementation. This should be corrected immediately if China is to remain one of the 12 megadiversity countries in the world.

　　--Undertake a nationa--millennium assessment of the status and functioning of China's ecosystems, as part of the globa--Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), which is now underway. Develop a research program on the functiona--values of biodiversity in ecosystems, in cooperation with internationa--programs such as IGBP and Diversitas.

　　5.2 Develop an integrated strategy and action plan for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning for the Great Western Development (GWD).

　　--Carry out an Environmenta--Impact Assessment, considering especially biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, before initiating any major development project in the GWD.

　　--Establish an environmenta--monitoring program, including selected biodiversity parameters, as part of the GWD. Besides technica--and scientific programs, this should serve the purpose of raising environmenta--awareness.

　　5.3 Give much stronger emphasis to the use of natura--vegetation (native species) for restoration and rehabilitation of China's ecosystems. Specia--guidelines and recommendations should be developed for forest, grassland and wetland rehabilitation and restoration

　　5.4 Establish a nationa--biosecurity program to include both the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) issue and biosafety related to biotechnology on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation of present status. Ratify the Cartagena Protoco--on Biosafety as soon as possible and establish the necessary nationa--institutions and regulations.

　　5.5 Develop a new set of economic incentives for biodiversity conservation and maintenance/reestablishment of ecosystem services.

　　--Analyse subsidies which have negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and take remedia--action.

　　--Establish new economic compensation mechanisms for ecosystem services. (This is to ensure positive incentives for protection of ecosystem services in areas where the demand for the services is from the public outside of the area.)

　　--In the nationa--effort for the revision of the tax system, consider and develop the issue of "green taxes".

　　5.6 Develop a comprehensive education and public awareness-raising program for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

　　--A cooperative effort with the education sector should be carried out to train teachers and to include information on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in curricular at various levels.

　　--A training program for taking biodiversity concerns into consideration should be developed for the various economic sectors.

　　--A genera--information campaign, involving TV and other media, should be established.

　　--A set of popularized information materia--for biodiversity should be developed, for example, field guides, training material, newsletters, etc

　　5.7 Develop a biodiversity policy advisory team to CCICED

　　Necessity:

　　The relationship between development and biodiversity remains a centra--concern of the Government of China. The complexity of this issue might require a smal--internationa--body that can provide policy-relevant advice on a long-term basis. The Convention on Biologica--Diversity is the main internationa--agreement on this topic, but many other conventions and internationa--programmes also require input on biodiversity management, research and policies including the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Framework Convention to Combat Desertification.

　　The proposed Biodiversity Policy Advisory Team (BPAT) could provide this advice and input. BPAT, drawing on the experience and expertise of its members, would also cal--to the attention of the Government any new challenges on biodiversity that need to be addressed as China's economic development proceeds.

　　BPAT would fulfil--the following roles:

　　s Work closely with SEPA to ensure that the most up-to-date perspectives on globa--biodiversity policy are available to the Government of China

　　s Feed priority biodiversity concerns and issues into CCICED through close association to severa--serving Counci--members and can provide expertise to CCICED Task Forces as needed

　　s Identify research priorities to ensure that the Chinese Academy of Sciences (and other research institutions) continues to conduct the most relevant research on biodiversity-related topics, ranging from biosecurity issues to ecologica--restoration

　　s Bring an internationa--perspective to nationa--and provincia--leve--biodiversity issues and engage in discussions with provincia--officials to ensure that its advice is practica--and relevant at al--levels

　　Priority Tasks for the BPAT include:

　　1 Investigating:

　　s the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on biodiversity (under the Cartegena Protocol)

　　s the economic impact of invasive alien species of plants, animals, and micro-organisms (article 8h of the CBD)

　　s the impact of various carbon sequestration efforts on biodiversity (CBD and FCCC)

　　s how biodiversity can help combat desertification and provide water to China's cities (CBD and FCCD)

　　2 Ensuring the effective design and management of a representative system of protected areas (CBD, Article 8a,b)

　　3 Maintaining a biodiversity database (already developed under the CCICED Biodiversity Working Group) as a core resource of publicly available biodiversity information for China

　　Feasibility:

　　The focus of BPAT on scientific, technica--and policy-relevant implementation needs of CBD and other biodiversity-related agreements wil--make its work relevant to many governments that prioritise support for implementation of internationa--agreements including Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom and the USA.

　　This focus is also important for internationa--organisations such as ADB, the World Bank, UNDP, UNESCO, UNEP, ESCAP and the GEF as wel--as many conservation NGOs. The BPAT wil--also help to co-ordinate the work of these various internationa--agencies interested in supporting China's activities that related to biodiversity.

　　Composition:

　　The BPAT should consist of a smal--core of about 8 high leve--Chinese experts from SEPA, CAS and relevant ministries and 8 internationa--experts from Europe, North America and Japan. Additiona--expertise should be provided to address specific issues that may arise. A smal--secretariat should be established to support the work of the BPAT. The permanent core group wil--provide continuity to the BPAT and establish and maintain working relationships with the various ministries and internationa--organisations.

　　Annex I:

　　Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in Qingha--Province

　　Recommendations

　　CCICED Biodiversity Working Group

　　25-29 June 2001

　　The Biodiversity Working Group of the CCICED held a Workshop on Biodiversity Conservation in Qingha--Province from 24-30 June 2001. Participants were divided into two groups and separately visited areas around Xining. During these field trips, participants visited some representative ecosystems and managed areas of Qingha--including examples of highland agriculture and pastoralism, Qingha--Lake Nature Reserve, Baoku Forestry Area and Reserve, and Haibe--Grassland Ecosystem Research Station. Based on observations in these field trips discussions held during the workshop, the following recommendations are made:

　　1. Genera--Recommendations

　　1.1. A provincia--biodiversity strategy and action plan (PBSAP) for Qinghai

　　The achievement of the nationa--objectives and obligations of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and the sharing of benefits from that use, is a complex and difficult task. Al--the economic and other sectors at the various administrative levels need to be involved. Education, awareness raising and creation of ownership among al--the stakeholders are necessary. The nationa--BSAP has set out the goals and framework for action, but the situation for implementation is different in al--provinces. Therefore, there is a need to develop a provincia--BSAP to outline how Qingha--is to contribute to this nationa--task. Monitoring of progress in implementation has to be included in this PBSAP. However, the development of this plan must not delay urgent tasks in biodiversity conservation. Capacity building among relevant authorities is of the utmost priority.

