Rangelands are facing a ‘silent demise’, suffering losses as high as 50%.

Environment

A new report by the United Nations paints a concerning picture of the world’s rangelands, with up to 50 per cent estimated to be degraded. This figure is nearly double the previous estimates that ranged from 20-35 per cent, the land outlook report on rangelands and pastoralists highlighted. Past estimates of degraded rangeland worldwide significantly understated the actual loss of rangeland health and productivity, which could be as much as 50 per cent, agreed over 60 expert contributors from over 40 countries of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in the report. The report, Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists, was released May 21, 2024.


      While some estimates say that around 20 per cent rangelands were degraded, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), up to 35 per cent of grasslands are at risk of degradation, with other rangelands showing significant risk at 26-27 per cent.

     

     

 

     


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