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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #328146
Title: Range Ecosystems

Author
item Spiegal, Sheri
item HUNTSINGER, LYNN - University Of California
item HOPKINSON, PETER - University Of California
item BARTOLOME, JAMES - University Of California

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2015
Publication Date: 1/15/2016
Citation: Spiegal, S.A., Huntsinger, L., Hopkinson, P., Bartolome, J. 2016. Range Ecosystems. In: Zavaleta E, Mooney HA (eds) Ecosystems of California. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 835-864.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: After 200 years, livestock grazing remains California’s most extensive land use. Contemporary rangelands are managed for multiple outcomes, including livestock production, biodiversity conservation, fuels management, and soil, water, and air quality protection. The requirements of grazing management differ considerably among California’s Mediterranean, desert, and montane biogeographical regions, and understanding and predicting the influences of grazing requires an integrated view of the biophysical, social, and economic processes within each region. As forage resources have become limited statewide, management of public range must now consider land use changes on private range. Partnerships between ranchers and rangeland landowners are essential to conserving these extensive and cherished landscapes.