Aims Eurasian forest‐steppes are among the most complex non‐tropical terrestrial
ecosystems. Despite their considerable scientific, ecological and economic importance …

Zoochory is an ecologically and evolutionarily important seed dispersal type. The decline
and extinction of seed-dispersing large herbivores severely threatens dispersal-driven …

The Palaearctic steppes range from the Mediterranean basin towards China, forming one of
the largest continuous terrestrial biomes. The literature on steppe ecology and conservation …

Disturbance by biomass removal is a crucial mechanism maintaining the diversity of
Palaearctic grasslands, which are unique biodiversity hotspots. The century-long traditional …

Grasslands are globally threatened and their biodiversity, including grassland birds, is
declining markedly. To inform grassland bird conservation globally, we systematically …

Temperate grasslands are globally widespread, play an important role as carbon storage,
and harbor unique biodiversity. Livestock grazing is the most widespread land use in …

This book begins with a brief account of the extraordinary sequence of events that led to
emergence of grasslands as major vegetation formations that now occupy some of the driest …

Fire is an important disturbance in grassland ecosystems. Anthropogenic factors, especially
land use, have drastically altered fire regimes in many regions, but how changing land-use …

Aim Large and ecologically functioning steppe complexes have been lost historically across
the globe, but recent land‐use changes may allow the reversal of this trend in some regions …

Abstract The Republic of Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia, has experienced many years
of environmental degradation, largely as a result of the poor management of its significant …