Sub-Himalayan Grasslands: Ecology, Conservation, and Management in South Asia

Grassland ecosystems are threatened worldwide by natural and man-made afforestation, in addition to other global threats affecting other systems such as climate and land use change. Among these ecosystems, sub-Himalayan grasslands form a narrow but highly productive ecological belt along the Himalayan foothills. These systems are shaped by periodic flooding, sediment deposition, fire, and grazing, resulting in heterogeneous habitats that support high biodiversity. Despite their ecological importance, these grasslands remain understudied compared to forest ecosystems. Recent research has highlighted significant declines in grassland extent and quality due to anthropogenic pressures such as agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, and resource extraction. Additionally, ecological processes like invasive species spread and woody succession are altering vegetation structure and reducing habitat suitability for specialist fauna. At the same time, natural processes such as riverine dynamics continue to create new habitats, presenting both challenges and opportunities for conservation. Understanding these coupled ecological and socio-environmental dynamics is critical for effective management.The primary goal of this Research Topic is to address the accelerating decline and transformation of Sub-Himalayan grassland ecosystems by consolidating current scientific knowledge and management practices. The Topic seeks to identify key ecological drivers such as invasive species, woody encroachment, altered disturbance regimes, and land-use change, while also highlighting opportunities for habitat restoration and conservation planning. By fostering contributions that bridge ecological theory and applied management, the collection aims to provide actionable insights for conservation practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. Ultimately, the goal is to promote sustainable grassland management strategies that enhance biodiversity persistence, ecosystem resilience, and landscape connectivity across South Asia - and provide examples from this ecosystems that can be extended to other grassland systems worldwide. This Research Topic invites original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and case studies focusing on Sub-Himalayan grassland ecosystems. The scope includes, but is not limited to: - Grassland ecology and vegetation dynamics- Invasive species management and ecological impacts- Woody encroachment and succession processes- Fire ecology and grazing interactions- Habitat restoration and rewilding approaches- Wildlife ecology of grassland-dependent species- Landscape ecology and habitat connectivity- Riverine dynamics and geomorphological processes- Climate change impacts on grassland systems- Socio-ecological and community-based conservation approaches Studies integrating field-based data, remote sensing, modeling, and applied conservation frameworks are particularly encouraged. Contributions from across South Asia and comparable ecosystems globally are welcome. Topic editors: Bibhuti Lahkar, Dhritiman Das, Dr. Debakumar Dutta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81592/sub-himalayan-grasslands-ecology-conservation-and-management-in-south-asia