Abstract: The objective of this study were to characterize the spatial distribution pattern of transfer prices of grazed grassland in West Ujimqin Banner of Inner Mongolia, and to reveal its corresponding formation mechanism. The Kriging interpolation method was used to assess the spatial differentiation pattern of transfer prices of grazed grassland in this region, and then correlation analysis and spatial measurement model were employed to reveal its formation mechanism. The results showed that the transfer prices of grazed grassland in West Ujimqin Banner gradually decreases from the northern and southeastern areas to the periphery, and presented a trend of high in the eastern area and low in the western area. Significant spatial autocorrelation characteristics and an obvious spatial agglomeration pattern of the transfer prices of grazed grassland was observed, but there was also a pattern of local dispersion due to a small amount of spatial heterogeneity. The use purpose and grass yield of the transferred grazed grassland as well as signing contract or not during the transferring process had the most significant impacts on the transfer prices, followed by the annual net animal husbandry income of herdsmen and contracted grazed grassland area of herdsmen. Our results provide a reference information for macro-controlling the overall situation of transfer prices of grazed grassland in West Ujimqin Banner and improving the grassland transfer market in different regions.

Key words: grazed grassland, transfer prices, Kriging interpolation method, spatial measurement model, West Ujimqin Banner