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;Scientists have examined the effects of differential defoliation among rangeland plants at various spatial and temporal scales since the Society was founded. Early efforts examined effects of defoliation on root dynamics and non-structural carbohydrates of individual plants and how different levels of defoliation among neighboring plants affected competitive relations among plants. As science progressed and methods to measure animal grazing patterns and plant responses were refined, some assumptions about plant responses to defoliation and their importance to plant health and community dynamics were modified. We learned about the effects of defoliation and animal selectivity at larger scales that affect watershed function. We also learned more about how animals utilize landscapes, the plants they choose to eat in chosen areas, and how these behaviors can be managed. The scientific evidence does not show that changing grazing patterns using rotational movement of animals across a landscape has no advantages over continuous grazing. Instead, it shows that grazing "systems" that do not correctly change how animals use plants and landscapes or do not correctly adjust to changes in plant growth, relative palatability, and animal selectivity are likely to be no more successful than continuous grazing. However, there are at least ten scientifically-based guidelines for strategic, adaptive management of grazing for desired goals. Every ranch has unique goals, resources, constraints and natural ranges in environmental variability requiring a context specific, adaptive management strategy. By using these insights to correctly adapt management to changing conditions, scientifically sound strategies can be implemented that help land managers regenerate landscapes, improve livestock performance and profitability.