Silent disappearance of pastures threatens climate and food security, says UN report

BERLIN, May 21 (Xinhua) — Up to 50 percent of the world’s pastures are degraded, endangering the food security and well-being of billions of people, the United Nations Convention on Combating Grasslands warned Tuesday. desertification (UNCCD) in a report.

Rangelands make up 54 percent of Earth’s land cover, account for a sixth of global food production and account for almost a third of the planet’s carbon reservoir, according to the Global Land Outlook thematic report on rangelands and pastoralists .

The report highlights issues such as soil erosion, salinization and biodiversity loss due to overexploitation, misuse and climate change, while emphasizing that the conversion of pastures to croplands and areas urban areas exacerbates these problems.

“When we cut down a forest, when we see a century-old tree fall, it rightly provokes an emotional response in many of us. Conversion of former pastures, on the other hand, takes place “silently” and attracts little public reaction,” said Convention Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw.

“Despite numbering around half a billion people worldwide, pastoral communities are often neglected, have no voice in the development of policies that directly affect their livelihoods, are marginalized and are even often considered as foreigners in their own lands,” Thiaw added.

“The imbalance between supply and demand of animal forage land leads to overgrazing, the presence of invasive species and an increased risk of drought and wildfires, which accelerates desertification trends and land degradation worldwide,” said Maryam Niamir-Fuller, co-chair of the International Support Group for the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.

“For the sake of future generations and economic stability, we must raise awareness and safeguard the immense value of rangelands,” said Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and President of the Global Environment Facility.

“Managers need authoritative information on the response of rangelands to different disturbances and management approaches, including policy tools that better capture the general social importance of rangelands,” he added.

The report recommends integrating climate strategies, reducing land conversion and supporting pastoralism to restore rangeland health.

“Meaningful participation of all stakeholders is essential for responsible rangeland governance, which promotes collective action, improves access to land and integrates traditional knowledge and practical skills,” said Pedro Maria Herrera Calvo, the lead author of the report.