Biomes - causes, impacts and solutions of destruction of grassland savannah

Causes - deforestation

Large areas of grassland are cleared for agricultural reasons which eliminates plant life, disrupts ecosystems and causes a loss of biodiversity

Causes - overgrazing

If livestock is not managed properly it overgrazes areas of the Savannah which leads to soil degradation and compacts ground so it wont survive droughts or new growth

Causes - climate change

Increases rainfall and temperatures which stresses vegetation which reduces it’s ability to survive and this accelerates land degradation

Causes - urban expansion

Growing population causes urban areas to expand into grasslands savannahs for housing and infrastructure which diminishes land available for wildlife, increases pollution and disrupts natural habitats

Causes - invasive species

Invasive species/ non-native plants and animals can outcompete native species, alter soil quality, water availability, nutrient cycling and declines in local flora and fauna

Impacts - loss of biodiversity

Plant and animal species are significantly reduced and many species depend on these ecosystems for food and habitat - as a result of this ecosystems are less diverse and at risk of becoming extinct

Impacts - soil erosion

Protective layers of vegetation are removed meaning fertile topsoil and agriculture are low when grasslands are destroyed

Impacts - carbon emissions

Grasslands act as significantly absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, however destroying grasslands release the carbon back into the atmosphere which contributes to climate change

Impacts - disruption to water cycles

Local water cycles are disrupted when grasslands are destroyed as the plants absorb rainwater and release moisture into the atmosphere - without them there may be flooding or droughts which can affect ecosystems and human communities

Impacts - impact on indigenous communities

Many indigenous communities rely on grassland ecosystems for culture and tradition and the destruction of them can lead to loss of resources and displacement

Solutions - implement sustainable agriculture practices

Encourage farmers to adapt sustainable farming methods (such as crop rotation) - this will improve the soil health and preserve local floras and faunas

Solutions - promote reforestation and afforestation

Community projects like planting native trees will help restore ecological balance, improve biodiversity and help combat climate change

Solutions - establish protected areas

Designate specific regions of grasslands savannahs or national parks to limit human activity - this creates safe habitats for wildlife and helps maintain natural ecosystems

Solutions - raise awareness and education

Educational programmes can help inform communities of the importance of grassland savannahs which encourages them to help conserve areas

Solutions - make laws against land degradation

Stricter laws against practices that lead to land degradation such as overgrazing and deforestation can help slow and stop further destruction of grasslands and vital ecosystems