In-Depth Notes on Rangelands of the US

Rangelands of the US

• The US has 15 basic rangeland types that are economically significant for forage production and overall area.

• Key references include studies and reports from USDA and various scientists documenting these rangelands.

Tallgrass Prairie

• Located east of mixed & shortgrass prairies and west of deciduous forests (primarily in Kansas and Oklahoma).

• The climate is subhumid and temperate:

  • Annual precipitation: approx. 600 mm to nearly 1,000 mm.

  • Most rain falls in the summer, crucial for grass growth, as young tree seedlings face mortality during droughts.

• Soil type: Mollisols, ideal for crops like corn and wheat due to fertility and deep profiles.

• Ecological adaptations:

  • Dominated by little bluestem and big bluestem grasses (80% of climax composition).

  • Overgrazing shifts the vegetation from tall to short grasses, replaced by annuals if severe.

• Key species:

  • Forbs: Leadplant, scurfpea; provide nitrogen fixation and wildlife habitat.

  • Shrubs: Buckbrush; not preferred by livestock but valuable for wildlife.

• Management practices include rotation grazing and spring burning to manage mulch accumulation.

Southern Mixed Prairie

• Extends from eastern New Mexico to eastern Texas; significant for livestock production.

• Climate: Varied; precipitation from 300 mm to 700 mm. Frost-free period of at least 180 days.

• Vegetational diversity includes subtypes like true mixed, desert prairie, high plains bluestem, and oak savanna.

• Important grasses: blue grama, buffalo grass, little bluestem, and silver bluestem.

• Grazing practices emphasize the combination of livestock types (cattle, sheep, etc.) to promote range health.

Northern Mixed Prairie

• Covers parts of the Great Plains extending from South Dakota northward.

• Climate: Long, severe winters with warm summers; precipitation varies from 300 mm to 650 mm. Typical growing season of 140 days.

• Characterized by a diverse array of grasses and shrubs:

  • Grasses: Bluebunch wheatgrass, little bluestem; high forage value, particularly for livestock.

  • Shrubs: Silver sagebrush, big sagebrush, key for wildlife habitats.

• Livestock practices should consider diversity for both livestock health and wildlife sustainability.

Shortgrass Prairie

• Ranges from northern New Mexico to northern Wyoming; precipitation between 300 mm and 500 mm.

• Characterized by blue grama and buffalo grass.

• Overgrazing shifts composition toward less desirable species like cactus or thistle.

• Effective grazing management can boost forage production and livestock performance.

California Annual Grassland

• Found mainly west of the Sierra Nevada; characterized by a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall.

• Vegetation primarily consists of cool-season annual grasses, many introduced and less palatable.

• Management challenges: erosion from overgrazing and variable forage availability.

Palouse Prairie

• High conversion to farmland due to fertile soils; primarily supports wheat production.

• Grass composition includes bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue, both sensitive to grazing pressure.

• Significant ecological shift noted with heavy grazing; need for sustainable practices.

Hot Desert

• Comprising regions in Southern California and neighboring states; low precipitation (130 mm to 500 mm).

• Vegetation primarily includes shrubs and grasses, many unpalatable to livestock.

• Management focuses on sustainable grazing practices.

Cold Desert (Great Basin)

• Comprises sagebrush grassland and salt desert; typically less productive.

• Importance for wildlife habitats due to distinct vegetation.

• Slow recovery from overgrazing; effective management practices required.

Piñon-Juniper Woodland

• Widespread in the western US, characterized by poorly developed soils.

• Increased density over the last century due to grazing and fire suppression.

• Management includes tree thinning to improve understory grazing conditions.

Mountain Browse

• Essential big game winter ranges; dominated by shrubs and small trees.

• Requires careful management to balance livestock grazing with wildlife preservation.

Eastern Deciduous Forest

• Important for livestock with suitable climate and soil types; many areas modified for agriculture.

• Good rotational grazing practices can enhance livestock production.

Oak Woodland

• Various types dominated by oaks; important wildlife habitat with limited forage value for livestock.

• Management practices include herbicidal spraying and controlled burning for habitat improvement.

Alpine Tundra

• Altitudinally the highest rangeland type, receiving significant snow precipitation.

• Fragile ecosystems primarily support grazing sheep; water importance highlighted due to climate impacts.

The US has 15 basic rangeland types that are economically significant for forage production and overall area, each contributing uniquely to agricultural practices and ecosystem services. Key references include studies and reports from USDA and various scientists documenting these rangelands, highlighting their diverse roles in wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and soil conservation.

Tallgrass Prairie

• Located east of mixed & shortgrass prairies and west of deciduous forests (primarily in Kansas and Oklahoma), this region is crucial for both biodiversity and agricultural output.

