Ranching is the dominant land use in much of the American West. Although a copious literature has examined the effects of various grazing practices on native ecosystems, Freilich et al. present that ranching has important impacts on the land independent of those caused by grazing itself. Freilich et al. point out that there are better ways to ranch, and progressive ideas based on a fuller understanding of ranching's impacts should be encouraged in the ranching community. The importance of range scientists learning more about the differences between ranched lands and protected areas is stressed. Above all, ranch managers and conservation biologists should consider the six points (1."problem" animals, 2. truncation of the food web, 3. fencing, roads, and fragmentation, 4. exotic weeds and the poisons used to control them, 5. alteration of fire regimes, and 6. impacts to water supplies and riparian areas) Freilich et al. have raised as they contemplate today's landscape. These points raise serious questions about whether conventional ranching is compatible with long-term biological conservation. To help enlightened ranchers better manage their lands and help public lands managers decide whether or not to allow grazing on the lands in their care, all the effects of ranching need to be considered.
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.