The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to highlight the critical role that rangelands and pastoralist communities play in sustainable food production, ecosystem protection and climate resilience. According to FAO Assistant Director-General Thanawat Tiensin, rangelands are diverse landscapes used for grazing, including grasslands, savannahs, deserts, mountains, wetlands and drylands. Although these areas are often viewed as unproductive because conventional agriculture is difficult, they provide vital ecosystems that support wildlife, livestock and pastoralist livelihoods that have existed for centuries.
Rangelands are found across many parts of the world, including Africa’s savannahs, Central Asia’s steppes, South America’s Pampas and North America’s Great Plains. They also exist in extreme climates, from the dry Sahel region to colder grasslands in northern Europe. Estimates suggest that rangelands cover roughly half of the Earth’s land surface, making them one of the largest types of ecosystems globally. In some countries, such as Mongolia, Australia and Mauritania, rangelands dominate the landscape and play a central role in national livelihoods.
Pastoralists are communities whose livelihoods depend largely on herding animals that graze on natural vegetation. Their livestock may include sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses, reindeer and other animals depending on the region. Many pastoralists practice seasonal migration, moving their herds to access water, pasture and markets while avoiding disease risks. These movements, sometimes covering hundreds of kilometres, shape pastoral cultures and traditions and influence food systems that rely heavily on meat, dairy products and wild plant resources.
Rangelands and pastoral systems contribute significantly to global food security and biodiversity. Around two billion people depend on rangelands for their livelihoods, and these ecosystems supply about ten percent of the world’s meat production. They also support diverse wildlife and plant species while preserving locally adapted livestock breeds that are often well suited to harsh environmental conditions. Grazing livestock can even support ecosystem health by helping plants regenerate and dispersing seeds across landscapes.
Despite their importance, rangelands and pastoral communities face serious challenges. Approximately half of the world’s rangelands are believed to be degraded, with declining vegetation cover, soil quality and biodiversity. In many regions, rangelands are being converted for urban expansion, mining, infrastructure development or crop farming due to the misconception that they are unused land. Pastoralists also face shrinking grazing areas, disrupted migration routes, rising resource conflicts and economic difficulties such as poor market access and low livestock prices. These pressures have made younger generations increasingly reluctant to continue pastoral livelihoods.
Climate change is intensifying these challenges. Many rangelands are becoming less productive due to reduced rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events, including droughts and floods. In some regions, water sources for livestock are disappearing, while severe climate events can wipe out large numbers of animals. Although pastoral communities have long adapted to environmental variability, the speed and scale of climate change are making adaptation more difficult.
Pastoralists are widely recognized as important stewards of rangelands because their livelihoods depend on maintaining healthy ecosystems. Over generations, they have developed extensive knowledge of weather patterns, grazing cycles, animal behaviour and natural resources. Their traditional practices, such as rotational grazing and seasonal mobility, help maintain vegetation growth and ecosystem balance while preventing overuse of land. Pastoralists also possess valuable knowledge of medicinal plants and livestock health practices that continue to support communities in remote areas.
Healthy rangelands also play a significant role in addressing global environmental challenges. Their deep-rooted plants improve soil structure, reduce erosion and enhance water infiltration while protecting soils from extreme weather. Rangelands can also capture significant amounts of carbon, helping mitigate climate change. In addition, pastoral systems generally rely on minimal fossil fuel inputs and are adapted to harsh climates, making them resilient food production systems.
Securing land rights and improving governance are crucial for the future of pastoral systems. Pastoralists often rely on large landscapes that include communal, private and state-owned land governed by traditional management systems. Recognizing these customary land rights and protecting seasonal grazing routes are essential to maintaining sustainable pastoral practices. Policies must also address inequalities that limit land access for women and young people, ensuring more inclusive participation in pastoral livelihoods.
Sustainable rangeland management involves balancing grazing with ecosystem productivity through flexible approaches such as rotational grazing, herd management and mobility. When properly managed, degraded rangelands can recover through improved grazing practices or restoration measures such as reseeding and invasive species removal. Restoring rangelands improves livestock productivity, strengthens rural livelihoods and supports food security.
The UN declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists following a proposal by Mongolia to draw global attention to these ecosystems and communities. The initiative aims to promote policies, investments and awareness that recognize pastoralism as a nature-based food production system capable of addressing interconnected challenges related to climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation.
The FAO is coordinating global activities for the year and supporting international collaboration through a steering committee that includes governments, pastoralist organizations, researchers and other stakeholders. The organization has also established a global alliance supporting rangelands and pastoralists, bringing together hundreds of institutions and individuals working to strengthen knowledge, advocacy and investment in these systems.
In recent years, FAO has promoted rangeland protection through policy advocacy, research initiatives and practical tools that support sustainable management. It also works directly with pastoral communities through training programs, participatory field schools and initiatives that strengthen innovation, education and leadership among women and youth. Through these efforts, FAO aims to ensure that pastoralist knowledge and rangeland ecosystems are recognized as essential components of sustainable agrifood systems and environmental resilience worldwide.
