Get reliable rangeland science

Rangelands occupy about 50% of the world’s land area. They
are ecologically and economically as important as rain forests and in
even greater danger of degradation and disappearance. This paper
reviews the definitions and distribution of rangelands and describes
their global environmental importance in terms of erosion control,
carbon storage and methane emission. Condition and degradation of
rangelands are defined and discussed and it is argued that soil
protection and carbon storage can be increased and methane
emission per animal decreased by conservative use and improvement
of rangelands, whilst at the same time alleviating hunger and
malnutrition in developing countries. It is concluded that policies
should be adopted by national governments and international development programs to conserve and improve rangelands.
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