According to Platts, the overgrazing of the late 1800s and early 1900s basically destroyed the natural vegetation communities of the Western range. Major efforts to improve range conditions came with the passage of the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934. Upland ranges are generally in much better condition today than they were at the turn of the century, or even 30 years ago. It is the riparian areas that remain in badly deteriorated condition, brought on by overgrazing more than a century ago. The need for a distinction is obvious. Streams and riparian areas are the most productive portions of Western rangelands. A successful grazing strategy protects streams already in good condition and restores those in poor conditions. The most promising grazing strategies incorporate one or more of the following features: include the riparian area within a separate pasture with separate management objectives and strategies, fence or herd livestock out of riparian areas for as long as needed to allow vegetation and streambanks to recover, add more pasture rest to the grazing cycle, and more. There are many examples of successful grazing operations. One is the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Increased interest, and the knowledge now available about alternative grazing systems, gives land managers and livestock owners a unique opportunity to seek cooperative solutions to a common problem-the protection of riparian areas on public and private rangelands.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.