Grassland

**Grassland Definitions and Evolutionary History:**
– Coxilhas in the Pampas, Brazil, are hills covered by grasslands.
– Grasslands are terrestrial ecosystems dominated by herbaceous and shrub vegetation.
– Semi-natural grasslands are formed through human activities like mowing or grazing.
– Grasslands evolved around 5 million years ago in the New and Old Worlds.
– Semi-natural grasslands first appeared with human farming activities in Europe.
– Grasslands expanded after the Pleistocene ice ages in hotter, drier climates.

**Grassland Ecology and Biodiversity:**
– Unimproved grasslands rely on anthropogenic activities like grazing and cutting for maintenance.
– Semi-natural grasslands can contain up to 25 plant species per 100 square centimeters.
– Wild plant communities in grasslands are threatened by agricultural improvement.
– Grasslands support diverse fauna, including large animals like jaguars and African elephants.
– Grasslands provide essential ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration.

**Grassland Vegetation and Fauna:**
– Grassland vegetation varies based on type and human impact.
– Woody plants, shrubs, or trees may occur in some grasslands, forming savannas or scrubby grasslands.
– Grasslands are home to diverse fauna, including mites, insect larvae, and earthworms.
– Grasslands support a variety of large animals like pronghorn and African wild dogs.
– Grasses in grasslands grow in high concentrations in specific climates with annual rainfall between 500 and 900mm.

**Grassland Degradation and Causes:**
– Grasslands are highly threatened ecosystems, with global losses from degradation exceeding $7 billion annually.
– Factors contributing to grassland vulnerability include misclassification, poor protection, and cultivation.
– Land use intensification, such as conversion to agricultural fields, is a major cause of grassland degradation.
– Disturbances like hunting, plowing, and fires impact grassland ecosystems.
– Grasslands are sensitive to disturbances affecting the dominance of grassland vegetation.

**Grassland Conservation, Climate Change, and Restoration:**
– Grasslands thrive in specific climate conditions with annual precipitation between 600mm to 1,500mm.
– Conservation efforts are essential due to the threats posed by human activities like agriculture and mining.
– Restoration methods include prescribed fires, livestock management, and invasive species control.
– The UN Decade on Restoration aims to promote global grassland restoration efforts.
– Grasslands play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.