Challenges and innovations for grasslands resilience

Grassland systems face a complex array of challenges, including climate change, rural land abandonment, conflicting land-use demands (such as agroforestry, energy production, and rewilding), increased wildfire risks from pasture loss and grazing abandonment, biodiversity decline, soil and water conflicts, shifts in dietary protein demand in Europe, changes in livestock rearing and plant breeding, and rising geopolitical instability. Despite these pressures, scientific and technical innovations, adaptive management practices, and new technological tools—often supported by targeted public policies—offer promising strategies and new opportunities to enhance grassland sustainability.

1. Climate change and grasslands, soil and water management

This may include but is not restricted to:

• Impacts of Climate Change on Grasslands Across Europe
• Grasslands’ Ability to Adapt to Climate Change
• Carbon Sequestration in Grasslands to Mitigate Climate Change
• Soil, Water, Cropping Practices and Grazing Management for Grassland Stability
• New Technologies for Grassland Development and Resilience

2. Agroforestry, pastoralism and society

This may include but is not restricted to:

• The Role of Grasslands in the Sustainability of Agroforestry Farms
• Synergies Among Grasslands, Shrubs, Trees, and Livestock in Agroforestry Systems
• Practices to Prevent Degradation in Agroforestry Systems
• Grazing and Pastoralism: Meeting Societal Demands
• The Contemporary Role of Pastoralism
• Pastoralism and Emerging Technologies
• Pastoralism: Balancing Farmers’ Wellbeing, Consumer Expectations, Animal Welfare, and Biodiversity

3. Breeding for new challenges 

This may include but is not restricted to:

• Incorporation of New Plant Species in Farming Systems
• Plant Breeding Strategies in Response to Shifting Weather Patterns
• Plant Breeding Strategies to Reduce Methane Emissions
• Plant Genetic Traits and Their Role in Reducing Grazing Emissions
• Leveraging Animal Genetic Diversity to Tackle New Grassland Challenges

4. Sustainable livestock production systems based on grasslands: Challenges and opportunities (EAAP)

This may include but is not restricted to:

• Grassland-based site adapted management
• Ecosystem services provided by grasslands use by livestock
• Protein self-sufficiency of ruminant and monogastric production systems
• Precision livestock farming
• Grassland-based animal product quality and labelling

5. Grasslands and rural land policy tools to face global challenges

• Policy Tools for Adapting Pasture Functions
• Eco-Schemes and Rural Development Programs in Response to Pasture Loss
• Addressing Emerging Challenges through Grassland Public Policies
• Building Resilience: Policies as Buffers Against Future Shocks
• Fostering the Role of Pastures in the Stability of Agricultural Systems