Abstract: Grassland is an important terrestrial ecosystem and a major resource for livestock husbandry. Increasing degradation has damaged the ecological environment of grasslands, seriously affecting their sustainability. This puts enormous pressure on the livelihoods of herders. A systematic analysis of the impacts of grassland quality on the livelihood of herders’ households is important for formulating effective policies for grassland rehabilitation, enhancing the adaptability of pastoral households to grassland degradation, and reducing the livelihood vulnerability of the poor in pastoral areas. In typical grassland areas in Inner Mongolia, field sampling data in 2017 and 2019 and herding household interview data in 2021 were used to construct an index system for evaluating the livelihood vulnerability of herding households based on the impact of grassland quality. The index was used to analyze the key factors affecting the livelihood vulnerability of herding households. Pure herding, herding combined, and non-herding households in typical grassland areas of Inner Mongolia did not differ significantly in pasture area and per-capita income. Labor force of pure herding and herding combined households was richer than that of non-herding households. The livelihood vulnerability of pure herding and non-herding households was higher than that of herding combined households. Grassland quality was a key factor affecting the livelihood vulnerability of pure herding households. Restoration of the grassland’s ecological environment could reduce the livelihood vulnerability of herders. Developing diversified livelihoods based on herding and improving the health level and credit capital of households would be conducive to reducing the livelihood vulnerability of herding households.

Key words: farmer household livelihood, grassland degradation, revitalization of pastoral area, typical grassland