John A. Tanaka

An Integrated Social, Economic, and Ecologic Conceptual (ISEEC) framework for considering rangeland sustainability

Currently, there is no standard method to assess the complex systems in rangeland ecosystems. Decision makers need baselines to create a common language of current rangeland conditions and standards for continued rangeland assessment. The Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable (SRR), a group of private and public organizations and agencies, has created a forum to discuss rangeland sustainability and assessment. The SRR has worked to integrate social, economic, and ecological disciplines related to rangelands and has identified a standard set of indicators that can be used to assess rangeland sustainability. As part of this process, SRR has developed a two-tiered conceptual framework from a systems perspective to study the validity of indicators and the relationships among them. The first tier categorizes rangeland characteristics into four states. The second tier defines processes affecting these states through time and space. The framework clearly shows that the processes affect and are affected by each other.

Wolf (Canis lupus) Predation Impacts on Livestock Production: Direct Effects, Indirect Effects, and Implications for Compensation Ratios

Abstract Growing wolf (Canis lupus L.) populations in the US Rocky Mountain Region have increased conflicts between livestock production and wolf conservation. Given that the costs of large carnivore conservation are disproportionately borne by local livestock producers, the United States uses compensation for wolf damage to reduce conflicts and mediate negative attitudes toward the predators. Current compensation programs, however, only consider the direct effects of wolf predation. Indirect effects, such as wolf effects on weaning weights, and conception rates, may also reduce profitability. By not including indirect wolf effects, compensation programs may systematically undercompensate ranchers. We use a stochastic budget model of a representative cow–calf ranch in northwest Wyoming to estimate the economic impact of both direct (death loss and injured calves) and indirect effects (decreased weaning weights, decreased conception rates, and increased cattle sickness) of wolf predation. Our results suggest that short-run (i.e., year-to-year) financial impacts of wolf indirect effects may be as large as or larger than the direct effects. Including indirect effects implies that the compensation ratio (i.e., number of calves compensated per confirmed depredation) necessary to fully offset the financial impacts of wolves would need to be two to three times larger than current 7:1 compensation ratio used in Wyoming.

Framework for Comparing Ecosystem Impacts of Developing Unconventional Energy Resources on Western US Rangelands

Abstract More diverse sources of energy are needed for countries to progress toward energy independence and to meet future food production needs. The US Task Force on Strategic Unconventional Fuels concluded that to achieve this objective it is essential to develop a domestic unconventional fuels industry. Rangelands, which cover 50% to 70% of the earths terrestrial surface and dominate much of the western half of the United States, represent a major source of alternative energy resources. A framework to systematically identify biophysical-socioeconomic links that influence the delivery of ecosystem services affected by alternative uses of rangelands has been lacking. The Integrated Social, Economic, and Ecological Conceptual framework was developed by the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable to address this deficiency. We apply this framework to demonstrate how the effect on ecosystem services of exploiting rangeland-based biofuel, natural gas, and wind energy resources can be systematically compared. We also demonstrate the use of this framework for selecting suitable indicators to monitor changes in the biophysical-socioeconomic links affected by the development of these unconventional energy sources. This type of approach can potentially enhance coordination between federal, state, and local agencies that are attempting to set polices and regulations for the sustainable development of unconventional energy resources on rangelands. Resumen Más diversidad de fuentes de energía es necesaria para que los países progresen hacia la independencia energética y cumplan con sus necesidades futuras de alimentación. El grupo estratégico para combustibles no-convencionales de los EUA concluyó que para lograr el éste objetivo, es esencial desarrollar una industria de combustibles no-convencionales interna. Los pastizales, quienes cubren entre el 50 al 70% de la superficie del planeta y dominan más de la mitad del oeste de EUA representan la mayor fuente de recursos de energía alternativa. Hace falta desarrollar un marco conceptual que sistemáticamente identifique los enlaces biofísicos-socioeconómicos que influyen en la entrega de los servicios de los ecosistemas que son afectados por los usos alternativos de los pastizales. El Marco Conceptual de Integración Social, Económica y Ecológica desarrollado por la Mesa de Sostenibilidad de los Pastizales está dirigido para atender esta deficiencia. Aplicamos este marco conceptual para demostrar como el efecto en los servicios del ecosistema por la explotación de biocombustibles basados en los pastizales, gas natural y fuentes de energía eólica pueden ser comparados sistemáticamente. También demostramos que el uso de este marco conceptual para seleccionar indicadores adecuados para monitorear cambios en los enlaces biofísicos-socioeconómicos afectados por el desarrollo de estas fuentes de energía no convencionales. Este tipo de punto de vista puede potencialmente enriquecer la coordinación entre las agencias federales, estatales y locales que están intentando establecer políticas y regulaciones en el desarrollo sostenible de fuentes de energía no convencional en pastizales.

Economic and Social Impacts of Wildfires and Invasive Plants in American Deserts: Lessons From the Great Basin

Abstract Research on the impacts of wildfire and invasive plants in rangelands has focused on biophysical rather than human dimensions of these environmental processes. We offer a synthetic perspective on economic and social aspects of wildfire and invasive plants in American deserts, focusing on the Great Basin because greater research attention has been given to the effects of cheatgrass expansion than to other desert wildfire/invasion cycles. We focus first on impacts at the level of the individual decision-maker, then on impacts experienced at the human community or larger socio-political scales. Economic impacts of wildfire differ from those of invasive grasses because although fire typically reduces forage availability and thus ranch profit opportunities, invasive grasses can also be used as a forage source and ranchers have adapted their grazing systems to take advantage of that circumstance. To reduce the threat of increased ranch bankruptcies, strategies are needed that can increase access to alternative early-season forage sources and/or promote diversification of ranch income streams by capturing value from ranch ecosystem services other than forage. The growth of low-density, exurban subdivisions in Western deserts influences not only the pattern and frequency of wildfire and plant invasions but also affects prevailing public opinion toward potential management options, and thereby the capacity of land management agencies to use those options. Outreach efforts can influence public opinion, but must be rooted in new knowledge about multiple impacts of invasion and increased wildfire in American deserts.

