Strengthening Grazing Pressure Management to Improve Grassland Ecosystem Services

Throughout the second half of the 20th Century, the area of semi-natural grasslands in the Baltic States decreased substantially, due to agricultural abandonment in some areas and intensification in more productive soil types. In order to halt the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by grasslands, the LIFE+ programme funded project, LIFE Viva Grass, aims at developing an integrated planning tool that will support ecosystem-based planning and sustainable grassland management. LIFE Viva Grass integrated planning tool is spatially explicit and allows the user to assess the provision and trade-offs of grassland ecosystem services within eight project case study areas in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In order to ensure methodological adaptability, the structure of the LIFE Viva Grass integrated planning tool follows the framework of the tiered approach. In a multi-tier system, each consecutive tier entails an increase in data requirements, methodological complexity or both. The present paper outlines the adaptation of the tiered approach for mapping and assessing ecosystem services provided by grasslands in the Baltic States. The first tier corresponds to a deliberative decision process: The matrix approach is used to assess the potential supply of grassland ecosystem services based on expert estimations. Expert values are subsequently transferred to grassland units and therefore made spatially explicit. The data collected in the first tier was further enhanced through a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) in order to explore ES bundles in tier 2. In the third tier, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis is used to target specific policy questions.

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Cascading social-ecological costs and benefits triggered by a recovering keystone predator

Science ◽

10.1126/science.aay5342 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 368 (6496) ◽

pp. 1243-1247 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Edward J. Gregr ◽

Villy Christensen ◽

Linda Nichol ◽

Rebecca G. Martone ◽

Russell W. Markel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Ecosystem Change ◽

Kelp Forests ◽

Sea Otter ◽

Sea Otters ◽

Ecological Benefits ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Keystone Predators

Predator recovery often leads to ecosystem change that can trigger conflicts with more recently established human activities. In the eastern North Pacific, recovering sea otters are transforming coastal systems by reducing populations of benthic invertebrates and releasing kelp forests from grazing pressure. These changes threaten established shellfish fisheries and modify a variety of other ecosystem services. The diverse social and economic consequences of this trophic cascade are unknown, particularly across large regions. We developed and applied a trophic model to predict these impacts on four ecosystem services. Results suggest that sea otter presence yields 37% more total ecosystem biomass annually, increasing the value of finfish [+9.4 million Canadian dollars (CA$)], carbon sequestration (+2.2 million CA$), and ecotourism (+42.0 million CA$). To the extent that these benefits are realized, they will exceed the annual loss to invertebrate fisheries (−$7.3 million CA$). Recovery of keystone predators thus not only restores ecosystems but can also affect a range of social, economic, and ecological benefits for associated communities.

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Effect of Degradation Intensity on Grassland Ecosystem Services in the Alpine Region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0058432 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e58432 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Lu Wen ◽

Shikui Dong ◽

Yuanyuan Li ◽

Xiaoyan Li ◽

Jianjun Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Alpine Region ◽

Grassland Ecosystem

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The Valuation of Grassland Ecosystem Services in Inner Mongolia of China and Its Spatial Differences

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11247117 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (24) ◽

pp. 7117 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jing Ning ◽

Jianjun Jin ◽

Foyuan Kuang ◽

Xinyu Wan ◽

Chenyang Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Willingness To Pay ◽

Inner Mongolia ◽

Contingent Valuation Method ◽

Economic Valuation ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Grassland Ecosystem ◽

Valuation Method ◽

Grassland Ecosystems ◽

Spatial Differences

Economic valuation of grassland ecosystem services is important for protecting and restoring grassland ecosystems. This study aims to investigate Chinese netizens’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for protecting grassland ecosystem services in Inner Mongolia by using the contingent valuation method. The results indicate that 61.55% of respondents expressed a positive WTP. The mean WTP was estimated to be CNY 170.76 (USD 25.11) per person per year. We found that there is a significant spatial difference in respondent’s WTP. Factors such as respondent age, education, household income and concern about grassland protection significantly affected their WTP. Younger, more educated and wealthier respondents have a higher probability of willingness to pay, and those who are concerned about grassland protection present a higher WTP. The regression results also show that distance from the grassland negatively affects the probability and values of people’s WTP. Findings of this research provide useful policy implications for decision-makers involved in grassland protection and management.

