Insights on global rangeland ecosystem services shaped by grazing and fertilization
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2026
Abstract
Rangelands are crucial to human well-being, but their ability to provide ecosystem services is threatened. We (1) quantified key ecosystem services provided by rangelands, (2) assessed short- and long-term impacts of fertilization (nutrient addition) and the exclusion of large grazing herbivores with fences (herbivore exclusion) on services, and (3) identified synergies and trade-offs among services. We measured indicators of ecosystem services and plant diversity at 79 sites across six continents in the global Nutrient Network. Short-term herbivore exclusion increased forage quantity and soil fertility, but longer-term herbivore exclusion decreased both along with plant richness and pollination. Nutrient addition improved forage provisioning, soil stability, climate regulation, and control of soil erosion but lowered plant diversity and impeded delivery of related services, especially after prolonged application. We found synergies between plant diversity and pollination, as well as between soil fertility, soil stability, and climate regulation. Trade-offs between forage stability and quality persisted after nutrient addition but disappeared with herbivore exclusion. Our results suggest that alternative management actions may sustain livestock production while maintaining rangeland ecosystem services.
Publication Title
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Recommended Citation
Yahdjian, L.,
Campana, S.,
Tognetti, P.,
Alberti, J.,
Graff, P.,
Molina, C.,
Borer, E.,
Seabloom, E.,
Prober, S.,
MacDougall, A.,
Risch, A.,
Price, J.,
Power, S.,
Barrio, I.,
Hersch-Green, E.,
Fay, P.,
Bagchi, S.,
Bakker, J.,
Blumenthal, D.,
Boughton, E.,
Brown, C.,
Bugalho, M.,
Cadotte, M.,
Caldeira, M.,
Catford, J.,
Carbutt, C.,
Chen, Q.,
Collins, S.,
Crowther, T.,
D’Antonio, C.,
&
Dickman, C.
(2026).
Insights on global rangeland ecosystem services shaped by grazing and fertilization.
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
http://doi.org/10.1002/fee.70022
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p2/2350