Rangeland Ecosystem Goods and Services: Values and Evaluation of Opportunities for Ranchers and Land Managers

Rangeland Ecosystem Goods and Services: Values and Evaluation of Opportunities for Ranchers and Land Managers DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v33i5_maczko

Grazing Distribution: The Quest for the Silver Bullet

ince the beginning of the range management pro-fession, distribution of livestock on rangelands has been one of many challenges. Much of the informa-tion on different livestock distribution practices has come from anecdotal evidence and case studies. Whereas the early focus was on distributing livestock evenly across a pasture, the more recent focus has been to keep livestock out of riparian areas. We have examined the effectiveness of several different distribution practices. It has become appar-ent that the effectiveness depends upon the ranching system to which it will be applied as to whether it is both eco-logically and economically practical. For this reason, we have developed a model of an eastern Oregon ranching system to test the effect of each practice. We will discuss the model ranch and demonstrate how it is used to evaluate livestock distribution practices and show how the model can be applied to a region in terms of economic impacts and job creation.The grazing distribution practices examined included off-stream water developments with trace mineralized salt, herding, early weaning, altering the season of use, fencing, and strategic supplementation. Northeast Oregon is charac-terized by mixed conifer forests in the mountains and valleys that are mostly cropped. The mountains have numerous riparian areas associated with a mixture of dry and wet meadows (Figs. 1 and 2). Seasonal grazing is tradi tionally practiced on a combination of deeded and federal land.

Economics of Western Juniper Control in Central Oregon

Abstract The economic and ecological benefits and control costs of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) management on rangelands are evaluated using a discrete-time, dynamic economic model developed to depict 4 representative ranches in the John Day region of north-central Oregon. The models optimization criterion is to maximize the net present value of profits through decisions regarding herd size and composition, cattle sales, and the manipulation of forage production through juniper management practices. Projections are made regarding the impacts of economically optimal juniper management on wildlife populations, stream flows, and erosion levels. Results consistently showed that juniper management options resulted in larger equilibrium herd sizes and greater economic returns. Erosion levels were substantially lower in scenarios that contained juniper management options. Economically optimal juniper management decisions led to increased quail and elk populations, but generally resulted in decreased deer populations. The results indicate there are both economic and ecological benefits from controlling western juniper on Oregon rangelands.

Economic implications of off-stream water developments to improve riparian grazing

Livestock grazing in riparian areas is an important management issue on both private and public lands. A study was initiated in northeastern Oregon to evaluate the economic and ecological impacts of different cattle management practices on riparian areas. The effect of off-stream water and salt on livestock distribution and subsequent impact on riparian use, water quality, and livestock production was evaluated. A multi-period bioeconomic linear programming model is used to evaluate the long-term economic feasibility of this management practice with a riparian utilization restriction of 35% for a 300 cow-calf operation. The utilization restriction resulted in economically optimal herd sizes 10% smaller than the baseline herd size. With the management practice, cattle were distributed more evenly, consumed more upland forage before maximum riparian utilization was reached, and gained more weight. The economic impacts of these outcomes were increased with expected annual net returns to the ranch for the project ranging between

Economic optimum big sagebrush control for increasing crested wheatgrass production.

4,500 and

Economic feasibility and management considerations in range revegetation.

11,000 depending on cattle prices and precipitation levels. Properly functioning riparian systems are vital to the health of watersheds and provide an important forage and habitat resource for livestock and wildlife. Recent concerns about water quality and wildlife and fisheries habitat have focused attention on livestock management practices occurring within these areas. The impacts of livestock on riparian systems have been identified (Kauffman and Krueger 1984) and specialized management strategies such as rest rotation, late season grazing and riparian corridor fencing have been developed. However, economic assessments of these management alternatives are often lacking (Skovlin 1984, Armour et al. 1991). When economic analyses are undertaken, projects are often found to not be economically justified (Nielsen 1984, Workman 1986). There is a critical need at this time for economically feasible riparian grazing management strategies that achieve environmental goals. Bioeconomic models are one method that can be used for evaluating management options. They can combine biological Financial support was provided by the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension (SARE) program and the Blue Mountains Natural Resources Institute, La Grande, Ore. Oregon State University Extension and Experiment Station Technical Paper Number 11958. Manuscript accepted 16 Nov. 02. Resumen El apacentamiento de ganado en areas riberenas es un importante problema de manejo en terrenos publicos y privados. Se inicio un estudio en el noreste de Oregon para evaluar los impactos economicos y economcos de diferentes practicas de manejo de ganado en areas riberenas. Se evaluo el efecto de la disponibilidad de agua y sal lejos de la corriente en la distribucion del ganado y los impactos subsecuentes en el use del area riberena, la calidad del agua y la produccion del ganado. Se use un modelo de programacion lineal de multiperiodos bioeconomicos para evaluar la factibilidad economica a largo plazo de esta practica de manejo con una restriccion de utilizacion del area riberena del 35 % para una operacion de 300 pares de vacabecerro. La restriccion de utilizacion resulto en tamanos de hato economicamente optimos 10% menores que el tamano base del hato. Con la practica de manejo el ganado se distribuyo mas uniformemente y consumio mas forraje de las areas tierras arriba antes de alcanzar la maxima utilizacion del area riberena y gang mas peso. Los impactos economicos de estos resultados fueron incrementos del retorno neto anual esperado del rancho en un rango de