The Effect Of Institutional Factors On Grassland Degradation In Gannan Pasture-

Taking Maqu County as the case, using sample experiment and individual case interview, the effects of institutional factors on grassland degradation were investigated from two aspects in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The main results are as follows:1. Traditional nomadic culture was set up on the idea of harmony between human and nature, having the rationality of existent. Current institution of grassland farming should use it for reference, thereby, reducing the negative effects of grazing activities on grassland ecosystem.2. Grassland characters were positively correlated with partnership scale. The vegetation biomass, coverage and species richness increased with partnership scale. Compared with individual family production, the grassland characters of small scale partnership changed non-significant, while that of greater scale partnership changed significantly.3. Partnership manage was useful supplement for current institution of fixing grassland output quotas for each household. As the increasing of partnership scale, the grazing pattern was close to traditional nomadic, grassland rotation was more sufficient, and grassland degradation mitigated obviously. The suitable partnership scale should be more than10family.4. To carry out Herdsmen production cooperatives on the basis of current contracting system of grassland and livestock are in favor of production management and culture inheritance, and is efficient way of sustainable development for grassland animal husbandry.