(Including UN Declaration – International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026)

Understand the difference between rangelands and grasslands, their ecological importance, ecosystem services, threats, and conservation strategies, along with the United Nations declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

Focus Keywords:
Rangelands vs Grasslands, What are Rangelands, Grassland Ecosystem, Pastoralists, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026

---

Introduction

Rangelands and grasslands are among the most widespread and ecologically significant landscapes on Earth. They support biodiversity, regulate climate, provide livelihoods to millions of pastoralists, and ensure food security in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.

Recognising their importance, the United Nations has declared 2026 as the “International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists”, bringing global attention to their conservation and sustainable management.

---

What are Grasslands?

Grasslands are a natural biome dominated mainly by grasses and herbaceous plants, with very few trees or shrubs.

Key Features of Grasslands:

• Dominated by grasses

• Moderate to low rainfall

• Supports large grazing animals

• Fertile soils in many regions

• Sensitive to land-use change

Major Types of Grasslands:

• Prairies (North America)

• Pampas (South America)

• Steppes (Central Asia)

• Savannas (Africa, parts of India and South America)

Grasslands play a crucial role in carbon storage (especially in soils), biodiversity conservation, and agricultural productivity.

---

What are Rangelands?

Rangelands are defined by land use, not just vegetation. They are areas where native vegetation is managed primarily for grazing livestock and wildlife.

Rangelands Include:

• Grasslands

• Savannas

• Shrublands

• Semi-deserts

• Alpine meadows

• Open woodlands

Key Characteristics of Rangelands:

• Used mainly for grazing and pastoral livelihoods

• Vegetation includes grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees

• Managed through traditional practices like mobility and seasonal grazing

• Found mostly in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions

---

Rangelands vs Grasslands: Key Differences

Important Relationship:

• All grasslands used for grazing can be rangelands

• Not all rangelands are grasslands

---

Ecosystem Services Provided

Both grasslands and rangelands deliver critical ecosystem services:

1. Livelihoods & Food Security

• Support pastoralist and agro-pastoral communities

• Provide meat, milk, wool, and hides

2. Biodiversity Conservation

• Habitat for diverse plant and animal species

• Many endemic and migratory species depend on these ecosystems

3. Water Regulation

• Act as catchment areas for major rivers

• Aid groundwater recharge

4. Climate Regulation

• Store carbon in soils and deep root systems

• Help reduce climate extremes like droughts

5. Cultural & Social Value

• Preserve traditional knowledge and indigenous cultures

• Integral to nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyles

---

Threats to Rangelands and Grasslands

Despite their importance, these ecosystems face severe threats:

• Conversion to cropland and plantations

• Unsustainable grazing in some regions

• Deforestation and infrastructure development

• Loss of pastoral mobility and land rights

• Climate change (erratic rainfall, droughts, heatwaves)

Degradation leads to desertification, biodiversity loss, and reduced livelihood security.

---

UN Declaration: International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026

The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to:

• Raise global awareness of rangelands’ ecological and economic value

• Highlight the role of pastoralists in sustainable land management

• Promote policies that protect grazing lands and traditional livelihoods

• Encourage restoration of degraded rangelands

• Strengthen climate resilience and food security

This declaration places rangelands at the centre of global discussions on sustainable development, climate action, and biodiversity conservation.

---

Policy and Governance Priorities

To protect rangelands and grasslands, governments and institutions should:

• Recognise pastoral land rights and mobility routes

• Promote community-based rangeland management

• Integrate rangelands into climate and biodiversity strategies

• Avoid inappropriate afforestation of natural grasslands

• Support research, data collection, and sustainable markets

---

Conservation and Sustainable Management Strategies

Effective conservation includes:

• Traditional and community-led grazing systems

• Rotational and adaptive grazing practices

• Restoration using native vegetation

• Soil and water conservation measures

• Economic incentives for sustainable land use

---

Why This Topic Matters

Rangelands and grasslands are directly linked to:

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation

• Food and nutritional security

• Sustainable livelihoods

• Cultural preservation

• Global biodiversity targets

The UN declaration for 2026 highlights their global relevance and urgency.

---

FAQs

Q1. Are rangelands and grasslands the same?
No. Grasslands are ecosystems defined by vegetation, while rangelands are land-use systems that may include grasslands and other ecosystems.

Q2. Why are pastoralists important?
Pastoralists manage rangelands sustainably using traditional knowledge, helping conserve biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Q3. Why did the UN declare 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists?
To highlight their importance, promote sustainable management, and protect pastoral livelihoods worldwide.

Q4. Can rangelands help fight climate change?
Yes. Healthy rangelands store carbon, regulate water cycles, and enhance resilience against climate extremes.

---

One-Line Takeaway

Grasslands are ecosystems; rangelands are land-use systems that sustain biodiversity, climate stability, and pastoral livelihoods—now globally recognised through the UN’s 2026 declaration.