Conditions and changing capacity. People worldwide rely on grasslands for hiking, hunting, fishing, and religious or cultural activities. The economic value of recreation and tourism can be high in some grasslands, especially from safari tours and hunting. Some 667 protected areas worldwide include at least 50 percent grasslands. Nonetheless, as they are modified by agriculture, unbanization, and human-induced fires, grasslands are likely to lose some capacity to sustain recreation services.

Data quality. Regional information evaluates the exploitation of grassland wildlife but summaries are based primarily on expert opinion. Global country-level expenditures on international tourism provide estimates for all types of tourism but cannot be related specifically to grasslands. Regional data for tourism and safari hunting are good for some areas but rarely report long-term trends.