Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands

Rangelands of the United States provide ecosystem services that benefit society and rural economies. Native tree encroachment is often overlooked as a primary threat to rangelands due slow pace cover expansion positive public perception trees. Still, fragments these landscapes reduces herbaceous production, thereby threatening habitat quality for grassland wildlife economic sustainability animal agriculture. Recent innovations in satellite remote sensing permit tracking corresponding impact on production. We analysed change production across western from 1990 2019. show widespread US rangelands; absolute has increased by 50% (77,323 km2) over 30 years, with more than 25% (684,852 rangeland area experiencing expansion. Since 1990, 302 ± Tg biomass have been lost. Accounting variability livestock utilization forage value reveals this lost valued at between $4.1–$5.6 billion dollars. Synthesis applications. The magnitude loss similar conversion cropland, another well-known mechanism Prioritizing conservation efforts prevent can bolster sustainability, particularly among privately-owned lands threatened land-use conversion.