Table 1 The identified features affecting grazing.

Resources and environmental factors

Climate and soil texture significantly affect vegetation growth⁵³.

Precipitation

Temperature

Radiation

Soil moisture

Soil pH

Soil available N

Soil available P

Soil available K

Herders’ grazing behavior

High-coverage grasslands close to residential areas and water sources are more convenient for herders to graze²⁰.

NDVI

Distance to river

Residential area density

Herds’ foraging behavior

Herds prefer to feed on grassland with high suitability and easy access²⁰.

Pasture suitability

Topographic relief

Ecological protection policy

Protected areas with different protection levels were formulated to combat grassland degradation¹².

Nature reserves