　　1.2. A co-ordinating mechanism for work on biodiversity issues at the provincia--level

　　Among the various bodies at the provincia--leve--(also at the county and prefecture leve--in many areas), there is a serious lack of co-operation and co-ordination of policies, plans and actions relating to nature management and biodiversity conservation. To avoid conflicting policies and actions and to rationalise this work, which could save a lot of money and time, a co-ordinating mechanism is needed. This body could also be responsible for steering the work of development and implementation of the PBSAP.

　　1.3. A set of plans, practica--tools and information materials for public education and awareness-raising on biodiversity conservation

　　The degradation of nature and loss of biodiversity is often caused by the lack of knowledge of the ecologica--basis for our survival. This was stressed many times in the visit to Qinghai. Decision-makers and the public in genera--(with a specia--emphasis on schoolchildren) must therefore be the target for an urgent initiative to rectify the situation. The schoo--curricula should be changed, teachers educated to do the task, and media involved to spread the information.

　　1.4. Ensure that economic incentives promote sustainable use of natura--resources

　　Some government polices may be promoting over-exploitation of natura--resources. Tax polices, subsidies, road-building projects, etc., are often penning new areas against poachers, promoting excess populations of sheep, and destroying biodiversity. Instead, economic incentives should be designed to tax systems that encourage sustainable leve--of road systems that leve--some areas remote, and to develop a water pricing system that pays pastoralists for conserving watersheds, etc. As an example, herders should be taxed according to head of livestock rather than land area, reducing the incentive to over-graze land.

　　2. Conservation of Alpine Grassland Ecosystems

　　2.1. Improve Plateau Biodiversity management:

　　--Halt and reverse the conversion of natura--pasture to agriculture.

　　Many fields that were tilled and planted with crops around 10 years ago have already been either abandoned or replanted with grass as part of the nationa--grassland restoration program of the Great Western Development Plan. This restoration program focuses primarily on Yushu, Guoluo and Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures, al--in southern Qingha--province. Many of the plant species used are introduced from elsewhere in China and overseas. It is not clear who (locally) wil--benefit most from the restored land and /or the remaining fields.

　　--Plateau pikas should be reintroduced to previously poisoned areas to restore the health of the alpine grassland ecosystem

　　The plateau pika has been considered a pest species because it putatively competes with native livestock for forage and may contribute to rangeland degradation. As a result the plateau pika has been poisoned across vast areas of the high alpine meadows of the plateau. One recent review stated that "cumulatively, more than 208,000 km2 … was treated with rodenticides…" These massive poisoning programs are ongoing. On our field trips very few pikas were seen. Pikas have even been poisoned at the Haibe--Alpine Meadow Ecosystem Research Station (CAS), one of the few places where comprehensive research could be conducted on the ecologica--role of this species. The pika population at Bird Island Nature Reserve has disappeared -- most likely the result of poisoning. Many speakers at the workshop confirmed that the pika is considered a pest and is controlled throughout the province.

　　However, the BWG considers the pika to be a keystone species for biodiversity and proper ecosystem functioning on the plateau. Healthy populations of plateau pikas are an indicator of the health of this important ecosystem. It is because of the following factors: 1). The plateau pika makes burrows that are utilized by native species of birds and lizards. For example, Hume's groundpecker (Pseudopodoces humilis) and snowfinches (Montifringilla spp. and Pyrgilauda spp.); 2). The plateau pika serves as the principa--prey for nearly al--the plateau's avian and mammalian predators. 3). The burrowing activity of plateau pikas creates microhabitats result in increased plant species richness. 4). The burrowing activity of pikas presents the opportunity for enhanced nutrient cycling in the thick alpine sod soil, and 5). Plateau pikas make a network of deep underground burrows, and these can serve to percolate rainfal--to lower soi--profiles. In this way, pikas contribute to the "sponge" effect of the soil.

　　BWG knows of no definitive studies that have shown plateau pikas to be a true pest. Studies used to justify the role of plateau pikas as a pest species fal--into two categories. The first indicates that pikas utilize more vegetation when they are found at high densities, and the forage that they eat is at the expense of livestock. This finding is not surprising, as it is like more food being eaten at a big versus smal--banquet. The question is why pikas are sometimes found at very high densities. Chinese ecologica--literature is very clear on this matter: pikas are found at high densities where the grasslands have been overgrazed. Thus, the occurrence of high populations of pikas may be symptomatic of rangeland degradation, not the cause. Also, Chinese literature indicates that at low densities pikas do not compete with livestock; competition between livestock and pikas occurs only when the land is overstocked with livestock. Thus, the main solution to rangeland degradation appears to be simple -- stocking rates should be reduced. If this program is carried out successfully, pika populations wil--be found at lower densities, while maintaining their keystone species function, and sufficient herbage wil--be available for anima--husbandry. This is a win-win situation. Biodiversity is enhanced and maintained, livestock wil--attain high condition, and the expense and effort of pika contro--efforts wil--be avoided.

　　Second, pikas are thought to be the cause of "Black sand" areas. But, there are no convincing data to indicate that these areas have been formed because of the activity of pikas. Pikas are seen in black sand areas eating away at the edges, but this observation occurs only after the black sand areas have been formed. The origin of black sand areas remains a big question, and one worthy of an extensive research effort.

　　In summary, al--available evidence shows that plateau pikas are a keystone species for biodiversity and ecosystem function on the plateau and not a pest species. Our recommendations highlight the ecologica--importance of this species in the ecosystem and the need to have healthy pika populations for the Qingha--meadow ecosystem.

　　BWG can offer one other important observation concerning the economic importance of plateau pikas. This species is active during the day, easily observed, and very socia--– they engage in a suite of very interesting behaviors and vocalizations. In Japan and the United States, other pika species (O. hyperborea, O. princeps, respectively), are an important component of ecotourism. These rock-dwelling pikas are solitary and less interesting behaviorally than the plateau pika. Thus, the plateau pika could easily be a centerpiece for nature ecotourism in Qinghai, and this opportunity is being lost with al--the poisoning efforts targeting pikas.

　　2.2. More sustainable pastora--practices must be identified and applied

　　The conflict between development and conservation is more evident in the highland. Though the road system and living conditions of loca--people have been improved very much in the past decade, the degradation of the loca--ecosystem has been serious. Land degradation was obvious throughout most of the field trip, mostly the result of overgrazing and former conversion of grassland to cropland. It also was noted that in severa--instances, livestock herders have been marginalized from the best (former) grazing land as new farmland has been developed over the past severa--decades. Therefore, there is now increased grazing pressure on increasingly smaller areas of natura--grassland. Some loca--herders attributed changes in the abundance of wildlife and in grassland conditions to these relatively recent farming ventures. Furthermore, highland agriculture (mostly rapeseed) sometimes has been developed by attracting non-loca--immigrants from eastern China, with little or no direct benefit to loca--herders who now also have reduced grazing land. One individua--herder noted a specific decrease in sheep carcass weights of over 50 percent (from 50 to 20 kg) during the past few decades.

