On the windswept expanses of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a team of young researchers is racing against time to heal degraded grasslands. Their mission: identify and propagate resilient native plants to restore biodiversity in Tibet Autonomous Region’s fragile ecosystems. Armed with drones and AI-powered mapping tools, these scientists brave sub-zero temperatures and altitude sickness to collect seeds and test soil conditions.
Since 2020, over 20 native grass species have been successfully reintroduced across 150 square kilometers of revived pastureland. “Each plant we cultivate is a step toward balancing human activity with nature,” explains Liu Yang, a 28-year-old botanist leading field operations. The project aligns with China’s broader sustainability goals, aiming to protect watersheds for over 2 million residents while maintaining traditional herding livelihoods.
Reference(s):
Glimpse of Vitalities in Tibet 1: Guardians of the plateau grassland
cgtn.com
