Old Grasslands Do Not Fully Regenerate After Destruction
Context
A global study covering 742 species across savannas and prairies found that secondary grasslands can remain compositionally and functionally different from old growth grasslands even after a century of recovery.
Key Highlights
- Ancient grasslands are distinct ecosystems rather than degraded forests. They have evolved under conditions such as fire and grazing and support specialised plant species, wildlife and pastoral livelihoods.
- Old-growth grasslands store a significant share of terrestrial carbon, with a substantial proportion held below the ground. Unsuitable tree-planting initiatives can therefore affect both biodiversity and local water balances.
- Following activities such as mining, cultivation or afforestation, secondary grasslands may become dominated by non-native annual species and lose slow-growing species that are adapted to conserve limited resources.
- Ecological restoration can improve vegetation cover and ecosystem services, but it cannot necessarily recreate the evolutionary history and ecological characteristics of ancient grasslands. Protecting existing grasslands is therefore important.
Key Concepts
Old Growth Grassland; Savanna; Ecological Baseline; Secondary Ecosystem; Restoration Ecology; Below Ground Carbon
Way Forward
- Remove the inappropriate classification of natural grasslands as “wastelands”.
- Map natural grasslands and provide them with appropriate legal recognition.
- Develop a dedicated National Grassland Restoration Programme and a sustainable grazing policy.
- Give priority to protecting existing grasslands and conserving native seed banks.
- Ensure participation of pastoral communities in grassland conservation and management.