　　Given that the objective of development is to improve the standard of living in a sustainable way, the needs and desires of Qinghai's rura--populations are of critica--importance. Pastoralists have lived on the grasslands for hundreds of years and have developed means of managing herds in a sustainable manner, but various factors (population growth, etc.) are leading to unsustainable use of the grassland. The following polices should be considered:

　　--Promote the concept of "dynamic carrying capacity" The government should promote livestock mobility as a means of avoiding over-grazing. The need for seasona--mobility and flexibility should also be explored in greater detai--(as opposed to the sedentarization and land use intensification currently being promoted by government bureaus). Arid grasslands wil--not be able to sustain year-round grazing in the long-term to the detriment of both loca--herders and the province/nation as a whole.

　　--Promote economic diversification, as a means of reducing risk and population pressure on grasslands. This would include encouraging more "pastora--friendly" policies that facilitate a trend towards market-oriented enterprises. Current efforts to intensify pastoralism (whether by relocating pastoralists into villages or by growing more winter fodder and hence decreasing herd mobility) can have significant detrimenta--effects on the grassland because of increased year-round livestock grazing in the vicinity of fixed places of residence. This overgrazing wil--decrease the sustainability of resource use.

　　--Study the ecologica--impact of the fencing of pastures. Wild ungulates' movements are limited by physica--barriers. Scale is important: fences for household winter fodder production are likely to have a lesser negative impact than regiona--fences. The analysis of fencing should consider its effects on rangeland conditions and on the socio-economic status of loca--households, using both short- and long-term cost-benefit analyses.

　　--Avoid settling land that is currently unoccupied. Such land it is unlikely to be sustainable for grazing by domestic livestock.

　　--Resource management by severa--households (10-20 families at a time), as opposed to the individua--"household responsibility system", should be considered for grassland areas. Larger-scale resource management units may be more appropriate for climatically unpredictable arid grassland ecosystems. Collaborative management could use community-based means of reducing risk to individua--pastoralists, and reducing stocking density.

　　2.3. Improve Nature Reserve Management

　　The management of the Qingha--Lake Nature Reserve is poor. There are few facilities or staff available for the purpose of educating the public or raising public awareness. There is a plan to plant non-native tree species along the road, which wil--destroy the unique landscape and may cause a destructive effect on the loca--flora. The management of Baoku Forestry Area and Reserve also needs to be improved. There is an opportunity to plant conifer trees artificially to promote recovery the natura--vegetation of the area.

　　Protected areas are important elements of provincia--land-use plans. The protected area system makes numerous contributions to the ecologica--functioning of the natura--resources of the province, and to conserving in situ biodiversity, including species protected under Chinese laws. The following polices are recommended

　　--The system of nature reserves within Qingha--should represent the overal--distribution of biodiversity and natura--resources within the province. Nature reserves should conserve al--native species, regardless of taxonomic identity and ecologica--role; for example, native insects and smal--birds should receive protection and support as more glamorous species such as gazelles and cranes. The reserve system should also ensure that adequate populations of al--threatened species are contained within protected areas. Appropriate and urgent action is required for Przewalski's gazelle, which has been almost eliminated and currently occurs only in Qingha--in the world.

　　--Emphasise effectiveness rather than size in establishment of protected areas. The establishment of nature reserves should be based on the quality of the area's biologica--resources and the ability of reserve officials to effectively manage the reserve.

　　--Each reserve should be managed with a prevailing philosophy for nature conservation. This would include ensuring that eco-tourism does not damage ecosystems. If a nature reserve is developed as an eco-tourism site, amenities to facilitate eco-tourism should not compromise the area's biologica--resources, and amenities should be planned to complement the area's natura--resources and not interfere with them

　　--Ban mining in protected areas. Miners are known to deplete wildlife populations and disrupt natura--ecosystems.

　　--Ensure that adequate funding for protected areas is provided under the Great Western Development Programme

　　--Prevent the spread of invasive species into nature reserves. Under no circumstances should alien species be introduced or allowed to propagate or establish in nature reserves.

　　3. Conservation of Wetland and Aquatic Habitats

　　--Wetland areas on the plateau should receive specia--attention for biodiversity conservation because of their unique function

　　Wetland areas hold a disproportionate number of endemic and little-known species, thus are worthy of preservation. Additionally, in Qingha--province these areas represent key storage areas for water in the drainage of the three great rivers.

　　--Preserve basa--flow in al--rivers

　　A top priority in rehabilitating Yellow River hydrology is the restoration of natura--vegetation in the upper catchments and the protection of remaining natura--grassland. Dams destroy river continuity, and negative impacts should be mitigated, for example through application of fish ladders.

　　--Increased efforts should be made to conserve the endemic fish fauna in Qingha--province.

　　BWG were alarmed that the once abundant fish in Qingha--lake now appear to be threatened by over-exploitation and declining lake levels, necessitating a ban on most fishing activity in the lake. The fish fauna in the lake include an entire family of fishes, Schizothoracidae, that are found nowhere else in the world.

　　--A holistic approach should be taken for the management of water resources, including the potentia--for healthy alpine grasslands to serve as a sponge -- holding water and releasing it slowly, thus reducing the threat of erosion downstream in the three great rivers area

　　There is a healthy interaction, often overlooked, between the terrestria--and aquatic components of ecosystems. Terrestria--systems have the potentia--to hold and release water slowly, but this function on the alpine grasslands can only be realized with healthy natura--sod soils. Areas where the sod layer has been plowed or removed are prone to rapid runoff and increased erosion potentia---- which compounds problems further downstream in each of the great rivers.

　　4. Natura--Vegetation Restoration and Hydrology Protection

　　4.1 Conserving and restoring natura--vegetation

　　--Halt and reverse the conversion of natura--pasture to agriculture

　　Land degradation was obvious throughout most of the trip, mostly the result of overgrazing, but also the conversion of former grassland to cropland. Some loca--herders attributed changes in the abundance of wildlife and in grassland conditions to these relatively recent farming ventures. Furthermore, highland agriculture (mostly rape seed) sometimes has been developed by attracting non-loca--immigrants from eastern China, with little or no direct benefit to loca--herders who now also have reduced grazing land. One individua--herder noted a specific decrease in sheep carcass weights of over 50 percent (from 50 to 20 kg) during the past few decades. Some intensification of anima--husbandry was also noted, particularly with regard to fodder production for winter feed.

