Agriculture Is Consuming Grasslands and Wetlands at Alarming Rates

A new study indicates that grasslands, savannas, and wetlands are being converted for agricultural use at a rate nearly four times that of forests. This conversion is primarily associated with livestock production, according to research published in *PNAS*. The study found that approximately 50% of non-forest land conversion is for pasture. Additionally, significant portions of this land are being used for animal feed crops and biofuels. The research states that livestock and dairy production contribute substantially to this land use change, with animal feed accounting for over one-third of global cropland conversion. These non-forest ecosystems function as carbon sinks and, according to the study, receive less attention in conservation efforts compared to forests. The study suggests that policymakers and companies should include grassland conversion in conservation targets to address agricultural expansion into these natural areas.