Tibetan Sacred Sites: Understanding the Traditional Management System and Its Role in Modern Conservation

摘要: Sacred sites are based on indigenous culture and traditional practices that value land lives, considered to be of significant contribution in biodiversity conservation. However, there is a lack understanding about how these systems function (i.e., the distribution size sacred sites, their management current status), especially for those within Tibetan region. From 2004 2007, we investigated 213 mountains, major form site, western China, documented system. We mapped 154 mountains GIS estimated average was 25.9 km2 (range 0.6-208.4 km2), with greater religious significance covering areas. Monasteries had an essential role protecting mountains; 73.1% assigning specific personnel manage 63.9% patrolling mountains. Official nature reserves remarkable spatial overlap but few established collaboration local communities or monasteries resource management. conclude could have important conservation, not only because they cover considerable area, also strong participation conservation believe landscape-level attribute. To promote need recognized incorporated formal network, should empowered participate managing sites.