Agriculture Is Replacing Grasslands, Wetlands and Other Overlooked Ecosystems at an Alarming Rate
New research has uncovered a hidden environmental crisis: agriculture is rapidly consuming grasslands, wetlands, savannas and other non-forest ecosystems at a rate that far exceeds forest loss. According to a groundbreaking study by the World Resources Institute (WRI), Land & Carbon Lab, Rainforest Alliance, and the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, the world lost approximately 95 million hectares of non-forest natural ecosystems to annual crops between 2005 and 2020—an area roughly the size of Indonesia.
Perhaps even more alarming, an additional 95 million hectares were likely converted to pasture during the same period. Combined, this 190 million hectares represents an area nearly four times larger than the forest area converted to agriculture over the same timeframe. These findings challenge the conservation community’s traditional focus on forests and highlight the urgent need to protect these overlooked but critically important ecosystems.
Understanding the Research
This study represents the first comprehensive global analysis of non-forest ecosystem conversion to agriculture. Unlike previous research that focused primarily on deforestation, this analysis specifically examined the fate of grasslands, savannas, wetlands and other non-forest landscapes. The research utilized newly available datasets including Global Pasture Watch and GLAD Land Cover to track ecosystem changes globally.
The study focused exclusively on annual crops—those replanted each year like soy, wheat and corn—rather than perennial crops such as oil palm, coffee or rubber. This distinction is important because annual crops represent a fundamentally different type of agricultural expansion with distinct environmental impacts and policy implications.
Key Findings and Results
The research reveals several critical insights about global ecosystem conversion:
- Scale of Conversion: Non-forest ecosystem conversion to agriculture totaled 190 million hectares, split roughly equally between cropland (95 million hectares) and pasture (95 million hectares)
- Comparison to Forest Loss: This conversion rate is approximately four times higher than forest conversion to agriculture during the same period
- Carbon Impact: Grasslands alone store an estimated 20-35% of terrestrial carbon, while wetlands hold another 20-30% despite covering much less area
- Global Reach: The conversion affects ecosystems on every continent, with varying patterns of crop types and uses
What’s Driving Non-Forest Ecosystem Loss?
The analysis reveals that crop expansion and pasture expansion each account for approximately half of the ecosystem conversion. Understanding which specific crops are associated with this conversion is crucial for developing targeted solutions.
Major Commodity Crops
Several globally traded commodity crops emerge as primary drivers:
- Maize (Corn): The most widely associated crop with non-forest ecosystem conversion globally, used for food, animal feed, biofuels and industrial products
- Soy: Nearly always grown as a commodity crop, primarily for animal feed, soybean oil and biofuels
- Rapeseed: Linked to extensive grassland conversion in Canada, the U.S. and Australia
- Cotton: Expanding alongside ecosystem conversion in India and Benin
- Sugarcane: Associated with conversion in Brazil and Mexico
Regional Variations
The types of crops and their end uses vary significantly by region. While some crops like rice, vegetables and pulses are primarily grown for local food security, others like soy and corn serve global commodity markets. This distinction is crucial for determining appropriate policy responses.
The Livestock Connection
Perhaps the most significant finding is the role of livestock production in driving ecosystem conversion. When combining direct pasture conversion with cropland used for animal feed, livestock production emerges as the single largest driver of non-forest ecosystem replacement globally.
Key statistics include:
- Over one-third (34%) of converted cropland is used for livestock feed production
- In major producing countries like Brazil, Argentina, the U.S., China and the EU, feed accounts for over 50% of cropland conversion
- In Brazil and Argentina, 80% of feed grown on converted land is destined for foreign markets
This global trade connection means that demand for meat and dairy products in one country can drive ecosystem conversion in another, effectively outsourcing environmental impacts.
Implications and Applications
The research has profound implications for conservation policy, corporate sustainability and global food systems. These non-forest ecosystems provide crucial services including:
- Carbon storage equivalent to 20-35% of terrestrial carbon
- Critical wildlife habitat for countless species
- Soil protection and water regulation services
- Livelihoods and food security for over a billion people
Despite their importance, these ecosystems receive far less attention and protection than forests in conservation policies and corporate commitments.
What This Means for Sustainable Supply Chains
The study highlights a critical blind spot in current sustainability efforts. While many companies and governments have made commitments to eliminate deforestation from supply chains, few have extended these protections to non-forest ecosystems. This oversight can lead to unintended consequences where forest protection simply displaces agricultural expansion to grasslands, savannas and wetlands.
Positive examples already exist. The Accountability Framework initiative provides guidance for “Deforestation and Conversion-Free” (DCF) commitments that include all natural ecosystems. Nearly 25% of major soy-sourcing companies and 20% of major beef-sourcing companies already have commitments protecting non-forest ecosystems.
Moving Forward: Solutions and Recommendations
The research offers several pathways for addressing this crisis:
- Expand Protection Policies: Extend existing forest protection commitments to include all natural ecosystems
- Improve Monitoring: Continue developing global monitoring systems for non-forest ecosystem loss
- Address Demand Drivers: Consider how policies like biofuel mandates drive ecosystem conversion
- Support Sustainable Intensification: Increase productivity on existing agricultural lands rather than expanding into natural ecosystems
- Consider Trade Implications: Address how international demand drives conversion in producing countries
Conclusion
This groundbreaking research fundamentally changes our understanding of agricultural expansion’s environmental impacts. By revealing that non-forest ecosystem conversion dwarfs forest loss, it challenges the conservation community to expand its focus beyond forests to protect the full range of natural ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.
The path forward requires coordinated action from governments, companies and consumers. Just as the world has begun mobilizing to address deforestation, we must now extend these efforts to protect grasslands, savannas and wetlands. The climate, biodiversity and human well-being depend on it.
As global demand for agricultural commodities continues to grow, the choices we make about how and where to produce food will determine whether we can feed the world while preserving the natural ecosystems that make life possible. This research provides the foundation for making those choices wisely.
References
World Resources Institute. (2025). Agriculture Is Taking Over Grasslands, Wetlands and Other Overlooked Ecosystems. https://www.wri.org/insights/global-ecosystem-conversion-grassland-wetland-savanna-to-agriculture