• The climate is subhumid and temperate, with annual precipitation ranging from approx. 600 mm to nearly 1,000 mm, making it one of the more fertile regions in the US. Most rain falls in summer, which is vital for grass growth as water availability is crucial during the growing season. Young tree seedlings face mortality during droughts.

  • Drought resistance strategies in native grasses have evolved to cope with seasonal variability, allowing them to thrive where non-native species often fail.

• Soil type: Mollisols are present, which are known for their high fertility and deep profiles, making them ideal for crops like corn and wheat, which are economically significant to the state.

• Ecological adaptations: Dominated by little bluestem and big bluestem grasses (80% of climax composition), which are integral to maintaining the health of the grassland ecosystem.

  • Overgrazing shifts the vegetation from tall to short grasses, leading to a decline in forage quality, and if severe, can lead to a dominance of invasive annual species.

• Key species include:

  • Forbs: Leadplant, scurfpea; these plants provide essential nitrogen fixation and enhance wildlife habitat variety.

  • Shrubs: Buckbrush, crucial for nesting and feeding of various birds, though not preferred by livestock.

• Management practices include rotation grazing which minimizes overuse of forage plants and spring burning to manage mulch accumulation while encouraging new growth.

Southern Mixed Prairie

• This prairie extends from eastern New Mexico to eastern Texas and is significant for livestock production, providing rich grazing lands for various types of livestock.

• Climate: Varied; annual precipitation ranges from 300 mm to 700 mm, with a frost-free period of at least 180 days. This variability allows for a diverse plant community to flourish.

• Vegetational diversity includes subtypes like true mixed, desert prairie, high plains bluestem, and oak savanna, each hosting a unique assemblage of flora and fauna.

• Important grasses include blue grama, buffalo grass, little bluestem, and silver bluestem; these species are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and soil health.

• Grazing practices emphasize a combination of livestock types (cattle, sheep, etc.) to promote range health, ensuring that no single species dominates and that habitat remains diverse.

Northern Mixed Prairie

• This prairie covers parts of the Great Plains, extending from South Dakota northward, serving as critical habitat for numerous wildlife species and forage for livestock.

• Climate: Characterized by long, severe winters accompanied by warm summers; precipitation varies from 300 mm to 650 mm, with a typical growing season of about 140 days.

• Characterized by a diverse array of grasses and shrubs:

  • Grasses: Bluebunch wheatgrass and little bluestem provide high forage value, essential for livestock nutrition.

  • Shrubs: Silver sagebrush and big sagebrush; these species are vital for providing shelter and food for many wildlife species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the ecosystem.

• Livestock practices should consider diversity for both livestock health and wildlife sustainability, promoting a balanced ecosystem.

Shortgrass Prairie

• This region ranges from northern New Mexico to northern Wyoming; precipitation levels fall between 300 mm and 500 mm, which limits the types of vegetation that can thrive.

• Characterized primarily by blue grama and buffalo grass, these grasses are adapted to the arid conditions and low nutrient soil.

• Overgrazing can significantly shift the composition toward less desirable species, such as cactus or thistle, which are not beneficial for livestock forage and reduce overall productivity.

• Effective grazing management practices, such as adaptive grazing strategies, can enhance forage production and livestock health significantly.

California Annual Grassland

• This rangeland is primarily situated west of the Sierra Nevada, characterized by a challenging Mediterranean climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.

• Vegetation primarily consists of cool-season annual grasses, many of which are introduced species that tend to be less palatable to livestock compared to native grasses.

• Management challenges include erosion potential from overgrazing and unpredictable forage availability due to climate variability. Sustainable grazing regimes and reseeding programs are necessary to restore and maintain soil health and forage productivity.

Palouse Prairie

• This area has seen high conversion to farmland due to fertile soils that primarily support wheat production. However, conservation efforts are underway to preserve its unique ecosystems.

• Grass composition includes bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue, both of which are sensitive to grazing pressure and require careful management to maintain their populations.

• Significant ecological shifts have been noted with heavy grazing pressure; therefore, implementing sustainable practices is crucial for long-term viability.

Hot Desert

• Comprising regions in Southern California and neighboring states, the hot desert receives low precipitation levels, ranging from 130 mm to 500 mm per annum.

• Vegetation predominantly includes drought-resistant shrubs and grasses, many of which are unpalatable to livestock, highlighting the biodiversity adapted to harsh conditions.

• Management focuses on sustainable grazing practices that prevent over-exploitation of fragile landscapes and promote recovery of degraded areas.

Cold Desert (Great Basin)

• This rangeland includes sagebrush grassland and salt desert ecosystems, typically exhibiting lower productivity than other types of rangelands.

• Its distinct vegetation structure provides critical wildlife habitats, particularly for species that rely on sagebrush as a food source.

• Due to slow recovery from overgrazing, effective management practices are crucial to restoring these areas and maintaining their biodiversity.

