Rangelands
What is Rangeland?
-all deserts except barren deserts -all tundra -vegetation around wetlands -all savannas -all shrublands -only open forest -all grasslands -not highly managed pastures -uncultivated land dominated by native plants grasses and shrubs How much Rangeland in The World? -forests 25% -cropland 10% -urban 3% -ice, rock and barren deserts 15% -rangeland 47% Who Owns Rangland? -mostly owned by the public -people who regulate the public land of range management are the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service |
What Is Rangeland Good For?
-livestock production -recreational hunting -open space -wildlife areas -water -minerals -native plant products What Is Range Management? -is careful use and management of rangeland resources to meet the needs and desires of society without damaging the resource. -term that best describes range management is INTEGRATED tools of range management -fences to keep the cattle in certain areas so we know theyll eat there and in a few weeks we can move them somewhere else and keep them in that area. -number of livestock can be increased or decreased to meet management objectives. -species of livestock to be grazed carefully selected because each species is different in their diet. -fire a natural force in nearly all rangeland ecosystems. -riparian zone: when rangeland managers leave and let grow all the bushes on a side of a river and keep the animals out of that areas. -rotational grazing: not leaving the cattle in one place and rotating where they eat. |
Farmland
What Are The Types of Farming?
-livestock adn poultry: meat dairy and eggs; utilizes rangeland -agriculture: growing one crop (monoculture) or many crops (polyculutre) -aquaculture: raising aquatic organisms for food How Have We Farmed in The Past? -the first agricultural revolution began as early as 9000 BC -Nomads->settlements -cross pollination first began -grew enough to support family and trade how did green revolution change farming? -GOALS: stop hunger increase crop yield, minimize crop losses/failure. -METHODS: new high yield grain varieties, pesticides, fertilizers, better management, more technologically advanced machinery. What is conventional farming? -maximize output--high efficiency -minimize space -concentrated animal feeding operations -genetically modified crops -heavy equipment -chemicals sustainable farming -sustainable output -takes more space -pasture/rangeland feeding -incorporates more human and animal labor -minimize chemical usage -POLYCULTURE |
Benefits
-conventional: lower food costs, fast production times, meets increased demand -sustainable: healthier for humans and organisms alike, higher quality foods, conserves energy and water resources, lower biodiversity/enviromental impact Risks -conventional: biodiversity/habitat degradation, soil water and air pollution, erosion desertification, energy and water loss, contamination of human foods, pesticide and antibiotic resistance -sustainable: higher food costs, low yield, decreased availability, more susceptible to storms pests changes in environment. Water Erosion Control -cultivate on the contour -plant at right angles to natural slope -appropriate for slopes 2-8% -strip crop -plant on contour -alternate row crops with close-growing crops -not only slows erosion but can filter what is eroded -filter strips (riparian zone) -plant on low end of field to prevent chemicals fertilizer from entering nearby ditches streams -cover crops-grown off season -legumes cool season grasses -hairy vetch clover can also add N to soil -windbreaks |
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