The multifunctional role of grasslands
2008
Bugalho, M.N., Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Lisboa (Portugal). Centre for Applied Ecology "Baeta Neves" | Abreu, J.M., Estação Nacional de Melhoramento de Plantas, Elvas (Portugal). Sociedade Portuguesa de Pastagens e Forragens
The traditional role of grasslands has been, until recently, to support livestock production. This has expanded to other aims, particularly in the environmental domain. Grasslands are important contributors to biodiversity both within the Mediterranean Region and elsewhere. Emblematic species, such as the great bustard (Otis tarda) and the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), are dependent on the occurrence of grasslands within their regions of distribution. The relevance of grasslands to biodiversity is recognized by the European Union with grassland areas being classified as priority habitats within the Natura 2000 network. Contribution to biodiversity occurs at scales varying from the community to the landscape. Other functions of grasslands include carbon sequestration, recreation or even protection, e.g. as fire-breaks against wildfires. The main functions of grasslands beyond livestock production are described with a particular emphasis on Mediterranean grasslands and their contribution to biodiversity
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