What is Range? Unit 4: Rangelands, Forests, & Fire

Which of these are rangeland?  Deserts?  Tundra?  Wetlands?  Savannas?  Shrublands?  Grasslands?

Which of these are rangeland?  Deserts?  Tundra?  Wetlands?  Savannas?  Shrublands?  Forests  Grasslands?  All deserts except barren deserts  All tundra  Vegetation around wetlands  All savannas  All shrublands  Only open forests  All grasslands

What is rangeland?  Uncultivated land dominated by native plants: Grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs. All land that is not farmland, dense forest, barren desert or land covered by solid rock, concrete, or glaciers

How much of the earth’s surface is rangeland? 25% = Dense Forest 10% = Cropland 3% = Urban 15% = Ice, rock, and barren desert 47% = Rangeland

How much rangeland in Oregon? 47% of the EARTH is rangeland 36% of the US is rangeland 53% of Western States is rangeland Less than 1% of Oregon is rangeland

Types and Categories of Range Plants Rangelands, Forests, & Fire

Students will be able to… 1. Categorize plants according to: growth form life span season of growth origin forage value

Growth Forms of Rangeland Plants  4 major growth forms: Grasses Grass-like Forbs Shrubs

Grasses  Most important and abundant Cover more than 1/5 th of the earth’s land surface  Jointed stems (Bamboo)  Stems are hollow between the joints (nodes)  Leaves are in 2 rows along the stem  Veins in the leaves are parallel

Grass-like Plants  Look like grasses but have solid stems without joints  Stems are often triangular  Veins in the leaves are parallel  Includes sedges and rushes

Forbs  Herbaceous plants  Broad leaves and showy flowers  Above-ground growth dies back each year  Net veins although some forbs have parallel veins  Range wildflowers and weeds

Shrubs  Woody plants with several main stems  Usually have broad leaves

Assignment

Life Span  Length of time from the beginning of development to death of the plant Annuals – live for one growing season  Winter annuals  Summer annuals Biennials – live for two growing seasons Perennials – live from one year to the next

Winter Annuals Summer Fall Winter Spring germinate dormant produce seed plant dies

Summer Annuals Summer Fall Winter Spring produce seed plant dies germinate grow

Biennials Summer & Fall Summer Spring Winter germinate go dormant produce rosette & developed roots plant dies produce seed produce flowering stalk

Perennials Cycle continues until plant eventually dies 1 st Spring 1 st Summer 1 st Fall 1 st Winter 2 nd Spring Summer Fall Winter build up root reserves go dormant new plant from root go dormant produce seed flower germinate flower produce seed build up root reserves

Season of Growth  Cool Season Make most growth in cool weather of spring and fall Flower mostly in early summer Provide spring/fall forage at lower elevations and summer forage at high elevations Adapted to cool, wet conditions

Season of Growth  Warm Season Make most growth in warm summer periods Flower from mid-summer to early fall Provide forage in summer months Adapted to hotter, drier conditions

Origin  Area where the plant evolved Native plants – originated in North America Introduced plants – Intentionally or accidentally brought to North America Invasive Species (Noxious Weeds) – weeds that have been specifically identified as “noxious” by state law  273 Noxious Weeds in Oregon

Forage Value  How well a plant provides nutrients to grazing animals High – plants that are nutritious, palatable, and produce abundant forage Medium – plants that provide adequate nutrition if eaten Low – plants that do not provide adequate nutrients Poisonous - contain natural plant compounds that are toxic or poisonous to herbivores

Assignment