» wide open spaces | four grasslands ~aratirao | ficusmedia

wide open spaces | four grasslands

four grasslands across three continents – each beautiful, vast, delicate, vulnerable and fragile.

grasslands are found in temperate and tropical regions and once covered almost a quarter of the landmass on earth. the soil in grasslands is rich and deep and they support a huge number of creatures big and small that are vital to the survival of the ecosystem. moreover, grasslands support some of the most important watersheds around the world.

the nature of the soil and the relatively flat land has rendered grasslands extremely vulnerable — with large tracts converted into farmland. bad farming practices have left dustbowls in their wake and precious few grasslands are left pristine today. the destruction of grassland habitats have widely affected the breeding of birds, insect populations and animals they support — in addition to important watersheds that are rendered drained or contaminated.

All photos taken by Arati Rao in 2009-10. Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike License

High grasslands of the Altiplano in the Peruvian Andes. This is one of the most altered habitats in the Andes

The altiplano is accessed by road and rail and is @ 4000m +/-

Overgrazing by livestock and farming has degraded the natural grasses in this region

Once wild herds, alpacas (seen here) and llamas are now all domesticated. Guanacos and Vicuñas are the last remaining wild camelids. the latter protected by law, as they were once severely endangered, are the national animal of Peru

Altiplano, Peru

The mosaic of farms in the Laikipia district of Central/North Kenya. Once open grasslands, these were vital elephant corridors. Widespread cereal farming has resulted in a severely fragmented elephant habitat leading to increased human-elephant conflict.

Laikipia district, Kenya

traditionally pastoralists, now Maasai grassland has been converted into farms and the Maasais have put down roots against their instincts. Reports are that they are unsuccessful farmers and often suffer huge losses.