Grasslands

Grasslands cover more than 40 per cent of the Earth’s land area and are found in every region of the world. They can be natural ecosystems, maintained by grazing ungulates, or semi-natural, created by humans through livestock rearing and agricultural practices.

Disturbances of fire, drought, grazing and frost prevent the establishment of forest and support a high diversity of plants and animals.

Grasslands are essential for the livelihoods of millions of people. They provide forage for domestic livestock and sources of revenue from initiatives such as large game safaris. The habitat is threatened by overgrazing, human settlement and desertification.

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is protecting biodiversity-rich grasslands and the species and communities they support.

In China we’re working with Tibetan nomads to prevent desertification and degradation and in Kenya we’re supporting a wildlife conservancy that holds East Africa’s largest population of black rhino on its savannahs.