Areas suitable for grassland restoration and conservation identified in Tropical Montane Grasslands (TMG)
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment
In news
Tropical montane grasslands (TMG) in the Shola Sky Islands of the Western Ghats have suffered big reductions due to invasions by exotic trees.
However, researchers have now identified areas suitable for grassland restoration and conservation to reverse the decline.
Key takeaways
TMG are high elevation grasslands forming only 2% of all grasslands in the world.
Function: Regulating the global carbon cycle and serving as a source of water to downstream communities.
In India, TMG have been classified as wastelands in forest management plans since they are unlikely to generate revenue, contrary to the timber found in forests.
Do you know?
In the Western Ghats, 23% of montane grasslands were reportedly converted into invasive exotic tree cover over a period of 44 years.
