Comparison of the grassland-ecological conceptions of herdsmen among three banners in Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The three ecological barriers situated in Alxa region,i.e.Helan Moutain original secondary forest in east,Ejina oasis Populus euphratica Oliv.forest in Heihe drainage area in west,and Haloxylon ammodendron(Mey.) Bunge forest in north,were ever important ecology defense-line of the Northwest China,but their ecological function has degenerated due to all kinds of human and natural factors,and now Alxa is one of the sandstorm centers in China.The existing studies of the grassland degradation were mainly started with the natural mechanism and engineering benefit,but little with the microcosmic view of herdsmen' ecological conception.In order to provide information to policy makers and researchers,the grassland-ecological conceptions of herdsmen were studied in three banners in Alax League,a pastoral area,in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.The results show that the interviewee younger than 40 paid more attention to economic income,older than 51 thought much of ecological protection,and age of 41 to 50 in the middle way between the above two groups.Educational level had minor influence on the ecological conceptions of the herdsmen.The herdsmen had different understandings on the policies made by the national government or local government and their particular views on the grassland issues in Alxa.Livelihood aspiration of partial herdsmen could be beneficial to the alleviation of the grassland pressure in future.