Half of all pastures are at risk of disappearing by 2100.

Too much drought and too little rainfall. Partly due to the climate crisis.

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grazing fields
When we talk about grassland, we often imagine a universe of little significance for the future of humanity, but that's not the case. According to the FAO, grasslands cover 26 percent of the world's land surface and represent 70 percent of agricultural land, contributing to the livelihoods of more than 800 million people. But by the end of the century, half of the planet's grasslands could disappear, meaning they would no longer be able to fulfill their vital function of supporting livestock.

A research recently published on (PNAS) and created by a team of scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) indicates that A significant portion of the land currently suitable for grazing may no longer be suitable by 2100 due to the climate crisis.. In particular:

  • Between about 36% and 50% of the territories that currently have climatic conditions suitable for grazing cattle, sheep and goats could lose that suitability by the end of the century.
  • Climatic conditions for grazing animals to live in may become too hot, dry or unstable in many areas.

The most vulnerable areas include already hot or drought-prone regions, particularly many parts of theAfrica and other arid or semi-arid areas. Under high-emission scenarios, optimal conditions for traditional pastures could decline much more than under lower-emission scenarios.

But why does the climate crisis impact so directly on land used for grazing and farming?breedingThere are several factors that influence this, including:

Rising temperatures

    • Grasses and pasture plants have an optimal temperature range. If it's too hot, growth slows or stops, and plants can dry out or die, reducing the amount of forage available to animals.
    • Already warm areas (such as parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Australia) risk becoming virtually inhospitable for traditional grazing.

The decrease in precipitation

  • Rainfall becomes more erratic and intense in some areas, and too scarce in others.
  • Without regular water, grass doesn't grow well enough and the soil can deteriorate, becoming sandy or dry.

Extreme weather events

  • Heat waves, sudden storms or prolonged droughts destroy already fragile pastures.
  • Plant roots can be damaged, soil can erode, and recovery can take years.

Changes in vegetation

  • Some invasive plants or less nutritious species can replace traditional grasses, decreasing the quality of the pasture.
  • Animals need a certain type of vegetation to thrive; if the pasture changes, they suffer.
  • Dry or degraded soils reflect less light and retain less water, further worsening conditions for grass.
The loss of soil announced by the research of scientists of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)It would affect 140 million shepherds and farmers and 1,6 billion animals.

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