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Coordinated development of ecological, economic, and social benefits of the returning grazing land to grassland policy: The case of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

Document Type

Research-Article

Author

Xiaodong Pei, Gui Shi, Lihua Zhou, Junhao Li, Cong Zhang, Fangyi Wang

Journal Name

Journal of Environmental Management

Keywords

Benefits evaluation, Coupling coordination degree, Returning grazing land to grassland policy, Sanjiangyuan region, Sustainable development

Abstract

The Returning Grazing Land to Grassland Policy (RGLGP) is the core initiative for grassland ecological governance in China's pastoral regions. Scientifically evaluating its implementation outcomes is essential for promoting grassland restoration and policy optimization. Taking Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture as a case study, this paper constructs a comprehensive benefit evaluation index system encompassing ecological, economic, and social dimensions. By employing an improved game theory-based combined weighting method, a coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, grey relational analysis, and the GM(1,1) grey prediction model, the study systematically evaluates the policy outcomes from 2000 to 2021, reveals the synergies and influencing factors among the three benefit types, and projects future trends. Results showed that: (1) Ecological benefits increased by 43.09 %, with a significant reduction in grassland degradation and continuous recovery in vegetation coverage and aboveground biomass, especially in national park areas. (2) Economic benefits grew by 193.32 %, driven by steady income growth from subsidy policies and initial progress in industrial restructuring, while notable disparities exist across counties, with Nangqian demonstrating a “latecomer advantage.” (3) Social benefits increased by 37.00 %, as ecological migration and social protection policies effectively mitigated livelihood shocks, improved employment opportunities, and enhanced public service provision. (4) Comprehensive benefits rose by 66.12 %, with CCD increasing from 0.563 to 0.753, indicating the emergence of an “ecology–economy–society” coordinated development pattern; however, signs of diminishing marginal returns have also emerged. Key factors influencing CCD include ecological indicators such as NDVI, NPP, and aboveground grassland biomass, as well as social indicators like proportion of non-agricultural population and school-age children enrollment rate. Despite regional heterogeneity in development, the policy has demonstrated significant achievements, with considerable potential for future improvement. Based on the findings, this study proposes targeted policy recommendations in four areas: ecological restoration, industrial transformation, social service enhancement, and coordinated governance. The research offers empirical evidence and methodological insights for ecological governance and sustainable development in ecologically fragile ethnic regions. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127414

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