　　--Clarify policy directives by refining the usage of the terms "Ecologica--Construction" and "Ecologica--Restoration"

　　The first priority in the Great Western Development strategy is stated as "ecologica--construction" and "ecologica--protection". The group discussed the definition of the terms "ecologica--construction" and "ecologica--restoration". Most participants felt that these concepts and the relationship between them are unclear. They felt that restoration was a more appropriate term for returning degraded ecosystems to a more natura--state. The use of the term "construction" reflects a widespread assumption that ecosystems are simple enough to be engineered; this is generally not the case. The commonly-held conception of ecologica--construction seem to encompass severa--different objectives: 1) Conversion of natura--land into agricultura--land; 2) Restoring particular environmenta--services (such as soi--or water conservation or carbon sequestration); 3) Restoring biodiversity and ecologica--functioning (such as energy flow, seed dispersa--and pollination) to make them as close to natura--ecosystems; and 4) Protecting existing biodiversity and ful--ecosystem functioning. The term is too broad a concept to apply one single set of criteria and guidelines. It is necessary to sub-divide it into severa--categories and develop specia--criteria and guidelines for achieving each of different objectives.

　　--Follow natura--succession to restore vegetation, using only native species.

　　The genera--principle should be that if natura--processes wil--enable ecosystem restoration, they should be allowed to do so; human assistance should target those processes or attributes (such as seed dispersal, shading etc.) which are absent or too slow to meet restoration objectives.

　　Qingha--has introduced many exotic species. Qingha--representatives noted that in trying to restore degraded grassland using exotic species, short-term success had been followed by slower growth later. Experience suggests that exotic species wil--either fail, due to a lack of adaptation to loca--conditions, or wil--thrive and cause damage to natura--ecosystems. Native species have adapted to the ful--range of loca--conditions over hundreds of thousands of years. The combination of species in an ecosystem has a delicate inter-relationship of resource utilisation. Any exotic species which can survive in loca--conditions are likely to disrupt this, killing or outcompeting native species, causing the loss of Qinghai's unique biodiversity resources, and economic impacts due to the loss of ecotourism and environmenta--services.

　　--Recreate the original, natura--vegetation functions

　　In the light of ecologica--functions (e.g. soi--water conservation) of natura--vegetation, programmes to restore degraded landscape/terrestria--habitats (e.g. returning farmland to forests/grassland), should use native species of trees, shrubs, grasses and other herbs to recreate the original, natura--vegetation formations (i.e. forests, shrublands, grasslands) as far as possible. These vegetation formations, and the individua--plant species they comprise, are the product of interaction and evolution between these plant species, other living organisms (including animals, fung--and bacteria) and the physica--environment over vast periods of time. Any change to the components of the system would alter, and very often impair, the functioning of the origina--system.

　　If the purpose of restoring vegetation cover in degraded areas is for environmenta--services, (e.g. soi--water conservation and hence flood contro--in the nationa--drive to "return farmland to forests/grassland"), the use of origina--native species of the right mix must be emphasized as far as possible. Hence for instance, "returning" farmland (e.g. cornfields) on slopes with a gradient of 25-35O in Sichuan Province to plantations of Gingko or Tangerines does not make much of an improvement in environmenta--services (i.e. water conservation) over cornfields as compared with the effect that would have been provided by the original, species rich sub-tropica--forests. It is the origina--sub-tropica--forest with mixed native species that should be restored. Similarly, in the upland area of Qingha--Province, there are no scientific grounds to plant trees on degraded grasslands where trees had never been part of the natura--landscape since the last ice age. In such a case, the use of a good mix of native grasses, herbs and shrubs where applicable to recreate what had been there before the destruction is necessary to correct over exploitation by human beings over the recent past. If necessary, native plant nurseries should be established to support vegetation restoration. This could be a source of employment. Loca--communities should be involved in al--stages of vegetation restoration.

　　--Conduct the research necessary to permit the promotion of native species in restoration

　　There is evidence that most institutes and agencies involved in research of grass seeds are mainly studying or testing imported alien species from the USA and European countries. The main reason is that studies on alien species usually attract more funds from internationa--and nationa--agencies. There is an extreme lack of funding for studying loca--species.

　　The use of alien plant species may be considered only after both extensive and intensive trials on native individuals have been tried without success. In such cases, only non-invasive aliens could be considered and the whole process must be under close monitoring. Also this must be a transient measure and the introduced plants must be replaced gradually by native species over reasonable short period of time so that the origina--natura--vegetation formation with good mix of native species wil--be established.

　　Such a practice should be implemented throughout the whole country from Heilongjiang to Hainan, and from Xizang to Shandong.

　　4.2 Balance short-term and long-term benefits, and loca--and nationa--perspectives

　　Current Government priorities appear to emphasise short-term development, without due consideration of either longer-term sustainability or the essentia--supply of water to downstream provinces. Current priorities also fai--to take sufficient notice of Qinghai's importance in providing water to downstream provinces. This is partly because Qinghai's role as a water provider is not properly rewarded.

　　4.3 Avoid monoculture of either exotic or loca--species

　　Qingha--agricultura--researchers continue to give priority to experimenting with monocultures of exotic or loca--species from various countries. This is unfortunate, as single-species systems fai--to provide the ecologica--functions such as water and soi--nutrient conservation; they wil--exhaust the soil's capacity for plant growth. Monocultures are also highly susceptible to fire, disease and pest attack, and lead to biodiversity loss. Researchers are developing a system to relieve winter grazing pressure by use of oat or oat/legume plots to produce hay for livestock; this is said to be up to 20 times as productive as grassland pasture. This system should not be further developed unless strictly tied to a compensation system that frees, for example, 20 hectares of pasture for every hectare of intensive agriculture.

　　5. Wildlife utilization

　　The widespread, unsustainable collection of caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis; Chinese, chongcao) was also observed in severa--locations.

　　5.1. Contro--and management of natura--resource-based businesses should be improved

　　Nature provides numerous goods of economic importance, but many are being harvested at unsustainable levels. Contro--and management of natura--resource-based business development should be improved to ensure the long-term protection (sustainable use) of plants and animals with medicina--values. Furthermore, the medicina--value of wildlife species should be investigated scientifically, and if possible, alternatives identified for species threatened by this use.

