Land Degradation in Rangelands: Causes, Indicators, and Management Strategies

Rangelands are ecosystems that cover 31.2% of the world's terrestrial area and 37.8% of

Turkey's agricultural lands, playing a vital role for rural communities. These semi-natural areas

provide a wide range of ecosystem services, including food, fiber, water, recreation, and

minerals, as well as essential roughage for livestock, making them crucial for livelihoods

worldwide, particularly in developing countries. However, competition in land use, extreme

climate events, socioeconomic changes, and excessive or improper grazing have led to

rangelands degradation in many regions.

Studies indicate that overgrazing reduces soil aggregate stability by 30-50% and significantly

increases erosion risk. The effects of climate change, particularly drought and rising

temperatures, accelerate degradation by reducing vegetation regeneration capacity. Woody

plant invasion decreases forage productivity by up to 60%, leading to both ecological and

economic losses. This review concludes that on-site measurements—such as soil aggregate

stability, bare soil ratio, and vegetation composition—along with remote sensing technologies

(NDVI, MODIS), are critical for understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of

degradation. Among the proposed strategies for sustainable rangeland management, controlled

grazing systems, woody plant control, and early warning systems stand out. Community-based

management models, integrating local knowledge and scientific data, yield more effective

results. Additionally, new policies are recommended to revise rangeland rights and grazing

regulations.

Given our dependence on rangelands, the degradation of these resources is believed to have

large-scale impacts. This paper examines the primary causes of rangeland degradation,

discusses indicators for identifying degradation, and evaluates methods for assessing the degree

of degradation in rangeland ecosystems. Furthermore, options and considerations for restoring

degraded rangelands are presented, along with forward-looking approaches for monitoring and

evaluating rangeland degradation.