Destroyed ancient grasslands fail to return to original state for over a century, global study shows

Ancient grasslands that are ruined for development projects or mining take over one hundred years to grow back in their original form, a new global study reveals. These overlooked ecosystems hold one-third of the earth's land carbon, support wide wildlife variety, and help billions of pastoralists earn a living. Despite this, they often face destruction because people view them as empty wastelands.

Recovery Challenges

Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that destroyed ancient grasslands almost never recover the same way for at least a century. Changed soil nutrients and pH levels prevent old plant types from growing back. Instead, new secondary grasslands form with taller plants, higher specific leaf area, lower dry-matter content, and non-native annual weeds. Scientists looked at 742 plant species across India, Australia, Brazil, and the United States for this research, including a team member from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Pune. Secondary grasslands contain fewer species overall, missing many native perennial grasses and forbs found in old-growth areas.

Restoration Efforts

Conservationist and ornithologist Asad Rahmani stated that while natural grasslands cannot fully be restored, successful revival projects exist in places like the Thar desert, Kutch, the Deccan, the Terai, and Assam flood plains. Restoring the Solapur grassland brought back the endangered bustard, while Corbett Foundation work in Kutch returned the lesser florican and birds like larks, warblers, and white-browed bush chats. Assam's Orange grasslands also successfully brought back the pygmy hog. Prof. Rahmani urged the creation of a National Grassland Restoration Programme and a National Grazing Policy. India holds fifteen percent of global livestock on four percent of world land area but currently lacks any national plan to restore these vital areas.

Context

Grasslands are vital natural habitats that act as major carbon sinks and support rural livelihoods across the globe. Protecting existing old-growth areas remains crucial because lost ecosystems cannot easily be replaced through artificial replanting.