　　The economic value of wildlife is a reason to protect species for long-term sustainable use. Economic valuation can thus serve as a too--for conservation.

　　To achieve the above, specific direct linkages between conservation and development must also be developed, particularly with profits shared equitably and sustainably with loca--resource users.

　　The collection of wild plants, such as the caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis; Chinese chongcao), can be very detrimenta--to grassland ecosystems through the physica--presence of large numbers of plant collectors (disturbing wildlife) and by disturbing the land by digging. More contro--and management of plant collection is therefore needed.

　　In addition, the existing trend of large-scaled exploiting wild species of flora and fauna for Tibetan traditiona--medicine would cause further declining of the natura--resources of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Efficient measures must be taken for its management and monitoring.

　　The following polices wil--enable the resources use to be sustainable:

　　--Immediately ban al--trade in Chiru (Tibetan antelope) products, as an emergency measure to prevent their extinction,

　　--Establish appropriate quotas on each species of medicina--plants and animals, based on survey & monitoring

　　--Assess distribution and consumption levels of wild plants and animals for medicina--use

　　5.2. Ban hunting of al--threatened species

　　Because populations of virtually all-potentia--game species in Qingha--have been reduced to a critica--low level, al--hunting should be banned for a period of ten years and monitoring of those populations in response to this management change should be undertaken. This would enable many populations to recover to a leve--that may support a sustainable harvest. Any such harvest should be based on studies of the relevant wildlife populations.

　　Any plan to attract foreign hunters of trophy animals should be postponed unti--the wildlife populations can support such hunting.

　　6. Other biodiversity issues & cross-sectora--cooperation

　　6.1 Climate change

　　The climate of Qingha--Province has undergone remarkable changes in temperature (annua--increase of 2oC) and rainfal--(seasona--decrease of 3-10%) that has resulted in a much drier climate and shrinking wetland and river systems. It is expected that this trend wil--only be accelerated in the future.

　　Studies conducted by the Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology have demonstrated the important role of undegraded alpine meadow (Kobresia humilis) as a carbon sink as wel--as providing underground biomass to stabilise the soi--bed. However, with increasing temperatures, biomass wil--be decreased and the carbon sink and ground stabilising effects wil--both be decreased as well. As a result, integrity of this fragile ecosystem wil--fai--resulting in desertification and significant loss of biodiversity.

　　--Encourage the Governments of China and Qingha--to adopt whatever measures are necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change and to promote adoption and implementation of the Kyoto protocol.

　　--Encourage efforts to restore grassland ecosystems with biodiversity friendly ways and, thereby, their role in mitigating climate change

　　6.2 Biodiversity conservation research priorities in Qinghai

　　The three current biodiversity conservation research priorities in Qingha--Province are:

　　1) monitoring the impact of the Golmud/Lhasa railroad. Although some mitigation efforts have been put in place (e.g. 'bridges' for migrating wildlife), the true nature and extent of the impact of this construction on biodiversity is unknown.

　　2) protecting the Qingha--Lake wetland system. Climate change effects have resulted in significant decrease in the water leve--(3 meters in the last 50 years). Pollution, secondary to industries located adjacent to the wetland, also presents an important threat to biodiversity. Research plans include i) examination of anima--husbandry and ecotourism as possible, less damaging options for land use in the area and ii) developing a better baseline understanding of the fish populations living in the lake.

　　3) protecting the biodiversity of the headwaters of the Changjiang and Huanghe. In this area, human/wildlife conflict is a major problem and has led to habitat degradation in the past. Investigation of replanting/restoration techniques as wel--as improved use of existing meadows is needed.

　　In addition to the above topics we also suggest investigation of

　　--effects of increased salinisation, alien species and other threats on native fish (including the endemic Gymnocypris spp.) and other species of Qingha--lake

　　--salinisation of agricultura--land

　　--effect of grassland mammals and invertebrates on the sponge effectLong-term monitoring of the major grassland and forest types including productivity, species composition, carbon sequestration, etc.

　　--incorporate research findings into the policies for maintaining and restoring the grassland ecosystem and for the management of the plateau grassland ecosystem

　　6.3 Loca--Communities and Biodiversity Conservation

　　The important role that loca--communities can play in effective biodiversity conservation, in particular through loca--cultura--beliefs, has been clearly demonstrated in Qingha--through the activities of NGOs such as the Upper Yangtze Organisation. However, problems currently encountered in southwest Qingha--include:

　　--a lack of awareness of conservation issues - loca--people can be the first to notice a problem and they need to be sensitised to the indicators

　　--a lack of communication between scientists and their research and the loca--communities that could make use of them in managing their natura--resources

　　--a lack of education/information on basic natura--resource management, e.g., preventing the introduction of alien invasive species

　　--a lack of involvement of loca--communities in important decisions affecting them, e.g., the Sanjiangyuan (Three Great Rivers) protected area

　　--economic gains from tourism in the area do not return to the loca--people but rest with tour operators from the city

　　BWG therefore suggests that the following aspects should be greatly strengthened,

　　--Links between al--levels of which government and the loca--communities, especially involving major decisions such as establishment of protected areas

　　--Development and use of training materials on biodiversity/natura--resource use and management for loca--people

　　--Effective system of economic incentives for loca--people to maintain alpine grasslands as one of their roles in participating in ecotourism

　　--Discontinuation of the sale of land in western China (for agricultura--development, or for the planting of trees / 'new' forest) to individuals or companies in eastern China as a part of their "compensation" for urbanization and consequent loss of farmland in eastern China.

　　--Capacity building should be promoted at loca--levels as wel--as the provincia--level, such as in wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, service sector, etc. This would likely increase a loca--sense of ownership of natura--resources (biodiversity), and hence increase loca--support for long-term environmenta--protection efforts.

　　6.4 Ecotourism

　　Tourism, including ecotourism, is being promoted for economic development throughout the province. Ecotourism has the potentia--to fund conservation programs, and hence to protect the natura--resources (biodiversity) – the very foundation of this industry – yet current tourism development planning in Qingha--Province does not seem to prioritize the "eco" of eco-tourism. In one instance, the construction of a long (4 km) tunne--is planned in order to open up a large region of the province, yet this tunne--would actually by-pass some of the most beautifu--scenery near Xining. A large variety of other beautifu--vistas were also noted on the southern trip as wel--as fairly significant bird life (except raptors, which are few in number where the plateau pika has been exterminated). If landscapes are adequately protected, ecotourism has the potentia--to be successfully developed in Qingha--province. However, a lot more planning for environmenta--protection stil--needs to be undertaken.

