Spatial layout for coordinated regional development and its coupling effect is an important proposition that cannot be bypassed in the modernization of territorial spatial governance, regional ecological protection and high-quality development. Based on the data of 146 pastoral interviews and 21 management surveys, and combined with satellite remote sensing data and literature, this study compares the historical origins and development of grassland animal husbandry in the Qilian Mountains, forage farming in the Hexi Corridor (or Gansu Corridor), and herding households' livelihood strategies from the perspective of "production-living-ecology" space. Under the guidance of the ecosystem service flow theory, the spatial linkage of the Qilian Mountains-Hexi Corridor coupled agro-pastoral system is deeply portrayed, and the conceptual framework and development model of its "conjugate" ecological pasture is interpreted. The research shows that:(1) Since the implementation of the grassland ecological award and compensation policy in 2011, the vegetation coverage in Qilian Mountains has increased significantly (P<0.05). The livelihood diversity index of traditional pastoralists and eco-migrant pastoralists is 2.22 and 2.69 respectively, and their livelihood capacity is vulnerable. The basic livelihood strategy for herding households to implement dynamic balance of grass and livestock is to purchasing forage, forage breeding, artificial grass planting, borrowing grazing from other places (straw supplemental feeding) and transferring grassland, through this grass storage balance model to achieve the Qilian Mountains grassland animal husbandry from over-grazing to "overload but not grazing" leapfrog development. (2) The mountain system of the Qilian Mountains overflows ecosystem services (fresh water supply) to the oasis system of the Hexi Corridor to support the development of its forage planting. Meanwhile, the forage cropping of the Hexi Corridor provides high-quality forage for the grassland animal husbandry of the Qilian Mountains, which forms the "conjugate space" between the mountain and oasis. The "virtual grassland" grass storage balance model with external material and energy input pathways organically links the animal husbandry system of the Qilian Mountains with the agricultural system of the Hexi Corridor, bringing into play the ecological functions of the Qilian Mountains grasslands and enhancing the ability of pastoral households in the Qilian Mountains to maintain sustainable livelihoods. High-quality development of ecological animal husbandry in the Qilian Mountains is maintained by reconstructing the multifunctional "production-living-ecology" trade-off mechanism. (3) The mountain-oasis "conjugate" ecological pasture includes three sub-systems:grassland animal husbandry, forage planting and "virtual grassland", building a multi-dimensional coupling, virtual-real integration and co-existence between sub-systems, realising the Qilian Mountains-Hexi Corridor "conjugate space" agro-pastoral coupling system of resource sharing, complementary advantages and benefit linkage, is an iterative innovative ecological pasture development model explored according to the laws of nature and economy.