SUSTAINABILITY into the future
It is widely recognised that grasslands produce a diverse array of foods for humans and are ideal for livestock. Of all the biomes in the world grasslands are one of the most important for food security, if not the most important. We not only need grasslands for important crops like wheat and rice, but we also need them for farming livestock, who then produce other important foods like milk and cheese. If we maximise pastures as the primary diet of livestock, grasslands provide alternatives to concentrate feed. Concentrate feed is materials that are fed to animals. If livestock can eat grass instead of actual food that has to be bought than we have a much cheaper way of feeding our livestock. Especially since in grasslands, grass will continue to grow so there will always be enough for grazing livestock.
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Grasslands cover about 25% to 35% of the total land on earth, and 80% of the agricultural productive land. Almost every nation has access to a grassland and can and do make use of it. The majority of grasslands are in developing countries, and very important to the lively hood of many poor people. However, sustainability is rarely taken in account when farming grasslands, Asia and Africa,
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How we can stay sustainable
It is urgent that we start to use grasslands appropriately and effectively before they start to degrade or turn into desert.
Some countries in Africa have used man-made water sources to ensure that the grass in grazing areas, often employed to reduce pressure on existing grassland. Without these, natural water sources often die out in grazing areas, and the grass struggles to grow back after livestock have grazed there. Without these, farmers would also be limited to grazing areas near large bodies of water.
Organisations such as "Natural England" are very active in protecting grasslands and making sure farming is sustainable. Natural England often checks on farms in grasslands, and makes sure that no overgrazing or supplementary feeding is occurring.
Prescribed burning is used to make sure an area is sustainable. Although it is burning grasses, it prevents plant diseases and pests from getting into grasslands and damaging them further. These restore native plant and animal communities.
Some countries in Africa have used man-made water sources to ensure that the grass in grazing areas, often employed to reduce pressure on existing grassland. Without these, natural water sources often die out in grazing areas, and the grass struggles to grow back after livestock have grazed there. Without these, farmers would also be limited to grazing areas near large bodies of water.
Organisations such as "Natural England" are very active in protecting grasslands and making sure farming is sustainable. Natural England often checks on farms in grasslands, and makes sure that no overgrazing or supplementary feeding is occurring.
Prescribed burning is used to make sure an area is sustainable. Although it is burning grasses, it prevents plant diseases and pests from getting into grasslands and damaging them further. These restore native plant and animal communities.