Grassland degradation and restoration: a conceptual framework of stages and thresholds illustrated by southern Brazilian grasslands
0106 biological sciences
2. Zero hunger
Ecology
Land-use change
Conservation
Biodiversity
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
15. Life on land
01 natural sciences
Grazing
13. Climate action
Restoration
0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
Abiotic characteristics
Nature and Landscape Conservation
DOI:
10.1016/j.ncon.2015.08.002
Publication Date:
2015-09-21T23:44:46Z
AUTHORS (9)
ABSTRACT
AbstractLand degradation is a complex concept that integrates different aspects, including changes in soil conditions, biodiversity, productivity and socio-economic implications, compared to a reference state. We propose a new conceptual framework to analyze degradation stages and restoration thresholds in species-rich natural grasslands. The framework integrates different degradation stages with their respective thresholds and describes key processes of land-use change that lead to certain stages and thresholds. Specifically, we discuss two scenarios of grassland degradation, i.e. unsuitable grassland management and complete change of land use, sometimes followed by spontaneous recovery. We illustrate the framework with the case of south Brazilian grasslands, which are rich in biodiversity, but suffer from a series of degradation processes and are poorly considered from a conservation perspective. The conceptual framework can be applied by studies on degradation and restorability of tropical and subtropical grasslands after changes in management or transition to other land use; it will facilitate decisions on alternative management and conservation.
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CITATIONS (143)
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