PERSPECTIVES ON RANGELAND ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Resumen

This paper reviews changes in rangeland ecology and management in the U.S.A. over the last 65 years and speculates on future changes. Emphasis has shifted from livestock management to ecological and environmental concerns, hence "rangeland ecology." The term "range management" may have outlived its usefulness and may also be detrimental to our image. The vision that we have of ourselves is not the same as others have of us. Many members of the Society for Range Management (SRM) and most of our interested non-member public believe that SRM emphasizes the livestock industry. However, the SRM objectives clearly focus on understanding ecosystem processes, environmental conservation, and above all care of rangeland resources. Other relatively small natural resources societies have similar identity problems. The time has arrived for a commission representing the natural resources specialties to examine the possibilities of present societies associating to enlarge memberships, reduce costs, and revise their approach to rangeland ecosystems.

In the 1930's range research concentrated on pasture size experiments with two objectives; testing the deferred rotation system to improve production and defining the carrying capacity in animal units. The experiments ended with World War II without finite answers to either objective, but with much learned about the effects of grazing on vegetation. Presently and in the future, pasture-size research will be restricted in favor of research on ecosystem processes, hopefully part of it in field settings.

In the university curricula, more emphasis is needed on education and less on the training of technicians. Graduates, in my mind, must be able to recognize and understand the field evidence of vegetational changes and processes. Reduction of field experience in university curricula is a mistake.

Rangeland analyses and practices have progressed during the 1900's. For example, rangeland inventory and analysis changed from a foot and compass survey to the use of aerial photographs and presently to Geographic Information techniques. First objectives of the inventories were to determine stocking rates. Evaluation of range condition and analysis of environmental impact became prominent after 1945. Survey of plant and range utilization have failed in attempts to determine proper use.

Crusades characterize rangeland practices. One is the march of seasonal grazing systems from deferred-rotation, to rest-rotation, to short-grazing/long-rest rotation, to the realization that good management can make any system work. Another crusade started with livestock as a single land use to the environmentalist jingle of "take all the cattle off." Along the way mechanical and chemical applications on shrublands nearly disappeared and exotic plants were replaced by native species in seeding mixtures.

Myths in rangeland professionalism are widely held generalities, that are not correct in all situations. Examples include good range management for livestock is good for wildlife, take half and leave half, native species are better than aliens, and rangeland improvements are permanent.

Our rich history of change in rangeland professionalism, research, and education raises questions about the future of three currently popular subjects of discussion, namely biodiversity, riparian zone restoration, and global temperature change.

Controversy characterizes most of the changes, crusades, and myths. Coordinated Resource Management is a collaborative participation process successfully used in conflict resolution of rangeland use problems. That process will continue and increase in effectiveness.

Key words: Grazing, history of science, natural resources, range management, rangeland ecosystem.