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<p>Grassland fragmentation is intensifying globally, with substantial implications for biodiversity. Yet its extent, temporal dynamics and ecological effects remain unclear. Here we present a global assessment of grassland fragmentation from 1995 to 2020 and its effects on vertebrate species richness. Intact grassland area declined by 2.6% over this period, mainly owing to cropland expansion, and only about 24% of global grasslands remained structurally intact by 2020. The effects of fragmentation on species richness varied across regions and taxa. Low fragmentation increased richness in large tropical grasslands, whereas high fragmentation reduced richness in temperate grasslands, where reptiles showed the strongest and most consistent negative responses. To evaluate potential management strategies, we further compared future fragmentation under different land-use scenarios. Projections to 2045 suggest that conservation will reduce future fragmentation more effectively than restoration in 61% of ecoregions. Our findings reveal global patterns of grassland fragmentation and inform region-specific conservation strategies.</p>

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Global grassland fragmentation is intensifying with uneven consequences for vertebrate biodiversity

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月16日

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  • Ning Zhang,
  • Ang Li,
  • Yongzhi Yan,
  • Amy E. Frazier,
  • Qing Zhang,
  • He Yin

摘要

Grassland fragmentation is intensifying globally, with substantial implications for biodiversity. Yet its extent, temporal dynamics and ecological effects remain unclear. Here we present a global assessment of grassland fragmentation from 1995 to 2020 and its effects on vertebrate species richness. Intact grassland area declined by 2.6% over this period, mainly owing to cropland expansion, and only about 24% of global grasslands remained structurally intact by 2020. The effects of fragmentation on species richness varied across regions and taxa. Low fragmentation increased richness in large tropical grasslands, whereas high fragmentation reduced richness in temperate grasslands, where reptiles showed the strongest and most consistent negative responses. To evaluate potential management strategies, we further compared future fragmentation under different land-use scenarios. Projections to 2045 suggest that conservation will reduce future fragmentation more effectively than restoration in 61% of ecoregions. Our findings reveal global patterns of grassland fragmentation and inform region-specific conservation strategies.