A preliminary discussion on grassland ecological economic regions in China

Based on 6 major criteria of classification, that is, similarities existing in 1) ecological conditions, moisture and temperature in particular, 2) grassland types and landscapes, 3) grassland production and its structure, 4) consistence between grassland systems and econoimc systems, 5) consistence between grassland development policy and critical technology available and 6) practicability of organisation and administration for regional grassland development programming, the following division of 7 grassland ecological economic regions in China is suggested:1) Inner Mongolia Ningxia Arid Grassland Region, 2) Northwest Desert Shrubland Region, 3) Qinghai Tibet Highland Region, 4) Northeast Forest Grassland Region, 5) Loess Plateau and Huang huai hai Shrubland Region, 6) Southwest Karst Shrubland Region and 7) Southeast Forest Shrubland Region. For each of the above regions specific development policy and approaches are also discussed.