Grassland ecosystems of Tajikistan: Plant species diversity, ecological restoration, and sustainable management

ABSTRACT: Livestock farming is a critical pillar of Tajikistan’s national economy and livelihood security. However, significant economic challenges in the country have led to the degradation of grassland ecosystems. This degradation has not only reduced the productivity of grassland ecosystems but also severely impacted their ecological functions. A particularly concerning consequence is the threat to biodiversity, as the survival and persistence of endemic, rare, and endangered plant species are at serious risk, thereby diminishing the value of species’ genetic resources. Based on the data from multiple sources such as literature reviews, field observations, and national statistics, this study employed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to investigate the current status, causes of degradation, and restoration measures for grassland ecosystems in Tajikistan. The results revealed that Tajikistan’s grassland ecosystems support exceptionally high plant species diversity, comprising over 4500 vascular plant species, including nearly 1500 endemic and sub-endemic taxa that constitute a unique genetic reservoir. These ecosystems are experiencing severe degradation, characterized by significantly reduced vegetation cover and declining species richness. Palatable forage species are increasingly being displaced by unpalatable, thorny, and poisonous species. The primary drivers of degradation include excessive grazing pressure, which disrupts plant reproductive cycles and regeneration capacity, habitat fragmentation due to urbanization and infrastructure development, and uncontrolled exploitation of medicinal and edible plants. Climate change, particularly rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, further exacerbates these anthropogenic pressures. Ecological restoration experiments suggested that both ecosystem productivity and plant species diversity are significantly enhanced by systematic reseeding trials using altitude-adapted native species. These findings underscore the necessity of establishing scientifically grounded approaches for ecological restoration.