Piñon-Juniper Woodland

• Widespread in the western US, this woodland is characterized by poorly developed soils that challenge traditional agricultural practices.

• Increased tree density over the last century has resulted from grazing and fire suppression activities, impacting the understory ecology.

• Management strategies include selective tree thinning and prescribed burns to improve conditions for grazing and promote healthier ecosystems.

Mountain Browse

• This type is essential for big game winter ranges, dominated by shrubs and small trees that provide shelter and forage for wildlife.

• Requires careful management to balance livestock grazing with wildlife preservation, ensuring that ecosystems remain in balance and that all species have access to necessary resources.

Eastern Deciduous Forest

• This region is important for livestock due to its suitable climate and soil types, with many areas having been modified for agricultural practices.

• Implementing good rotational grazing practices can significantly enhance livestock production efficiency while promoting soil and vegetation health.

Oak Woodland

• Composed of various types dominated by different oak species, the oak woodland serves as important wildlife habitat, albeit with limited forage value for livestock.

• Management practices include herbicidal spraying and controlled burning, aimed at habitat improvement and the preservation of biodiversity within the ecosystem.

Alpine Tundra

• This is the altitudinally highest rangeland type, requiring careful management due to its brief growing season and fragile ecosystems that are significantly influenced by climatic fluctuations.

• These ecosystems primarily support grazing sheep, which can lead to trampling and other negative effects on vegetation; effective management to minimize impact and ensure water availability is crucial due to climate change implications.

The US has 15 basic rangeland types, each of significant economic importance for forage production and contributing to various ecological services. These rangelands encompass diverse landscapes that support agriculture, wildlife habitat, and environmental sustainability. Key references include comprehensive studies and reports from the USDA and various scientists that document these rangelands, emphasizing their critical roles in wildlife habitat provision, carbon sequestration, soil health, and overall ecosystem services.

Tallgrass Prairie

• Located predominantly east of the mixed and shortgrass prairies and west of deciduous forests, mainly in Kansas and Oklahoma, this region serves as a rich biodiversity hotspot and significant agricultural production area.

• Climate: The climate in the Tallgrass Prairie is characterized as subhumid and temperate, with annual precipitation ranging from approximately 600 mm to nearly 1,000 mm. The majority of rainfall occurs during the summer months, which is essential for the growth of grasses that thrive in moist conditions, while summer droughts can be detrimental to young tree seedlings, leading to their increased mortality.

  • Drought resistance: Native grasses have exhibited evolutionary adaptations and strategies to survive seasonal variability, thus allowing them to thrive in environments where non-native species often struggle.

• Soil type: Characterized by fertile Mollisols, these soils have excellent fertility and deep profiles, making them ideal for agriculture, particularly for crops such as corn and wheat that are economically vital to this region.

• Ecological adaptations: The ecological dynamics of this prairie are largely dominated by little bluestem and big bluestem grasses, which make up approximately 80% of the climax composition. These grasses contribute to maintaining the ecological health of the grassland biome.

  • Overgrazing effects: Intensive grazing pressure can result in drastic shifts from tallgrass to shortgrass dominance and can foster the proliferation of invasive annual species, significantly diminishing forage quality and ecological balance.

• Key species include important forbs like Leadplant and scurfpea, which play vital roles in nitrogen fixation and enriching biodiversity, as well as shrubs such as Buckbrush, which, while not favored by livestock, provide substantial habitat for numerous wildlife species.

• Management practices: Effective management practices encompass rotation grazing, which minimizes the overuse and degradation of forage plants, along with spring burning methods designed to manage mulch accumulation while promoting new grass growth and rejuvenation of the ecosystem.

Southern Mixed Prairie

• This prairie type stretches from eastern New Mexico to eastern Texas; it plays a critical role in livestock production, providing extensive grazing lands for various livestock types.

• Climate: The climate is variable, with annual precipitation varying from 300 mm to 700 mm and ensures a frost-free period lasting at least 180 days. Such variability allows for a diverse plant community to develop, supporting a range of species adapted to these conditions.

• Vegetational diversity features several subtypes, including true mixed prairie, desert prairie, high plains bluestem, and oak savanna, each supporting unique assemblages of flora and fauna crucial for ecosystem health and resilience.

• Important grasses: Key grass species include blue grama, buffalo grass, little bluestem, and silver bluestem, all essential for maintaining ecological balance, improving soil health, and supporting livestock nutrition.

• Grazing practices emphasize mixed livestock management, involving a combination of cattle, sheep, and other species to promote overall range health and ecological diversity, thereby minimizing the risk of overgrazing by any single species.

Northern Mixed Prairie

• Covering significant portions of the Great Plains that extend from South Dakota northward, this prairie is critical not only as a forage resource for livestock but also as habitat for numerous wildlife species.