　　There was no evident active management of tourism in any of the natura--areas visited by the Group - we saw limited staffing, minima--public education materials and litter strewn throughout the areas. This is not a situation unique to Qinghai, however, due to the fragile nature of the province's ecosystems, the need for adequate attention to this economic enterprise is vital.

　　--A set of guidelines for al--Tourism programmes in Qingha--should be established and enforced that include an overal--philosophy of 'back to nature', a commitment to non-polluting activities, inclusion of public education and awareness in al--enterprise as wel--as contribution to loca--economic development.

　　--Improvements for tourism development are stil--needed in the service sector (e.g., quality of accommodations)

　　--Assessing and limiting the number and/or environmenta--impact of tourism construction projects (e.g., road construction).

　　Annex I

　　Appendix 1 Participants of Qingha--Biodiversity Conservation Workshop

　　BWG members

　　Wang Sung (Co-chair) Inst. Zool., Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

　　Jin Jianming State Environment Protection Agency (EPA)

　　Zhao Shidong Inst. Geograph. & Nat. Res. Inst., CAS

　　Qing Jianhua State Forestry Administration

　　Zhu Mingyuan 1st Oceanography Inst. of State Administration of Oceanography

　　L--Dianmo Inst. Zool., CAS

　　Ma Keping Inst. of Botany, CAS

　　Peter Sche--(Co-chair) Director, Dir. for Nature Management, Norway

　　John MacKinnon DICE, Kent University UK

　　Robert Hoffmann Div. Mammals, Smithsonian Institution, USA

　　Jeff McNeely Biodiversity Programme, IUCN

　　Andrew Smith (Coordinator) Dept. Zool., Arizona State Univ., USA

　　Jim Harkness WWF – China Programme Office

　　Susan Mainka (de facto) Species Surviva--Programme, IUCN

　　Lawrence Chau (de facto) Kadoorie Farm & Botanica--Garden, HK

　　Shunj--USUI（Representing Kunio Kikuchi）Natn. Wildlife Research Center, Japan

　　Xie Yan (Coordinator) Inst. of Zool., CAS

　　Representatives from Prov. Government

　　Mu Dongsheng Vice Governor

　　Zhou Yongzh--Vice Mayor of Xining City

　　He Dongjiang Director, Qingha--Prov. Environment Protection Bureau (EPB)

　　Zhao Haoming Dep. Director, Qingha--EPB

　　Zhang Shengjie Qianha--EPB

　　Me--Jieren Qianha--EPB

　　Gu Wul--Qianha--EPB

　　Q--Ming Qianha--EPB

　　Liu Y--Qianha--EPB

　　Zhu Lixin Qianha--EPB

　　Liu Dongqing Qianha--EPB

　　Ren Yong Qianha--EPB

　　Ge Jingsong Qianha--EPB

　　Wang Qingl--Qianha--EPB

　　Wu Shuishun Qingha--Sci. & Tech. Dept.

　　Awang Jiancuo Qingha--Prov. Husbandry Dept.

　　Wang Daming Grassland Dept., Prov. Husbandry Bur.

　　L--Jun Office, Prov. Husbandry Bur.

　　Dang Xiaoyong Qingha--Prov. Forestry Bur.

　　Liao Taiyu Dep. D.G., Prov. Water Conservation Dept

　　Zheng Jie Wildlife Section/Qingha--Prov. Forestry Bur.

　　Liu Tianzhu Prov. Forestry Bur.

　　Wang Lixin Qingha--Prov. Agriculture Dept

　　Wang Lixin Prov. Agriculture Bur.

　　Sh--Xiaobo Qingha--Prov. Tourism Bur.

　　Hou Baojian Director, Prov. West Development Office

　　Luo Mingbao Director, Xining EPB

　　Zhou Zujun Xining EPB

　　Wang Peisheng Xining Education Commission

　　Zhaduo Zhiduo County, Qinghai

　　Internationa--organizations and NGOs

　　Leiv Landro Norwegian Embassy

　　Qian Qihong U.S. Embassy

　　John Fellowes Kadoorie Farm & Botanica--Garden, HK

　　Bosco Chan Kadoorie Farm & Botanica--Garden, HK

　　Michae--Harding Fauna & Flora International

　　Marc Foggin Executive Director, Plateau Perspective

　　Marion Foggin Plateau Perspective

　　Gyatso Plateau Perspective

　　Drash--Dorje HASH--Upper Yangtze Conservation and Development Organization

　　Jinping Yu Zoo Atlanta

　　La--Chien Hsun Dept. Biology, Arizona State Univ.

　　Wang Haibin Independent Natura--Resources Consultant

　　Stephen Fuller Senior Scientist, GEF China Wetland Program

　　Nationa--experts

　　Qian Yinqian Inst. of Botany, CAS

　　Chen Lingzh--Inst. of Botany, CAS

　　Ding Jianqing Biologica--Contro--Inst., Chinese Acad. Agr. Sci.

　　L--Junyang Zhejiang University

　　Su Jianping Northwest Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Zhao Xinquan Northwest Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Zhang Yanming Northwest Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Zhou Xingmin NW Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Peng Ming NW Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Kang Ling NW Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Tao Shuanglun NW Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Chen Guichen NW Plateau Inst. of Biology, CAS

　　Zhao Zhenying Inst. Geograph. & Nat.Res. Inst., CAS

　　Xiong Haihong Qingha--Inst. of Environment Sciences

　　L--Fajiang Qingha--Inst. of Environment Sciences

　　Zhang Dengshan Qingha--Inst. of Agriculture Sciences

　　Wang Liuying Qingha--Husbandry & Veter. Inst.

　　Xu Chengt--Qingha--Husbandry & Veter. Inst.

　　Wang Min Dep. Director, Xining Zoo

　　Lang Baining Qingha--Husbandry & Veter. Inst.

