Values of Rangelands
Define multiple use Identify and discuss the benefits
and uses of rangeland
Objectives
Multiple Use Because rangelands have many important uses, most
rangelands are managed under principles of multiple-use
Several uses or values of rangeland are managed simultaneously with care to avoid overuse or destruction of natural resources.
List 5 goods or services rangeland provides?
Why are rangelands important?Many goods and services
Forage
Recreation
Livestock Production
Open Space
Native Plants
Water
Wildlife Habitat
Why are rangelands important?
Energy Minerals
Rangeland & pastureland in the 19 western states are home to 58% of all beef cattle in the US.
Western rangelands also harbor 79% of sheep and 88% of goats in the US.
Livestock production on rangeland is very important to supply meat for American and World populations and also for leather, wool, mohair, and other products that livestock yield.
Livestock Production
Livestock grazing occurs on 65% of Idaho’s total land area and in every county throughout the state
Range livestock production is Idaho’s major agricultural activity in terms of land used and cash receipts
Livestock Production
Wildlife Habitat Rangelands provide habitat for
countless mammals, birds, amphibians, fishes, and insects.
Of the total number of animal species found in the United States 84% of the mammals, 74% of the birds, 58% of the amphibians and 38% of the fishes are represented in
rangeland ecosystems.
Range Wildlife Include: Ruminants such as deer, elk, and moose that have
specialized digestive systems to digest the cellulose in the cell walls of rangeland plants
Rodents and Rabbits also have digestive systems that allow them to get energy out of cellulose
Concentrate-selectors are animals such as birds & bears that find an adequate diet on rangeland by carefully selecting berries, seeds, or roots low in cellulose.
Insects - Can be generalist foragers or have very specific diet selection.
Water The Western United States has a much drier
climate than the Eastern U.S. ... water is doubly precious to the 30% of the U.S. population that lives in the West
Most of the water in the streams and river of Idaho fell initially on rangeland or forests. Therefore, proper management of rangeland requires careful attention to the amount & quality of water that flows off rangeland
RecreationRangelands are increasingly important for
recreational uses such as: Hiking Hunting Camping Mountain biking Cross-country skiing Snowmobiling
Many national parks are located on rangelands
Renewable Energy Sources are becoming increasingly
important to society Wind Solar Geothermal Biomass and bioenergy
USDI-BLM Photo
USDI-BLM Photo
Minerals and Mining Some of our most basic natural resources are
mined from rangelands Sand, gravel, dirt, and rock are basic materials for
construction and building Coal and oil shale mining
provides resources to heat and power our society
USDI-BLM Photo
Minerals Wide array of mineral resources
Gold in north, central and southern Idaho Silver, lead and zinc in the north Molybdenum and cobalt in central Idaho Phosphate in southeast Idaho
UI Special Collections
BLM/Idaho
Native Plant Products Eating Wild! Natural medicines
Echinacea St. Johnswort
A variety of wild foods Camas Huckleberries PinenutsWilliam & Wilma Follette @
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Open Space People in the west value open space. Livestock ranches are becoming “working
wilderness” to maintain biodiversity and wildlife habitat quality.
Environmentally concerned citizens have paid ranchers to maintain open space through scenic easements.
K. Launchbaugh
Western Heritage Ranching is important to maintain the
“Western Image” Legacy and heritage for Native America
Tribes “Brand” of the west
Expansion Settlement Tough western spirit
S. McFarland
Who owns rangeland?
Who owns rangeland? “Public Land” is owned and managed by
federal and state governments for the good of the public.
Most significant land management agencies are the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Idaho Department of Lands.
Who owns rangeland? Grazing on private lands is wholly integrated
with public grazing lands. Livestock grazing occurs on:
95% of BLM land 58% of U.S. Forest Service lands
88% of all beef cows in Idaho graze at least part of each year on BLM or USFS lands.
Forage
Recreation
Livestock Production
Open Space
Native Plants
Water
Wildlife Habitat
Why are rangelands important?
Energy Minerals