Restoration of Grassland Ecosystems: Actions on the ground (ACTUAL TIME 16:15-17:15)

Land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change are major threats to the grassland ecosystems and rangelands and to the livelihoods of people. Land degradation in grassland ecosystems and rangelands can lead to a significant losses of soil organic carbon and accelerate the release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss. Grassland ecosystems and rangelands covers 54% of world’s terrestrial surface and include savannah, prairie, steppe, pampas and mountain pastures: ecosystems that harbour a wealth of biodiversity while supporting the livelihoods of millions of people, including many of the worlds’ livestock keepers. Grassland ecosystems and rangelands are highly diverse, grass-dominated landscapes that are shaped and defined by their close association with grazing ungulates and the notion of ‘ranging’.