Between 1990 and 2010, the area of forest used for environmental protection has grown four-fold (Table 2.3). The increase in forest cover is estimated to have absorbed almost 100 million tonnes of carbon per year between 2000 and 2010. The conversion of grasslands into agricultural land appears to be continuing, which could have adverse long-term consequences as soil erosion is likely to increase and, eventually, when soil nutrients are exhausted the land is at risk of desertification.