In Japan, scientists look to the past to save the future of grasslands
by Marlowe Starling on 8 March 2021
Ecologists in Japan recorded several rare and endangered plant species in old grasslands that are not present in younger ones, mirroring findings from other continents that highlight the rich biodiversity of these landscapes.
Grasslands face growing threats from humans on a global scale, especially land use change like agriculture and urban growth.
But some human interventions have had a beneficial effect on biodiversity conservation in Japan, such as the maintenance of ski runs, which provide a safe haven for many of the plant species and pollinators that keep grassland ecosystems healthy.