Spanning eleven western states and two provinces, sagebrush has been called one of the most imperiled biomes in the world. Loss and degradation of sagebrush has caused corresponding declines in distribution and abundance of sagebrush dependent species.� Numerous petitions to list individual species have been filed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA); listing petitions are often associated with species-specific conservation efforts.� �If current trends in habitat loss and degradation are not reversed, additional petitions, accompanied by additional species-specific conservation efforts, are anticipated.� This species-by-species approach, driven by potential species listings or other �emergencies� is not a sustainable solution to conservation of the sagebrush biome.� A more proactive, holistic, and enduring approach, that links local actions to biome-wide planning and objectives is needed.� �In this approach, human relationships, organizations, and social networks would be marshalled to address ecologically meaningful problems at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales. ��To be successful, these efforts will require a shared understanding of the condition of the sagebrush biome, threats to the biome, and opportunities to restore and conserve the biome.� Additionally, the ability to link biome-wide science and data to local science and data is requisite.� This Session will describe a new approach to managing the sagebrush biome that incorporates these ideas.� Developed by a multi-partner team, the�Science Framework for Conservation and Restoration of the Sagebrush Biome� presents a strategic, multi-scale science framework to target locations for management activities and determine effective management strategies. This new approach is resulting in a paradigm shift in the management of sagebrush ecosystems across the biome and is leading to new partnerships and human arrangements to support this effort.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.