Eco-hydrological impacts and socio-economic drivers of rangeland degradation due to overgrazing in semi-arid and arid regions: a review

Global rangelands have experienced severe degradation over the past three centuries due to anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Rapid population growth, urbanization, and socioeconomic transformations have driven widespread overgrazing, threatening both ecosystem integrity and the livelihoods of over one billion dependents. Degradation manifests through vegetation shifts, desertification, and productivity declines, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, while climate change intensifies these challenges through altered precipitation patterns and temperature extremes. Key socioeconomic drivers include rising meat demand, pastoral sedentarization, and inadequate land-use policies that prioritize short-term gains over sustainable management. This study provides a systematic evaluation of rangeland degradation through three analytical dimensions: (1) ecohydrological consequences of poor management practices, (2) socioeconomic pressures influencing grazing systems, and (3) identification of critical knowledge gaps in mitigation strategies. Findings reveal that effective solutions require understanding complex interactions between vegetation dynamics, water cycles, and human decision-making processes.The research advocates for integrated multidisciplinary approaches that combine ecological restoration with adaptive governance frameworks. Recommended strategies include developing predictive models for degradation hotspots, implementing incentive-based conservation programs, and bridging scientific and traditional knowledge systems. Such coordinated efforts offer the most promising pathway to enhance rangeland resilience against escalating climatic and anthropogenic pressures while maintaining vital ecosystem services.