International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists Highlights Overlooked Ecosystems
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to highlight the ecological and cultural significance of grasslands and the communities that depend on them. These ecosystems, covering over half of Earth's land surface, support biodiversity, food systems, and climate resilience but are often overlooked in global discussions. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the role of pastoralists in sustainable land management and the threats they face, such as land degradation and restricted mobility. It also emphasizes the value of traditional knowledge in maintaining resilient ecosystems amid climate change.
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to highlight the importance of grasslands and the communities that depend on them.
These ecosystems cover half the Earth’s land and support biodiversity, food systems, and climate resilience, yet they are often ignored in global discussions.
This focus brings attention to the sustainable practices of pastoralists and the need to protect rangelands, offering lessons for climate adaptation and land management.
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