Grasslands: Importance, Types, Threats

What are grasslands? 

Grasslands are made up of grasses or grass-like plants (graminoids), including wildflowers, herbs and annuals. These are places that do not support tree cover due to low rainfall, high (or low) temperatures, frequent fires or poor soil conditions but get more rain than a desert. 

What are the main types of grasslands in India? 

The main grasslands of India include Alpine moist meadows of the Greater Himalayas (eg. Great Himalayan National Park), Wet-alluvial or Terai grasslands of Gangetic and Brahmaputra floodplains (eg. Kaziranga National Park), Alpine arid pastures or steppe formations of trans-Himalayas (eg. Spiti), Savannahs of western and peninsular India (eg. Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary) and Shola Grasslands of Western Ghats (eg. Eravikulam National Park). 

Why are grasslands important? 

Grasslands are important since they act as water catchment areas, storing rainwater as well as carbon sinks, storing carbon. They have a high variety of plant and animal life, thus making them biodiversity reserves.

What are some threats to grasslands? 

Grasslands are often considered "wasteland" and thus are diverted for agriculture, settlements and industries. Ill-conceived afforestation programmes and introduction of invasive species like Proposis juliflora also threaten grasslands as they can destroy native flora.