Land Conversion Rates Exceed Forests in Study

Study in PNAS shows grasslands, savannas, and wetlands converted 4x faster than forests (2005–2020).
Livestock agriculture caused ~50% of non-forest conversion to pasture in Brazil, Argentina, US, China.
Grasslands store 34% of terrestrial carbon and 33% of biodiversity hotspots.
Wetlands convert at half the rate of dry lands but are vital climate sinks.
Brazil accounts for 13% of affected area, and Soy Moratorium shifted expansion to Cerrado.
Research used land-use data, models, and trade data to link conversions, affecting Russia, China, US, EU.

Conservation | Agriculture | Environmental

United States | Argentina | China | Russia | Brazil

4 days ago