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Combatting global grassland degradation

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  • James M. Bullock
  • Sandra Lavorel
  • Peter Manning
  • Urs Schaffner
  • Mathilde Chomel
  • Giselda Durigan
  • Ellen L. Fry
  • David Johnson
  • Jocelyn M. Lavallee
  • Gaëtane Le Provost
  • Kenny Png
  • Mahesh Sankaran
  • Xiangyang Hou
  • Huakun Zhou
  • Li Ma
  • Weibo Ren
  • Xiliang Li
  • Yong Ding
  • Yuanheng Li
  • Hongxiao Shi
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark>31/10/2021
<mark>Journal</mark>Nature Reviews Earth & Environment
Issue number10
Volume2
Number of pages16
Pages (from-to)720-735
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date7/09/21
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

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.