ClimateAugust 16, 2026
overgrazing
oh-ver-GRAY-zing
Definition
The practice of allowing livestock to graze on a specific area of land so heavily that it damages the vegetation and prevents the ground cover from recovering.
Etymology
The word is a compound of the prefix 'over-', meaning 'excessive,' and the verb 'graze,' which comes from the Old English 'gras' (grass). It has been used in agricultural and ecological contexts since the 19th century to describe the depletion of pasture land.
In the news
The article lists overgrazing as a primary human activity that contributes to land degradation and desertification in fragile ecosystems.
COP17 in Mongolia: Why a lesser-known UN summit matters for land, water and food
Read the full article ↗Anadolu Ajansı