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Assessing the feasibility of carbon payments and Payments for Ecosystem Services to reduce livestock grazing pressure on saltmarshes

Journal of Environmental Management ◽

10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.07.060 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 225 ◽

pp. 46-61 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dominic Muenzel ◽

Simone Martino

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Payments For Ecosystem Services

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Stakeholder perceptions of grassland ecosystem services in relation to knowledge on soil fertility and biodiversity

Regional Environmental Change ◽

10.1007/s10113-011-0214-0 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 791-804 ◽

Cited By ~ 153

Author(s):

Pénélope Lamarque ◽

Ulrike Tappeiner ◽

Catherine Turner ◽

Melanie Steinbacher ◽

Richard D. Bardgett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Stakeholder Perceptions ◽

Grassland Ecosystem

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Guidelines for the Conservation of Subnival Wet Grassland Plant Formation of the Moor, ‘Rio Blanco’ in the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve

ESPOCH Congresses: The Ecuadorian Journal of S.T.E.A.M. ◽

10.18502/espoch.v1i1.9551 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

G. M. Ati ◽

E. A. Muñoz ◽

D. A. Vistin ◽

G. Y. Balseca

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Production Reserve ◽

Grassland Ecosystem ◽

The Andes ◽

Palabras Clave ◽

Wet Grassland ◽

Para Determinar

The Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve is one of the most important protected areas in Ecuador, located in the provinces of Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Bolívar in the Andes, has an area of 52683 ha, consisting of eight plant formations, 41 indigenous communities that inhabit in this conservation site. Rio Blanco, is a representative community of the subnival wet grassland ecosystem of the moorland where the research was carried out, in which the floristic composition, the threats were analyzed, from which the guidelines for its conservation were formulated. The Gloria methodology was applied to determine coverage, biodiversity indexes and the IVI. 10 families and 23 genera were found, the most abundant are asteraceae and geraniaceae. The site reports a diversity that goes from medium to high. The identified ecosystem services are supply, regulation and cultural. From the analysis of contribution and irreversibility; of severity and scope, the formation presents an average of (2.05) and (2.8) respectively, it means that the pressure is wide in scope, with these elements in a participatory way the guidelines were defined to avoid the deterioration of the ecosystem to Through four programs. Keywords: conservation, training, grassland threats, guidelines. Resumen La Reserva de Producción de Fauna Chimborazo es una de las áreas protegidas más importantes de Ecuador, ubicada en las provincias de Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Bolívar en los Andes, tiene una extensión de 52683 ha, formada por ocho formaciones vegetales, 41 comunidades indígenas que habitan en este sitio de conservación. Rio Blanco, es una comunidad representativa del ecosistema herbazal húmedo subnival del páramo donde se desarrolló la investigación, en esta se analizó la composición florística, las amenazas, a partir de lo cual se formularon los lineamientos para su conservación. Se aplicó la metodología Gloria para determinar coberturas, índices de biodiversidad y el IVI. Se encontraron 10 familias y 23 géneros, las de mayor abundancia son asteraceae y geraniaceae. El sitio reporta una diversidad que va de media a alta. Los servicios ecosistemicos identificados son de suministro, regulación y cultural. A partir de los análisis de contribución e irreversibilidad; de severidad y alcance, la formación presenta un promedio de (2,05) y (2,8) respectivamente, significa que la presión es de amplio alcance, con estos elementos en forma participativa se definieron los lineamientos para evitar el deterioro del ecosistema a través de cuatro programas. Palabras clave: conservación, formación, herbazal, amenazas, lineamientos.

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Land managers’ and service providers’ perspectives on the magnitude, impact and management of non-domestic grazing pressure in the southern rangelands of Australia

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj19065 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 461 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. Atkinson ◽

R. B. Hacker ◽

G. J. Melville ◽

J. Reseigh

Keyword(s):

Service Providers ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Livestock Production ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Pressure Management ◽

South Wales ◽

Business Profitability ◽

The Impact

In the southern rangelands of Australia, the capability of land managers to manage total grazing pressure, with support from their service providers, influences resource condition, livestock production and pastoral business profitability. This study investigated the perspectives of people who face the challenge of managing total grazing pressure. Self-administered surveys were used to collect the perspectives of 220 land managers and 46 service providers to total grazing pressure management and the impacts of grazing animals. Land managers and service providers agreed that, on average, 40 to 50% of the total demand for forage is due to non-domestic animals, that a reduction in this component is required, and that current levels are at least double the desirable level. The majority of respondents (>54%) assessed both livestock and non-domestic animals to have a negative impact on soils and pastures. However, livestock were more frequently assessed to have a positive impact on soils and pastures than non-domestic animals. The respondents commonly suggested that the impact livestock have on soils and pastures depends on management. Non-domestic animals were assessed by the majority of respondents to have a negative impact on livestock production and business profitability, apart from unmanaged goats where opinions were divided. Both land managers and service providers used the ‘large negative’ category to describe the impact on livestock production and business profitability more frequently for kangaroos than for any other herbivore. There were significant differences in the respondents’ perspectives among the States. Respondents in New South Wales and Queensland estimated a higher proportion of demand for forage from non-domestic animals than respondents from other States. The respondents in New South Wales also more frequently assessed unmanaged goats to have a positive impact on business profitability compared with the other States. Total grazing pressure management was rated as a high priority issue by 66% of respondents. ‘Improved kangaroo management’ and ‘fencing’ were the two main factors identified with potential to make a substantial difference to total grazing pressure management in the next ten years.

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