• Climate: Characterized by long and severe winters contrasted with warm summers, precipitation levels typically range from 300 mm to 650 mm, and the average growing season averages around 140 days, making this region suitable for specific grass and shrub species.

• Vegetative composition: It features a diverse array of grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass and little bluestem, renowned for their high forage value crucial for livestock health, alongside shrubs like silver sagebrush and big sagebrush that provide shelter and food, ensuring a rich biodiversity.

• Livestock management practices in this region should incorporate considerations for the diversity of both livestock health and local wildlife sustainability, fostering a balanced ecosystem that benefits both agriculture and natural habitats.

Shortgrass Prairie

• This prairie region ranges from northern New Mexico to northern Wyoming, with precipitation levels between 300 mm and 500 mm, defining its arid conditions that limit the types of vegetation able to flourish.

• Predominantly characterized by drought-resistant blue grama and buffalo grass, these grasses are optimally adapted to cope with low nutrient and harsh conditions, contributing significantly to local livestock forage resources.

• Overgrazing can severely alter plant composition, leading to the prevalence of less desirable species like cactus or thistle, which fail to provide nutrition for livestock and contribute to reduced overall productivity and ecosystem health.

• Effective grazing management practices such as adaptive grazing strategies focus on optimizing forage availability for livestock while ensuring the sustainability of the rangeland ecosystem through ecological restoration efforts.

California Annual Grassland

• Primarily located west of the Sierra Nevada, this grassland type is shaped by a Mediterranean climate characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons.

• Vegetation mainly consists of cool-season annual grasses that often include a mix of native and introduced species, many of which are less palatable to livestock compared to indigenous flora.

• Management challenges include significant erosion risks from overgrazing and inconsistent forage availability due to climatic variability; sustainable grazing strategies and proactive land management practices are essential to restore and maintain soil health and optimize forage productivity.

Palouse Prairie

• This rangeland area has undergone extensive conversion to farmland owing to its fertile soils, which primarily support wheat production. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving its unique ecological landscapes and their biodiversity.

• Dominated by grass species such as bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue, both of which are sensitive to grazing pressures, effective grassland management practices are essential to maintain their populations and overall ecosystem health.

• Notable ecological shifts accompany heavy grazing pressure; thus, sustainable practices are pivotal in ensuring the long-term viability of both agricultural and natural resources.

Hot Desert

• Encompassing regions primarily in Southern California and adjacent states, the hot desert features low annual precipitation (130 mm to 500 mm), giving rise to a unique ecosystem characterized by drought-tolerant shrubs and grasses, many of which are unsuitable for livestock consumption.

• Effective management strategies focus on sustainable grazing practices that prevent over-exploitation of the fragile landscape and promote regeneration of degraded areas, ensuring long-term resource viability.

Cold Desert (Great Basin)

• The Great Basin’s cold desert includes sagebrush grasslands and salt desert ecosystems, which typically exhibit lower productivity than more temperate ranges while providing unique habitats for various wildlife species relying on sagebrush for sustenance.

• Due to the gradual recovery process from overgrazing, effective management practices that aim to restore these areas and maintain biodiversity over time are essential.

Piñon-Juniper Woodland

• Found throughout the western US, this woodland is characterized by poorly developed soils, presenting significant challenges for traditional agricultural policies.

• Tree density has increased dramatically over the last century due to invasive grazing practices and fire suppression efforts, significantly affecting the understory and overall ecosystem balance.

• Management approaches involve selective tree thinning and controlled burns to enhance grazing conditions below the canopy and promote healthier ecosystems that are resilient to environmental changes.

Mountain Browse

• This category of rangeland is crucial for wintering populations of big game, characterized by a dominance of shrubs and small trees that provide necessary shelter and forage for wildlife.

• Requires careful management to maintain a balance between livestock grazing needs and wildlife preservation, ensuring that both agricultural practices and ecological integrity are maintained.

Eastern Deciduous Forest

• This region, characterized by favorable climate and soil types for livestock, has undergone significant anthropogenic modification to facilitate agricultural practices.

• Implementing well-structured rotational grazing practices can enhance livestock production efficiency while simultaneously promoting soil health and vegetation health, contributing positively to the local ecosystem.

Oak Woodland

• Comprising various types characterized by dominant oak species, this woodland type serves as a vital wildlife habitat, although it may have limited forage value for livestock.

• Appropriate management practices, including herbicidal spraying and controlled burns, aim to improve habitat quality and contribute to the preservation of the biodiversity within these ecosystems.

Alpine Tundra

• This rangeland type is located at the highest altitudes, receiving significant snow precipitation and supporting fragile ecosystems sensitive to climate changes and associated disturbances.

• These ecosystems primarily support grazing sheep and require meticulous management to minimize trampling effects and to ensure long-term water availability due to climate variability that can impact their sustenance.