Grasslands, which include biomes such as prairies, savannas, and steppes, represent one of the world’s most widespread terrestrial ecosystems. These environments support immense biodiversity and provide fundamental services for human populations. Despite their global significance, grasslands have historically been overlooked in conservation efforts, leading to extensive loss and insufficient safeguards.
The Current Global Protection Status
The percentage of the world’s grasslands currently under formal protection is notably low. Less than 10% of the world’s grasslands are designated as protected areas globally. This figure is particularly stark for natural temperate grasslands, where the protected area coverage drops to only about 4.6%.
This limited coverage contrasts sharply with the protection status of biomes like forests and wetlands, which typically have protection percentages of around 18% and 16%, respectively. The rate of conversion and degradation far outpaces conservation efforts; estimates suggest that for every ten hectares of grassland lost, only one hectare is protected. This underrepresentation has led to calls for greater inclusion of grasslands in global conservation targets, such as the commitment to protect 30% of the Earth’s land by 2030.
Classification of Grasslands and Protection Measures
The term “grassland” encompasses a variety of environments defined by their dominant vegetation of grasses and non-woody plants. These types include the North American prairies, the South American pampas, the Eurasian steppes, and the African savannas. These biomes are generally found in regions that lack the consistent rainfall needed to support extensive forests.
A protected area is formally defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a clearly delineated geographical space managed for the long-term conservation of nature. Protection is assigned based on management objectives, classified across six categories ranging from strict nature reserves (Category Ia) to areas with sustainable resource use (Category VI). Simply designating a space does not guarantee effective conservation, as legal protection must be paired with active management and necessary resources. Many areas possess legal status without the enforcement needed to prevent degradation, affecting the true conservation benefit of the global protection percentage.
Ecological Value and Biodiversity Role
The low level of protection is a significant concern because grasslands perform essential ecological functions. They are hotspots of biodiversity, supporting a unique array of flora and fauna, including many endemic species and migratory populations. A higher diversity of plant species in these ecosystems enhances their ability to perform services like carbon storage.
Grasslands store a substantial portion of the world’s terrestrial carbon, accounting for over 30% of global carbon stocks. Unlike forests, the vast majority—around 90%—of this carbon is sequestered underground in deep root systems and the soil itself. This subterranean storage makes grasslands highly stable, long-term carbon sinks that are less vulnerable to events like surface fire compared to above-ground biomass in forests. Grasslands also regulate water flow and supply, and their extensive root networks are instrumental in stabilizing soil and controlling erosion.
Primary Drivers of Grassland Loss
The primary force behind the global loss of grassland ecosystems is the conversion of land for intensive human use. Agricultural conversion is the single largest driver of both habitat loss and biodiversity decline. Vast tracts of grassland are plowed under for monoculture crops, such as wheat, corn, and soy, or are converted into intensive grazing lands for livestock.
This land-use change results in habitat fragmentation, which breaks up large, continuous ecosystems into smaller, isolated patches. Fragmentation disrupts ecological processes and limits the movement of wildlife, leading to population declines. Climate change acts as a compounding factor, often interacting with human activities to accelerate degradation through increased drought, desertification, or shifts in biome boundaries.