Data from: Stable isotopes in the different trophic levels reveal regional divergence in dietary habits among Tibetan pastoralists

Understanding geographical variation and driving mechanisms of the dietary
habits of Tibetan pastoralists is a key to improving their health status
under climate change and globalization. Characterization of diet via
isotopic signatures along the length of the local food chain could provide
this information. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N of soil, plants, animals and
pastoralists at different geographical sites ranging in a
gradient of easily accessible to remote areas. The high δ15N
values in soil and plants were not recovered in animals and pastoralists,
indicating use of external feed and food
resources respectively. The mean δ13C (-22.0‰) and δ15N
values (6.9‰) of pastoralists indicated diets consisting mainly of native
C3 plants and animal products. Pastoralists living in the
remotest areas maintained more traditional dietary habits based on native
animal products. However, dietary changes of pastoralists were
triggered by external food resources and
alterations in ecological chain of easily accessible
areas.