Plant Production and Protection Division: Grasslands trial

Current figures estimate that 26% of the world land area and 70% of the world agricultural area are covered by grasslands, which contribute to the livelihoods of over 800 million people. They are an important feed source for livestock, a habitat for wildlife, provide environmental protection, storage of carbon and water and in situ conservation of plant genetic resources. The rapid increase in population, coupled with the effects of climate change, has enhanced pressure on the world’s grasslands, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments, and portions of grasslands on every continent are suffering from degradation.

Typology of Grasslands

Database		Information
Country Pasture Profiles Grassland Species Profiles		Typology of Grasslands Field Projects Grasslands, Rangelands & Forage Publications Grasslands Carbon Working Group

New Publications

Meetings

The 16th Meeting of the FAO-CIHEAM Meeting on Mountain pastures will be held in Krakov (Poland) from 25th to 27th May 2011. Find more information here

Conference: America's Grasslands Conference, to be held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from the 15th to 17th August, 2011 Find more information here

Grassland farming and land management systems in mountainous regions, 16th EGF Symposium 2011, to be held in Austria from 28th to 31st August 2011 Find more information here

An International Terminology for Grazing Lands and Grazing Animals has been published by the International Forage and Grazing Lands Terminology Committee. It's objective is to develop a consensus of terms and definitions to ensure clear international communication regarding grazing lands and grazing animals.

Terms included have relevance to both domesticated and wild grazing animals. It is intended that these terms enhance communication in education, science, industry and production and that they become the standard for use in publications.

Please click here for free access to Terminology at Wiley Online Library

Core Themes