Grasslands are areas dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants. They cover about 25% of the world’s vegetation and provide many important benefits. Here we will explore three major benefits that grasslands provide: biodiversity, climate regulation, and food production.
Biodiversity
Grasslands support a wide variety of plant and animal life, contributing greatly to global biodiversity. Grasslands are able to support such high levels of biodiversity because resources like sunlight, water and nutrients are efficiently captured and utilized by the grasses. Vast grasslands were once found on every continent besides Antarctica. Though many natural grasslands have been lost due to human activities, those that remain continue to harbor diverse species.
Grasslands are characterized by grasses as the dominant vegetation. But many other types of plants thrive here as well, including sedges, rushes, legumes, and several species of wildflowers. The vegetation forms distinct microhabitats that support unique animal and insect species. Grassland animal species include bison, antelopes, prairie dogs, bees, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders, and many birds like meadowlarks, sparrows and quails. Grasslands serve as breeding grounds for many birds and support migratory bird species.
The diversity of grassland types around the world adds to their levels of biodiversity. Tropical grasslands like savannas support vegetation adapted to seasonal droughts and large migratory mammal populations. Temperate grasslands are characterized by grasses, forbs, small mammals and insects. Desert grasslands have the challenge of supporting life with very limited rainfall. Montane grasslands at high elevations provide habitat for specialized plants and animals. Coastal grasslands form where the land meets the sea. The variety of grassland ecosystems around the world support diverse assemblages of species and make vital contributions to global biodiversity.
Climate Regulation
Healthy grasslands play an important role in regulating global climate patterns in several ways. They help maintain balanced levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and prevent erosion and desertification. Grasslands may also influence regional rainfall and temperatures.
Grasslands are able to absorb and store significant amounts of carbon in their vegetation and soil. Grasses and other plants take in carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and release oxygen. Some of this carbon is transferred to the soil as roots decompose. Grasslands around the world store nearly 30% of the global stock of carbon in their soils. Converting natural grasslands to farmlands or urban areas releases large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Preserving grasslands helps regulate global carbon cycles and provides a vital carbon sink.
Grassland soils are anchored firmly in place by the mesh of grass roots, preventing wind and water erosion. When grasslands are lost, erosion increases and soils are lost. This can start a devastating cycle of desertification as soils dry out. Maintaining grassland vegetation keeps soils intact, preserving the land’s fertility and productivity. This also prevents the creation of dust storms that contribute to climate change.
Some research indicates grasslands may influence local rainfall patterns based on differences in how forested and grassy areas effect conditions like temperature, evaporation rates and cloud formation. Grasslands may also maintain cooler local temperatures than forests in some regions. More research is needed, but preserving grasslands may help maintain favorable rainfall patterns and temperatures in grassland regions.
Food Production
Vast grasslands across the world are used to raise livestock for meat, dairy, and other products. Grassland soils and vegetation provide ideal conditions for grazing animals. Converting some natural grasslands to pastures for animal grazing has allowed societies to obtain food from these lands. However, it is crucial that native grasslands also be preserved for their immense biodiversity and climate benefits as well as the sustainability of grass-fed livestock.
Livestock like cattle, sheep, and goats thrive eating the various grasses and plants that naturally grow on grasslands. The vegetation provides high quality, natural forage for these animals throughout the growing season. Livestock can then convert this plant nutrition into meat, milk, wool and other products for human consumption and use. About 70% of agricultural land worldwide is used for livestock grazing.
Meat and dairy products from grass-fed livestock are gaining recognition for their health and nutritional benefits over feedlot-raised animals. Grass-fed meat is typically lower in fat and higher in nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin E, and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Dairy from pasture-raised animals is higher in omega-3s and CLA, another cancer-fighting fatty acid. The more natural diet and lifestyle of grass-fed livestock results in nutritionally superior food products.
However, care must be taken not to excessively convert natural grasslands to farmland. This would result in a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. A balance must be found between conserving enough native grasslands for their inherent environmental benefits while sustainably using some grasslands for livestock production.
Conclusion
Grasslands provide several critical benefits that highlight the importance of conserving these globally threatened ecosystems. As a dominant vegetation type in many regions, grasslands significantly contribute to global biodiversity by providing specialized habitats for a wide range of species. Grasslands also help regulate the global climate by storing carbon in their soils and vegetation and preventing erosion and desertification. Vast grasslands around the world are used for grazing livestock to produce food for human consumption as well. Overall grasslands are a valuable global resource that require thoughtful conservation and management practices to preserve their immense environmental and economic benefits.
