Get reliable rangeland science

Arid and semi-arid rangelands are characterized by high variability in seasonal and annual weather patterns, topography and soils. This variability significantly complicates restoration scenarios on rangelands that have been disturbed by frequent wildfire and introduced annual weeds. Prescriptive restoration practices designed to optimize site favorability are inadequate in the majority of years due to weather constraints. Restoration scenarios that focus on single-year intervention may also yield short-term or partial success that doesn't meet longer term objectives for establishment of diverse and resilient plant communities. Published restoration science is biased toward favorable weather conditions and should be interpreted in the context of longer-term site variability. Development of economically efficient and sustainable restoration in this environment will require long-term, ecologically based adaptive management planning and implementation, and strategic use of weather, climate and forecasting technology. Short term resources for fuels-reduction and post-fire stabilization and rehabilitation should be leveraged with longer-term restoration planning that includes contingencies for alternative weather conditions. Emerging technologies for site and application-specific seasonal forecasting may significantly enhance the economic efficiency of restoration practices on western rangelands.