Paper short abstract:

Based on the case study of Maduo in the source area of Yellow River, the paper studies the ecological environment and livelihood of the Tibetan. It is found out that the traditional Tibetan livelihood could not only make the efficient use of the ecosystem, but also carefully protect the environment.

Paper long abstract:

In recent years, the ecological fragile link of the source area of the Yellow River has been impacted by the unreasonable resource utilization, and consequently a series of ecological catastrophe have been caused. Based on the case study of the first county in the source area of the Yellow River, Maduo county in Qinghai province, the paper studies the ecological environment and the traditional livelihood of the Tibetan from the view of ecology and anthropology. In July 2009 and August 2010, the research team of the institute of anthropology and ethnology from Jishou University went to Maduo. It is found out that the traditional Tibetan livelihood could effectively avoid the fragile link of the local ecosystem, and the Tibetan people could not only make the efficient use of the local ecosystem, but also carefully protect the environment. The permafrost underground is the key restrictive factor of plant growth in this area. The permafrost, humus horizon and peat horizon constitute the fragile link of the ecosystem. With long-term production experience, the Tibetan residents could realize the special function of the humus horizon and peat horizon. Once the fragile link was disturbed, the yield of grass would decline, land desertification would grow and even the whole ecosystem would degenerate completely. So, in the process of production, they seldom turn over the soil. For the ecological security of the source area of the Yellow River, the traditional livelihood of the Tibetan should particularly be protected and utilized.

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