## 2 Origin of the Grasslands
### Understanding QTP Grassland Vegetation  
From 1973 when the first comprehensive full-scale series of scientific expeditions for the QTP were initiated, much has been learned about the alpine grasslands of the QTP. Most data pertained to vegetation distribution using methods proposed by [PERSON] & Mueller-Dombois [14; 15]. After 1992 several permanent monitoring stations were established at key sites to monitor eco-environmental changes on the QTP. A relatively complete monitoring and early warning system was set up that integrates air and land networks. A network developed for monitoring and studying earth surface processes and environment in extremely cold areas of high altitude. Observation networks exist that relate to environmental protection, land, agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, meteorology and some other fields. Under the Chinese ecosystem research network, observation stations (Figure 5) for eight different ecosystems, have been established on the QTP. Based on the earlier surveys and subsequent studies the following division of alpine grasslands has been suggested, as set out in 2.1 below. Meteorological stations and vegetation and land surface monitoring assists in devising revised policies for management of the vast areas of alpine pastures in the Study area (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau). Figure 3b shows the distribution of the three major alpine grassland types and there is a brief description of each, including listing of key plant species, in 3.1 below.  
Our study area encompasses the vast tract of land (bigger than Spain) in southern and eastern QTP (Figure 5) although there were temporary field sites in the border areas near Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. We did most of our botanical work on grasslands over a period of more than 12 years within a short radius of the monitoring stations (Figure 5) but our rural sociology work extended to herder communities further west into Tibet.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Functional Groups**} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Alpine Steppes**} & \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Alpine Desert Steppe**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Alpine Meadow**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Temperature**} \\  & & & & & & & & **Stepe** \\ \cline{2-2} \cline{5-8}  & **Plains** & **Slopes** & **Mountains** & **Slopes** & **Mountains** & **Slopes** & **Mountains** & **Plains** \\ \hline Sedges/grasses & 15.2/Tr. & 28.5/Tr. & 22.8/Tr. & 48.5/Tr. & Tr./69.8 & Tr. & 40.70 & Tr./3.87 \\ Forbes (edible/inedible) & 17.5 & 10.6 & 35.2 & 6.2 & 9.3 & 29.4 & 17.2 & 18.7/7.00 * \\ Legumes & Tr. & Tr. & Tr. & Tr. & 4.05 & 2.45 & Tr. & Tr. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note. \(\#\) data from sites scattered across Tibet (alpine steppe and alpine desert steppe) and Qinghai (alpine meadow and temperate meadow steppe). * Some forbs are toxic and/or unpalatable to livestock. In Temperate Meadow steppe 7.00 % is inedible. Tr. refers to trace amounts (<1%) Tr./3.87 refers to Tr. of sedge and 3.87 of grass. Data source: [PERSON], unpublished. This is a generalization based on numerous field surveys by [PERSON] and her students over the past 10 years.  
\end{table}
Table 1: Typical botanical composition in high elevation alpine grasslands # (percentage basis).