　　Zhu Zhihong Agriculture and Husbandry Dept., Qingha--University

　　L--Junxiang Agriculture and Husbandry Dept., Qingha--University

　　Yan Lin Agriculture and Husbandry Dept., Qingha--University

　　Ma Haizhou Qingha--Norma--University

　　Chen Yuanfu Qingha--Norma--University

　　Liu Tongjian Qingha--Plateau Endangered Species Breeding Center

　　S--Wenxuan Qingha--Plateau Endangered Species Breeding Center

　　Guo Jingsh--Qingha--Environment Monitor Center Station

　　Zhu Hu--Qingha--Environment Monitor Center Station

　　Others

　　An Shiyuan Chinese Environment News

　　Dong Zh--Chinese Nature

　　Xie Minhua Interpreter

　　Wu Jinjun State Administration for Broadcast & TV

　　Wang Yan Xining Third Middle School

　　Annex I

　　Appendix 2 Specific Recommendations for Protected Areas in Qinghai

　　These recommendations are based upon BWG's observations of two nature reserves and discussions during the Workshop on Biodiversity in Qinghai, which in particular highlighted the establishment of a new large nature reserve, Three Great Rivers (San Jiang Yuan), encompassing southwestern Qingha--province. Our accompanying justifications are designed to support both the genera--and reserve-specific recommendations.

　　Bird Island Nature Reserve:

　　--Non-native poplars which have been planted along the approach road into the reserve should be removed

　　BWG noted that an introduced non-native species of poplar had been planted along the approach road. There are severa--significant problems with this development. First, it is inappropriate to promote the establishment of a non-native species in a nature reserve. Second, upon their maturation these poplars wil--totally restrict the vision of eco-tourists visiting the reserve, and wil--detract from the visitor's experience. Thus, the promotion of planting poplars appears short-sighted.

　　--Smal--mammals are an important component of the natura--ecosystem and should not be artificially reduced or removed

　　BWG noticed that plateau pikas, which were abundant in the reserve as recently as three years ago, were gone. This observation was confirmed by the staff of the smal--store located near the site (although they did not have direct information concerning the reduction in pika numbers). As indicated elsewhere in this document, plateau pikas are a keystone species for biodiversity, thus should be considered as an essentia--element in the reserve. In addition, plateau pikas have an intrinsic interest for eco-tourists and should be promoted as an interesting and dynamic species to observe in nature.

　　--Research should be conducted on the viability of Bar-headed Goose eggs

　　BWG noted that at the primary nesting site of the Bar-headed Goose, there were an abundance of apparently infertile eggs. Given the putative poisoning with Botulism strains in adjoining agricultura--areas, and maybe in the reserve itself, there is the potentia--for the grazing geese to have accumulated poisons leading to increased infertility.

　　--Environmenta--education should be developed for visiting tourists to enhance their experience and contribute to an overal--awareness of natura--history and conservation issues

　　BWG observed that available information was very limited, old, and often illegible. BWG noted that some tourists were attempting to read the signs, but were frustrated. Bird Island is a very specia--place, so the lack of environmenta--education is a lost opportunity.

　　Chanhanhe Nature Reserve (Baoku Forestry Area and Reserve):

　　This area represents a remnant of mixed montane forest once common in the province, but which has now almost disappeared. Thus, it is a very specia--sit

　　--No further areas should be cleared to provide services for tourists

　　BWG observed that the reserve has suffered the loss of forest cover when a large area was cleared for a parking lot and to create space for concessionaires.

　　--Areas in the reserve which have been cleared or degraded should be reforested using native species.

　　--Alien species, such as sheep and goats, should be removed from the reserve

　　BWG observed that while a number of deciduous species remain in the park, natura--regeneration is inhibited by the presence of sheep and goats. These alien species destroy seedlings. The coniferous species which normally occur together with deciduous elements had been eliminated in places we observed. These species should be reintroduced utilizing conifers native to the region.

　　--Trash and other discarded human products should be cleaned up, and management should provide appropriate avenues for trash disposal

　　BWG observed a significant amount of unsightly and unhygienic trash throughout the reserve, which undoubtedly discourages visitors from enjoying a positive experience.

　　--Environmenta--education should be developed for visiting tourists to enhance their experience and contribute to an overal--awareness of natura--history and conservation issues

　　BWG observed that there was no available information provided to visitors, and this lack of environmenta--education is a lost opportunity.

　　Three Great Rivers (San Jiang Yuan) Nature Reserve:

　　This newly designated nature reserve covers most of the southwest corner of Qingha--province and encompasses an area of 236,000 km2. This large area is primarily high alpine grassland which is the current home of pastoralist townships. It is also the headwaters of three of the world's greatest rivers, each of which is an important economic, cultura--and biologica--resource for China.

　　--Existing pastoralist populations should be allowed to remain in the reserve and encouraged and facilitated in the protection of the reserve's natura--resources

　　--Connect the proposed reserve to the Chang Tang Reserve in Tibet, and coordinate management

　　BWG believes that, based upon their observations, provincia--officials have a difficult time managing even smal--nature reserves. Thus, it is difficult to imagine the assumption of responsibilities of a reserve of this size. The concept of moving people out of core areas, used in some areas in China, is not advisable in this region. New roads are proposed in the area, and if loca--people are removed and enforcement activities remain as scarce as in other nature reserves in China, then the opportunities for poaching rare and endangered wildlife wil--only be greatly enhanced. In contrast, the BWG has experience working with a loca--NGO in the region (see Appendix II), and this experience has demonstrated that loca--pastoralists can indeed be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

　　Annex II:

　　Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of Biologica--Resources on the

　　Alpine Grasslands of China

　　2000 - 2001 PROJECT SUMMARY

　　The BWG Alpine Grasslands Project was initiated with severa--objectives:

　　--To serve as a demonstration project for the maintenance and restoration of biodiversity and sustainable use of the alpine grasslands of Qingha--province

　　--To provide direct support – through research, consultation and funding – of projects designed to improve the status of biodiversity and sustainable use of these alpine grasslands

　　--To use the forum of the CCICED/BWG to ensure coordination and integration of approaches to projects in the region

　　--To use the forum of the CCICED/BWG to communicate successfu--approaches for preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable use of natura--resources in the region

　　In the past year, the BWG Alpine Grasslands Project has produced the following results:

　　1. Research was conducted to test the effect of poisoning of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on the biodiversity of native birds on the alpine grasslands. The results indicated that poisoning of pikas reduced species diversity and overal--abundance of birds, thereby providing solid evidence that the plateau pika serves as a keystone species for biodiversity on the alpine grasslands (Funding from Kadoorie Charitable Foundation). BWG worked closely with KCF and through the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden's South China Biodiversity Team to ensure sustainable practices in the activities of OxFam in their work on the grasslands of southern Qinghai.

