By Yufang Gao and Yue Yu.
In grasslands around the world, balancing the needs of herders, livestock, and predators is a complex challenge. Our study explores how local pastoral practices on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China, contribute to coexistence by promoting equity in sharing the risks of livestock depredation.
Our study focused on a valley of 65 km² and home to 14 households, over 1,500 livestock, and predators such as snow leopards and wolves. We used participatory mapping to identify the seasonal grazing areas and interviewed herders to learn about their herding practices. Between 2019 and 2021, we recorded 165 incidents of livestock loss to predators across the two herding groups in the valley. Using these records, we modeled the depredation risks for each group’s seasonal pastures.
We found clear seasonal patterns in livestock depredation, with incidents occurring more frequently during the cold season. However, the level of risk varied based on which herder group was grazing in specific areas. For example, in the warm season, herder group A near the valley entrance experienced higher risks. In contrast, during the cold season, herder group B, grazing in more accessible pastures, faced greater depredation risks.
Our findings show how local pastoral practices, such as moving livestock seasonally and using local decision-making to fairly allocate grazing areas, help herders share the risks of livestock loss more equally. This approach ensures that no single group bears an undue burden, fostering what is call “distributive justice.”
By combining quantitative analysis with qualitative insights, this interdisciplinary research provides valuable lessons for conservationists and policymakers. It highlights the importance of supporting traditional local practices and allowing communities the flexibility to adapt, making conservation efforts more ethical and sustainable.
Relational Thinking 