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NSP - Grasslands, Rangelands and Forage Crops
 

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

  
NEWS
  • Savory Institute International Conference
    June 27-29, 2013, Boulder, Colorado USA
  • Conservation and Land Grabbing: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?
    ILC, IIED, Maliasilli Initiatives and ZSL are co-organising a Symposium on conservation and land in London in March - read more here. The ILC learning initiative Making Rangelands Secure will be supporting the production of country papers in Kenya, Ethiopia, Mongolia and India with a particular emphasis on considering the issues in rangelands. IIED are supporting other country papers as well as papers and presentations from individuals/organisations working on related issues. If you are interested in taking part and/or would like more information, please contact Dilys Roe: [email protected]
  • Prince Charles comments on Allan Savory and his integrated approach to ranching and farming.
    See the video here
    A segment from the speech given by the Prince to the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Full video clip is here
    Visit The Savory Institute
  • The Multisward Project
    The objective of Multisward is to support developments and innovations in grassland use and management in different European farming systems (including low-input and organic), pedoclimatic and socio-economic conditions i) to enhance the role of grasslands at farm and landscape levels to produce environmental goods and to limit the erosion of biodiversity and ii) to optimise economic, agronomic and nutritional advantages for the development of innovative and sustainable ruminant production systems.
  • AGP Country Pasture Profiles Reach 100
    One hundred profiles are now available in the AGP Country Pasture Profile database. Developed to make available basic information about the pasture and forage resources of countries, each profile provides a broad overview of relevant general, topographical, climatic and...[more]

Meetings

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

The International Terminology is now also available in Arabic. Please find it here.

Are grasslands under threat?
According to FAOSTAT the area under Pasture and Fodder Crops has decreased in Africa and South America. Large grassland areas have been destroyed or converted into agricultural land during the last 30 years. [more...]

 

New Publications

Core Themes