Cited by 603Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesConservation, Biodiversity, and Resource ManagementLand Use and Ecosystem Services

Tropical grassy biomes: misunderstood, neglected, and under threat

Parr, Catherine L., Lehmann, Caroline E.R., Bond, William J., Hoffmann, William A., Andersen, Alan N.·2014·Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Abstract

Tropical grassy biomes (TGBs) are globally extensive, provide critical ecosystem services, and influence the earth-atmosphere system. Yet, globally applied biome definitions ignore vegetation characteristics that are critical to their functioning and evolutionary history. Hence, TGB identification is inconsistent and misinterprets the ecological processes governing vegetation structure, with cascading negative consequences for biodiversity. Here, we discuss threats linked to the definition of TGB, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation schemes (REDD+), and enhanced atmospheric CO2, which may facilitate future state shifts. TGB degradation is insidious and less visible than in forested biomes. With human reliance on TGBs and their propensity for woody change, ecology and evolutionary history are fundamental to not only the identification of TGBs, but also their management for future persistence.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.tree.2014.02.004

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  • Absence of fire can reduce plant diversity in certain ecosystems.

    “Thus, an absence of fire can reduce plant diversity in certain ecosystems (Abreu et al., 2017;Parr, Lehmann, Bond, Hoffmann, & Andersen, 2014).”

    From Fire as a fundamental ecological process: Research advances and frontiers (2020) · cites this paper as Parr et al., 2014

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Authors
Parr, C. L., Lehmann, C. E. R., Bond, W. J., Hoffmann, W. A., & Andersen, A. N.
Affiliations
  • University of Liverpool (GB)
  • University of Edinburgh (GB)
  • University of Cape Town (ZA)
  • North Carolina State University (US)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
Corresponding author
Parr, Catherine L.
Venue
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-04
Volume
29
Issue
4
Pages
205-213
ISSN
0169-5347 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2075665434
Cited by
603
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 55 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 53 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 50 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 1
FWCI
3.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Trends in Ecology & Evolution (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
Keywords
shrub encroachment, Clean Development Mechanism, REDD+, climate change impacts, ecosystem services, vegetation structure, state shifts, grassland degradation
MeSH terms
Carbon Dioxide, Conservation of Natural Resources, Poaceae, Tropical Climate, Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Forests

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