The Value Of Grass Lands And Mountain Restoration

The value of grasslands and mountain restoration MAINSTREAMING AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD SECURITY by C. Batello FAO, AGPC – Rome Rome 9-11-2004

Estimates of proportion of the earth covered by grasslands vary between 20 and 40 percent depending on definition; natural grasslands cover more than twice the area of the world’s cropped area. Grasslands contribute to the livelihood of over 800 M. people.

Grasslands: •

provide the base for sustainable livestock production

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are vital for watershed management

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provide habitats for plants and wildlife

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are important as places of pilgrimage for local communities (for example the pasture of Kunasa is considered a “beyul”(sacred, hidden land) by the Bonpo communities of Phoksundo in Nepal)

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have a great potential for rehabilitation of soils degraded by mining and industrial pollution

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are important as food source and for human and animal medicinal production

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are important for production of fibres and energy

Three examples of grassland biodiversity for sustainable economic development: •

Grasslands for Mountain Environments ( snow, poor soils, steep slopes)

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Grasslands for Recycling of Water

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Grasslands for Biomass Production

Grasslands for mountain environments ( snow, poor soils, steep slopes) Large building projects such as reservoirs for power stations, roads and ski lifts, need rapid surface protection, restoration of stability and protection of biomes Researchers, practitioners, foresters, ecologists, geotechnical and civil engineers increasingly collaborate to develop new technologies to restore slope stability and prevent soil erosion problems For nature protection and watershed management rather than for forage production, site-specific plants have been increasingly investigated in recent years that have the following characteristics: - Adapted to shallow, nutrient-deficient soils - Resistant to long, cold winters, wind, summer rainfall - Extensive root systems, leaves growing close to ground - Resistance to traction and trampling

Grasslands for mountain environments ( snow, steep slopes) Agrotechnical techniques: Channelling – log erosion barriers – drift of branches – straw mulching blocking mire “grips” or drainage with sterile straw bales, or mechanical barriers across slopes – transplanting of pioneer species Eco-engineering techniques: Hydroseeding with herbaceous species ( with or without fertilization) – Hydromulching – Natural mats for slopes reclamation – Anchored organic blankets to prevent gully erosion

Grasslands for Recycling of water Constructed wetlands are complex systems in terms of biology, hydraulics and water • For some applications, they are an excellent option because they are low in cost and in maintenance requirements, offer good performance, and provide a natural appearance, if not more beneficial ecological benefits • Constructed wetlands are especially well suited for wastewater treatment in small communities where inexpensive land is available and skilled operators hard to find and keep

Recycle of waters

Grasslands for Recycling of water The primary role of emergent vegetation in Artificial Wetland Systems is providing structure for : enhancing flocculation – sedimentation – filtration of suspended solids through idealized hydrodynamic conditions They also insulate the water surface from cold winter temperatures – trap falling and drifting snow – reducing the heat-loss effects of wind

Limited information is available to demonstrate significant or consistent effects of the different plant species on constructed wetland performance.

Grasslands for Recycling of water Characteristics of plants for constructed wetlands: 1. The primary purposes of Free-floating Aquatic plants such as Common duckweed (Lemma) and Big duckweed (Spirodela) are Nutrient uptake and shading and retard action of algal growth Dense floating mats limit oxygen diffusion from the atmosphere and block sunlight, but provide shelter and food for animals. 2. Rooted Floating aquatic plants such as Water Lily ( Nymphea) and Pennyworth (Hydrocotyle) provide structure for microbial attachment and release oxygen to the water. 3. Emergent Aquatic plants such as Common Reed (Phragmites), Cattail ( Typha) and Bulrush (Scirpus), that tolerate satured conditions, provide structure to induce enhanced flocculation and sedimentation, are windbreaks and insulate during winter months.

Grasslands for Biomass Production Crop production strategies need to be developed which are as efficient as possible in capturing sunlight (solar energy) and storing it in plants (solar battery). Desirable characteristics for energy feedstocks include: 1. Efficient conversion of sunlight into plant material 2. Efficient water use as moisture 3. Sunlight interception for as much of the growing season as possible 4. Minimal external inputs in the production and harvest cycle (ie. seed, fertilizer, machine operations and crop drying) 5. Good production in poor and marginal soils.

Grasslands for Biomass Production The world market for pulp and paper products is forecast to nearly double during the next three decades in response to a growing population and the economic development of countries in the Pacific Rim, including China. The key to the commercialization of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) lies in the development of new technologies that can use the entire stem. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is also composed of two components, a short fibre inner core and long fibre bark. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a C4 prairie grass, yields in the order of 80-120 tons ha/yr. The grass can be used for energy production but was more recently identified as a close substitute for hardwood fibre in pulp and paper making. Miscanthus, sweet sorghum, Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans [L.] Nash), Western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.)

Further research •

Appropriate management technologies ( mats for mountain species, use of residues)

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New and appropriate transformation technologies (biobriquettes, long fibers, feed and green manure production)

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Seed production (seed of most species is not commercially available)

Recommendations •

Biologists, agronomists, engineers, chemists to work as a team

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“Filière” work: from the field to the market. Sustainable agronomic production practices – sustainable processing practices – sustainable and new market opportunities ( Three R concept: Renew – Reuse – Recycle)

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Enhance the political and environmental compatibility of international commitments such as the Ecosystem Approach with the implementation of the Convention on the Protection of the Alps (Alpine Convention started in 1951 and covers an area of 20 M. ha inhabited by 15 M. people in 8 states, 53 regions and 5800 communities).