Grassland ecosystems occupy from 20% to 40% of the earths land area (depending on definition of grassland) and provide a livelihood for about 800 million people through the production of various goods and services.Grasslands occur in semiarid regions that are often unsuitable for farming.Red meat production is most commonly associated with grasslands but they also yield water, recreation and genetic resources.More recently, their contribution to carbon sequestration and critical habitat for threatened and endangered species has been recognized.Therefore, grasslands impact the lives of societies throughout the world.However, overgrazing greatly reduces those benefits and may lead to desertification and the threat of dust storms.The cause of overgrazing is primarily too many animals but the motivation to reduce their numbers is impeded by cultural traditions and the desire to reduce risk.However, with appropriate management, livestock grazing is compatible with other values and can be sustained.Examples from Canada and China will be discussed to illustrate the contribution of grasslands to the production of goods and services and describe how grazing can be used as a tool to enhance this ecosystem.