Combatting global grassland degradation

Bardgett, Richard D.; Bullock, James M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0529-4020; Lavorel, Sandra; Manning, Peter; Schaffner, Urs; Ostle, Nicholas; Chomel, Mathilde; Durigan, Giselda; Fry, Ellen L.; Johnson, David; Lavallee, Jocelyn M.; Le Provost, Gaëtane; Luo, Shan; Png, Kenny; Sankaran, Mahesh; Hou, Xiangyang; Zhou, Huakun; Ma, Li; Ren, Weibo; Li, Xiliang; Ding, Yong; Li, Yuanheng; Shi, Hongxiao. 2021 Combatting global grassland degradation. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2 (10). 720-735. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00207-2

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00207-2

Abstract/Summary

Grasslands are under severe threat from ongoing degradation, undermining their capacity to support biodiversity, ecosystem services and human well-being. Yet, grasslands are largely ignored in sustainable development agendas. In this Perspective, we examine the current state of global grasslands and explore the extent and dominant drivers of their degradation. Socio-ecological solutions are needed to combat degradation and promote restoration. Important strategies include: increasing recognition of grasslands in global policy; developing standardized indicators of degradation; using scientific innovation for effective restoration at regional and landscape scales; and enhancing knowledge transfer and data sharing on restoration experiences. Stakeholder needs can be balanced through standardized assessment and shared understanding of the potential ecosystem service trade-offs in degraded and restored grasslands. The integration of these actions into sustainability policy will aid in halting degradation and enhancing restoration success, and protect the socio-economic, cultural and ecological benefits that grasslands provide.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00207-2
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	2662-138X
Additional Keywords:	ecosystem services, sustainability
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	06 Oct 2021 11:54 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531192

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-021-00207-2

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

2662-138X

Additional Keywords:

ecosystem services, sustainability

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment