Enhancing sustainability: Exploring the evolution and dynamics of the grassland social-ecological system in Inner Mongolia over the past 260a

Understanding the intricate relationship between social-ecological systems (SES) coupling and long-term regional sustainable development is critical for effective management strategies. While recent research has predominantly focused on human-earth coupling, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning the transition of grassland SES from one regime to another and the underlying drivers. This study employs a comprehensive SES framework to identify and analyze interactions within typical pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia, aiming to shed light on the evolution of the grassland SES over the past centuries. Our research defines five distinct evolutionary phases in the grassland SES since the mid-Qing Dynasty. Each phase is characterized by unique social and ecological features, providing a nuanced understanding of the system's dynamics. We establish empirical links between the phases and their driving forces and impacts by assessing the main changes between these periods. Specifically, our findings reveal instances of negative cross-scale effects emerging during the evolution process. We observe that unreasonable resource utilization and an inability to curb ecological degradation may lead to unsustainable traps, posing challenges to long-term sustainability. To illustrate, during the transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4 in the late 19th century, a shift towards sedentary pastoralism led to increased land degradation due to intensified grazing practices. This unsustainable trajectory highlights the importance of adaptive management strategies to mitigate such negative consequences. This study contributes insights into the social and ecological management of grassland pastoral areas in China and for global analogous regions. By addressing the identified phases and their associated challenges, our research provides a foundation for crafting sustainable policies and practices to ensure the resilience of grassland SES in diverse geographical contexts.