The grasslands and scrublands of arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico: Current status, challenges and perspectives

Abstract

The objective was to review the current state of the semi-arid grasslands and arid scrublands of northern and central Mexico, as well as to analyze the challenges and perspectives of the use of these ecosystems. Since the 1950s, INIFAP, in collaboration with other institutions, has generated and transferred knowledge on rangeland management, which has reflected in the use of management practices on cattle ranches in the country. The grasslands and scrublands have suffered disturbances -particularly the opening of land for crops- and are deteriorated mainly from overgrazing. The use of grasslands and scrublands through grazing should include adequate stocking, grazing systems, and strategic grazing distribution practices. Despite the deterioration, there is a great diversity of genetic resources, mainly pastures, which can be used for conservation and seed production for the rehabilitation of grasslands. Although costly and risky, re-seeding is an option for restoring decayed grasslands or shrublands. These ecosystems can provide environmental services, mainly carbon sequestration, to mitigate climate change. The challenges are to generate, transfer, and apply knowledge and technological innovations in order to achieve sustainable management of grasslands and scrublands, despite some threats such as low investment in science and technology, climate change, and human greed. The joint and committed participation of all the actors and institutions involved in the use of these ecosystems is essential to attain this goal.