Wild Open Spaces of the West Rangeland Ecology & Management University of Idaho Dr. Karen

Wild Open Spaces of the West zWhat is rangeland? zHow much rangeland? zWho owns rangeland? zWhat is rangeland good for? yMultiple uses of rangeland zWhat is range management? yTools of range management

What is Rangeland? zDeserts zTundra zWetlands zSavannas zShrublands zForests zGrasslands Which of these are rangeland?

What is Rangeland? zDeserts? zTundra? zWetlands? zSavannas? zShrublands? zForests? zGrasslands? zForage pasture? z All deserts except barren deserts z All tundra z Vegetation around wetlands z All savannas z All shrublands z Only open forests z All grasslands z Not highly managed pastures

What is Rangeland? zRangeland is uncultivated land dominated by native plants: grasses, herbaceous broad-leaved plants (forbs) and shrubs. zRangeland is all land that is not farmland, dense forest, barren desert or land covered by solid rock, concrete, or glaciers. zRangeland includes: grasslands, shrublands, savannas, and open woodlands. zAre all rangelands grazed? yGrazing as an important ecological process in all rangeland, but not all rangelands are grazed by livestock.

zForest? zCropland? zUrban? zIce, rock & barren desert? zRangeland? How much of the earth’s surface is rangeland? How much rangeland is there? 25% 10% 3% 15% 47%

How much rangeland is there? 44% of Idaho is rangeland 47% of the Earth is rangeland 36% of the US is rangeland 53% of Western States is rangeland

Who owns rangeland? zIn Idaho, 66% of all rangeland is “Public Land”. z“Public land” is owned and managed by federal and state governments for the good of the public. zIn Idaho, the most important land management agencies are the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Idaho Department of Lands. zGrazing on private lands is wholly integrated with public grazing lands. yLivestock grazing occurs on 95% of BLM land yand, 58% of U.S. Forest Service lands. y88% of all beef cows in Idaho graze at least part of each year on BLM or USFS lands.

zLivestock production zWildlife habitat zWater zMinerals (oil, coal, sulfur) zNative plant products zRecreation zOpen space zWestern heritage List 5 uses or services rangeland provides? What is rangeland good for?

zLivestock Production yRangeland & pastureland in the 19 western states are home to 58% of all beef cattle in the US. yWestern rangelands also harbor 79% of sheep and 88% of goats in the US. yLivestock production on rangeland is very important to supply meat for American and World populations and also for leather, wool, mohair, and other products that livestock yield. What is rangeland good for?

zLivestock grazing occurs on 65% of Idaho’s total land area and in every county throughout the state zRange livestock production is Idaho’s major agricultural activity in terms of land used and cash receipts What is rangeland good for?

zWildlife Habitat yRangelands provide habitat for countless mammals, birds, amphibians, fishes, and insects. yOf the total number of animal species found in the United States x84% of the mammals, x74% of the birds, x58% of the amphibians and x38% of the fishes are represented in rangeland ecosystems.

Range Wildlife Include: zRuminants are animals such as deer, elk, and moose that have specialized digestive systems to digest the cellulose abundant in the cell walls of rangeland plants zRodents and Rabbits also have digestive systems that allow them to get energy out of cellulose zConcentrate-selectors are animals such as birds & bears that find an adequate diet on rangeland by carefully selecting berries, seeds, or roots low in cellulose

What is rangeland good for? zWater yThe Western United States has a much drier climate than the Eastern U.S.... water is doubly precious to the 30% of the U.S. population that lives in the West yMost of the water in the streams and river of Idaho fell initially on rangeland or forests. Therefore, proper management of rangeland requires careful attention to the amount & quality of water that flows off rangeland

What is rangeland good for?  Recreation Rangelands are increasingly important for recreational uses such as: yHiking yHunting yCamping yMountain biking yCross-country skiing ySnowmobiling zMany national parks are located on rangelands

What is rangeland good for?  Open Space yPeople in the west value open space yLivestock ranches are becoming “working wilderness” to maintain biodiversity and wildlife habitat quality yEnvironmentally concerned citizens have paid ranchers to maintain open space through scenic easements zWestern Heritage yRanching is important to maintain the “Western Image”

Multiple Use zBecause rangelands have many important uses, most rangelands are managed under principles of multiple- use zSeveral uses or values of rangeland are managed simultaneously with care to avoid overuse or destruction of natural resources.

What is range management? zRange Management is the careful use and management of rangeland resources (plants, animals, soil, and water) to meet the needs and desires of society without damaging the resource. zThe tricky part is that the “needs and desires of society” are continually changing. zLivestock production has always been important but, greater management emphasis is now being placed on wildlife management, recreation, & water production The term that best describes range management is: INTEGRATED

Tools of range management? zFences can be placed to control how a pasture is grazed and provide seasons or years of rest from grazing zThe number of livestock can be increased or decreased to meet management objectives. Very heavy grazing may be required for some needs (e.g., weed control or water harvest) and light grazing is necessary for other purposes (e.g., improved water quality or forage for elk) The proper use of rangeland is accomplished by several simple tools that must be continually monitored and adjusted.

Tools of range management? zThe species of livestock to be grazed must be carefully selected because each species differs in the diet they select. yFor example, cows generally prefer grasses, goats consume mostly shrubs, and sheep eat mixed diets of grasses, browse and forbs zAnd, different species of livestock also differ in type of terrain they use. y For example, sheep can graze steeper slopes than cattle

zInvasion of weeds on rangelands is a growing problem. Range managers often need to use weed control practices (such as fire, grazing, or herbicides) to reduce the growth of weeds and allow native plants to grow. zFire is a natural force in nearly all rangeland ecosystems. For healthy rangelands, fires are often carefully set and controlled (by prescribed burning techniques). For example, in Southern Idaho, fire is often used to control the spread of sagebrush and encourage the growth of productive grasses. Tools of range management?

What do range managers do?

What do range managers study? zSoil morphology zPlant growth & development zPlant identification zPlant community ecology zAnimal nutrition zWildlife management zWatershed management zRiparian ecology The Basics:

What do range managers study? zVegetation assessment & monitoring zGrazing management zFire ecology & prescriptions zRestoration techniques zWeed control zGeographic Information Systems The Tools:

What range classes should students interested in range consider? zRange Principles of range management zRange Range plant identification & ecology zRange Natural history of rangelands zRange Integrated rangeland management zRange Rangeland weed management zRange Foraging behavior of rangeland herbivores.