Conceptual Framework for Key Element Identification in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS): Case of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces System in China

A conceptual framework for identifying key elements (KE) in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) was successfully applied to the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces System (HHRTS), revealing six critical components: grain crops, rice species biodiversity, terrace construction and maintenance techniques, Hani traditional festivals, Hani traditional foods, and virgin forest. The study found that stakeholder groups—farmers, businessmen, tourists, officers, and researchers—prioritized these elements at different levels (micro, middle, macro), reflecting their distinct motivations and potential action strategies. This approach provides a theoretical basis for IAHS research and offers insights into balancing diverse stakeholder demands to enhance conservation management. The framework effectively addresses challenges like component element ambiguity and the obscurity of conservation boundaries in dynamic heritage systems.

Heyao, L., Siyuan, H., Lubin, D., Nan, M., & Qingwen, M. (2021). Conceptual Framework for Key Element Identification in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS): Case of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces System in China. Journal of Resources and Ecology, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2021.04.010