## 6 Conclusions  
Public perception of environmental change was an important entry point for the study of the man-land relationship in recent years. The research results on herdsmen's perception of environmental change in ecologically fragile areas (Gannan Plateau, Yellow River source areas, agro-pastoral ecotone and inland river basin) were quite abundant. As an important driving force to influence environmental change, the analysis of the LGMs' perception was helpful to understand regional environmental change more comprehensively and objectively, and to reveal the key factors of ecological restoration. The corresponding control measures were also put forward. Thus, the study of the LGMs' perspective on environmental change had strong analytical value and guiding significance. The GPP was one of the most important ecological protection policies in the agro-pastoral zone of northern China. In the course of more than 10 years' implementation, the desertification of land showed a clear reversal trend. Based on the perspective of LGMs, this study analyzed the characteristics and related factors of grassland ecology in different stages of the GPP, which provided the basis for the development of the GPP and the corresponding regulatory measures. The conclusions were as follows:  
Local government managers had a strong perception of grassland ecological change. The comprehensive perception index and its perceived intensity were higher than 3.8 and 76% respectively. The results of the LGMs perception were basically consistent with the objective facts. The grassland ecology, coverage, quality, yield, and species richness in Yanchi County performed with obvious regularity, there was an improvement in the early GPP period, an obvious improvement in the intermediate stage and a significant improvement with some degradation in the current stage. The reasons for the above regulation were related to the fixed number of years of prohibition. The longer the grazing prohibition time was, the more disadvantageous the grassland restoration had.  
The GPP in Yanchi County basically achieved the expected effect of grassland vegetation cover and ecological restoration. Therefore, the GPP should continue to be implemented on the basis of appropriate adjustments by the local government. The adjustment ideas were as follows: (1) To determine the livestock carrying capacity according to the grass and adjust the seasonal grazing. (2) To improve the standard of compensation for grass and livestock balance. (3) To bolster the diversification of herdsmen's livelihoods and non-agriculturalization.  
The model of grassland governance in Yanchi County must go beyond the era of restricting human activities solely on the mandatory policy from the social-ecological system integrity perspective. Based on the non-equilibrium theory and polycentric governance, the multi-center grassland governance and control system should be built and should include government intervention, market regulation, enterprises, experts and scholars, various organizations and the participation of herdsmen.  
**Author Contributions:** [PERSON] and [PERSON] conceived the general idea of this paper and conducted the interviews. The first and final drafts were written by [PERSON] in collaboration with [PERSON]. The materials and analysis tools were prepared by [PERSON] including to the figures and tables. [PERSON] designed the research methodology and supervision. All authors analysed and discussed the results.  
**Funding:** This paper was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China [No.2018 YFA0606402, No.2016 YFC0500909], the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 41471436], [No. 41807519], [No.41601587], and the Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification Open Fund of Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Science [KLDD-2018-002].  
**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.