Seas of Grass

Explores the complex relationship between the degradation of the world's grasslands and poverty, disease and loss of habitat. Locations include:

Argentina : The Pampas, a vast prairie in southern South America, is an example of the link between environmental degradation and unsustainable growth as ranchers convert their cattle grazing operations into more profitable farmland.

Mongolia : Mining, oil exploration and the infrastructure needed to service these industries threatens these precious grazing lands of the Steppes.

Kenya : In the Rift Valley, much of the savannas have been subjected to 80 years of topsoil erosion on a huge scale.

United States : Agricultural conversion of the Great Plains during the last hundred and fifty years has seen the erosion of half of the original topsoil the pioneers originally viewed as a priceless treasure.

Topics covered: burning, livestock grazing, reduction in species diversity and the conversion of grassland to farmland or desert.

Learn more about this episode of Journey to Planet Earth and watch video exerpts on PBS.org/journeytoplanetearth.