RNR 1001 Chapter : RNR 1001 Spr 10 Wk9
Document Summary
Problems include: ecosystems with less water than forests, so trees do not grow. Grasslands cover about 26% of the world"s land surface. 10% of grasslands are classified as rangelands, which are used to graze livestock. 25% of rangeland is in developing countries, can be cleared forest or abandon cropland. 80% of the annual production of beef and mutton is on rangeland. It is extremely important in grain poor nations where growing grasses to raise domestic animals increases their protein sources. Degraded rangeland: 680 million ha worldwide and increasing (ha hectare, metric 1 ha = 2. 47 acres) 10 billion domesticated animals worldwide, 30% are ruminants giraffe, camel, and buffalo. Of the world domesticated ruminants feed on rangelands, the rest are fed on feedlots. 200 million people graze livestock on rangelands, 85% in asia and africa. The united states has >5% of the world"s population, 9% of the world"s cattle, and livestock graze >33% of the united states.