　　2. Upper Yangtze Project. The BWG continued to work closely with Plateau Perspectives (PP) and the Upper Yangtze Organization (UYO) to develop the activities of the collaborative Upper Yangtze Project (UYP). A memorandum of understanding was signed between the BWG, PP and UYO to ensure common interests and goals for the project. Funding for the activities listed below originated from a variety of sources, many through the actions of PP. The BWG has served as a liaison for acquisition of funds in severa--instances (i.e., a grant to the UYO from Globa--Greengrants – A Tides Foundation, and more recently Flora and Fauna Internationa--– FFI; see below). Direct funding of projects from the BWG and some additiona--sources is indicated below. A summary of the background for and primary objectives of the UYP appear in the BWG Year 2000 Report

　　a) Ongoing development of solutions to arrest serious environmenta--issues in the source area of the Yangtze River in southwest Qingha--province

　　b) Ongoing activities of the Suojia Township Environmenta--Protection Bureau, its four branches (four villages in the region), and its 16 wildlife monitors. Native wildlife observations have now been gathered for over one year and are continuing. These data wil--form the basis of a larger program to involve loca--people in wildlife conservation efforts, and when compiled wil--demonstrate how loca--people can contribute significantly to nationa--environmenta--policy. Each branch office has been supplied equipment and supplies to assist in this work. BWG has provided stationary and notebooks, GPS units, tape measures, and a library of field guides to assist with identification of flora and fauna; PP has provided work tents, binoculars, a 4WD vehicle, and other materials.

　　c) Ongoing development of a 133 km2 grassland demonstration area with a Snow Mountain Nomad Family Ecologica--Demonstration Village (Ch: Xueshan mumin jiayuan shengta--shifan cun) – a project whose main purpose is to spread new concepts of sustainable development and conservation

　　d) Ongoing development and management of four loca--protected areas (one for each of the following species: black-necked crane, snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass) and one wetland habitat

　　e) Production of materials that express loca--understanding of ecology and culture in the source area of the Yangtze River (part of UYO's plans to develop their "Snow Mountain Nomad Family Compilation of Books" (Ch: Xueshan mumin jiayuan xilie congshu)

　　--Book drafted on Tibetan antelope – to be distributed free to loca--nomads – designed to highlight the dangers that face this species and the need to involve loca--pastoralists in its protection

　　--Book planned on the environment of the Tibetan plateau – designed to enhance environmenta--education efforts by providing a clear understanding of the loca--environment and sustainable development (PP has provided a camera to photographically document the target region). Author: Byemba.

　　--Book written and published on the cultura--history of the environment of the Suojia region, including ora--histories of past pastoralist practices, attitudes towards the environment, ancient hunting practices, etc. PP has provided a tape-recorder to facilitate interviews; book written with funds provided by loca--government. Author: Wenzha.

　　f) Environmenta--education – establishment of tent schools, community centers and environmenta--education centers. The first two facilities listed below plan to adopt a curriculum targeted towards nomad children, including instruction in health and environmenta--issues. The schools are also being developed as community centers to encourage and facilitate adult education, sustainable rangeland management, alternative forms of income generation, etc. This mode--has "taken off" and now severa--schools have been replicated in the region.

　　--Muqu village, Suojia Township, Zhiduo County. Established November 2000, approximately 20 students and two staff. Primary support from Barbour Trust (Scotland) via PP; also Globa--Greengrants (obtained with assistance from the BWG).

　　--Yaqu village, Suojia Township, Zhiduo County. Established September 1999, approximately 70 students. Physica--facilities (tents) provided by Children in Crisis (UK).

　　--Snow Mountain Nomad Family Young People and Children's Environmenta--Education Center (Ch: Xueshan mumin jiayuan Qingshaonian Huanjing Zhongxin) – or Zhiduo Environmenta--Education Center. Active teaching of classes in ecology at middle-schoo--leve--for two years, now incorporating additiona--printed teaching materials obtained from Friends of Nature (China) and internationa--environmenta--videos translated into Chinese made available by Environment Education Television Project for China. Library resources provided by BWG.

　　--Planning for Snow Mountain Nomad Family Environmenta--Awareness Truck (Ch: Xueshan mumin jiayuan huanjing jiaoyu liudong che). UYO does not yet have the truck, but teaching and training content is currently being developed.

　　--Continued training of UYO leaders and village schoolteachers in environmenta--and health issues being led by PP – with proposa--pending to Friends of Nature (China) for collatera--support.

　　g) Income generation. Two principa--means of income generation in the high altitude grasslands of Qingha--are currently being investigated:

　　--Ecotourism development. Investigations are underway to assess the advantages and disadvantages of developing a limited loca--ecotourism industry (c.f. stakeholder analysis, cost-benefit analysis, environmenta--impact assessment). These could lead to the formation of a Snow Mountain Nomad Family Ecotourism Company (Ch: Xueshan mumin jiayuan luxingshe)

　　--Value-added products. Investigations are underway to determine new ways to generate income through further processing of livestock products and handicraft development.

　　h) Collatera--projects: While the BWG's input to the UYP focuses on those issues related to natura--resource conservation and biodiversity, the UYP, primarily with the leads being taken by the UYO and PP, does address other critica--issues in the region: Snow disaster relief and community health issues. These issues tend to be folded into the overal--UYP agenda, as tent schools double as avenues for health awareness training in addition to environmenta--education, etc. Some of the funding sources for these issues thus provides support for some of the infrastructure needed for environmenta--programs

　　3. Coordination of biodiversity and sustainable development activities in the alpine meadows grassland region of Qinghai.

　　--A primary way in which the BWG assists bringing together those interested in issues confronting the high grasslands of Qingha--is through open participation in its annua--meeting. In July 2000 BWG invited representatives from the UYO and FF--to its meeting to ensure that their respective interests could be coordinated. Similarly the June 2001 meeting in Xining brought together government officials, agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs with a common interest in the project area.

　　--BWG played an active role in the development of FFI's initiative to work on the alpine grasslands of Qinghai: introducing the UYO and UYP to FFI, giving their support to FFI's funding proposa--to the Darwin Fund, assisting with the preparation and writing of the successfu--proposal, and participating in the first scoping workshop.

　　--Within the past year, BWG has worked closely with the Kadoorie Charitable Trust, the South China Biodiversity Team of the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, OxFam (UK), Landcare Research Ltd. (New Zealand), CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems (Australia), and the IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group on issues impacting the biodiversity and sustainable use of the alpine grasslands of Qinghai.

　　4. BWG annua--reports and targeted recommendations stemming from the 2001 meeting in Xining serve to inform of activities in the region that are working as wel--as present ideas of activities for consideration by various sectora--levels for implementation to promote biodiversity and sustainable development on Qinghai's high alpine grasslands.