Abstract: A nomadic system has been changed to a settled grazing system due to the increase in human and livestock population and various social changes in Hulunbeir grassland, northern Inner Mongolia during the last decades. As a result, vegetation around settled villages was heavily destroyed by intensive stocking practices, and many native plants near the villages were replaced by invading ones with high grazing tolerance. Vegetation degradation and environmental stress caused declines in species richness and abundance of birds and changes in species composition of bird communities in grazing and mowing grasslands, and the natural bird community could only be found in the unused part of the grassland where became an ideal wildlife in dissociation from the impacts of rapid increase in human and livestock populations in the region. Unfortunately, the precious wildlife habitat has been gradually disappearing with the advancement of grassland privatization and the expansion of human activities. It was proposed that establishing grassland reserves in this area would be the most effective way to protect grassland ecosystems, and to realize the harmonious coexistence of human and wildlife. The promotion of ecotourism may also be appropriate in this area.

Key words: Grassland, Livestock grazing, Ecological cost, Conservation strategy

摘要： 在过去几十年中,由于人口和牲畜数量的增加以及各种社会变化的影响,内蒙古北部草原传统的游牧方式逐步被定居放牧所取代。这种放牧体系的根本性变化的结果是,定居放牧村落周围的过度放牧现象日趋严重,植被严重毁坏;同时,由于放牧抗性较强的植物的侵入,许多原生植物已经被这些外来种所取代。这种植被退化和环境干扰造成了放牧草原和采草草原鸟类多样性和种群数量的减少以及群落结构的改变;自然鸟类群落只存在于未被利用的天然草原中,在该地区人口与牲畜数量快速增加的社会背景下,这类草原提供了良好的野生动物栖息地。然而,这些重要的野生动物栖息地正随着草原私有化和人类活动区的不断扩大而逐渐消失。论文论述了该地区建立草原自然保护区以及促进生态旅游建设,有效保护草原生态系统,实现人类与野生动物的和谐共存的必要性和实施办法。

关键词: 草原, 放牧, 生态代价, 保护战略