LOVELOCK - The cold desert of western North America faces multiple challenges with regard to fire and invasive species management. Recent participants at the "Wildfire and Invasive Plants in American Deserts Conference" identified several critical management and research issues in cold deserts. There was general agreement among workshop participants that the most critical issues to be addressed are invasion by annual grasses (notably cheatgrass) and the grass-fire cycle that can result. A related but less frequently mentioned issue was the ongoing expansion of pinyon pine and juniper species into sagebrush ecosystems, and the increasing potential for larger and more severe fires within the woodland zone. Importantly, the need to increase education regarding the threats to rangeland as a way to obtain public support was the second most frequently mentioned issue, and the lack of funding for addressing critical issues was not far behind. A related concern was the need to increase science-based information applicable to the management of rangeland. Many participants identified improving restoration and increasing our understanding of ecological condition and site recovery potential as important challenges in the cold desert. The need to clearly determine situations where grazing causes a non-desirable vegetation change versus those where grazing can be used as a potential tool in fire and invasive species management was mentioned by several participants.
Many strategies were suggested by workshop participants for addressing the problems facing rangeland management. The most frequent response given by workshop participants was that the best strategy for success in problem solving is to strengthen the linkages between science and management partners and to use science-based management approaches. Education about critical issues and the use of science-based management approaches, collaboration and cooperation among all partners, and increased funding were all suggested as important supporting strategies. Others indicated that strategies for maintaining ecosystem resilience and health serve as the foundation for effective rangeland management.
The threats facing the cold desert can only be addressed through active communication and collaboration among the public, land managers, policy makers and researchers. Increased education about the threats to rangeland, and the practices appropriate for maintaining and restoring them, is needed to gain public support for management activities. Large-scale demonstration projects that involve the collaboration and cooperation of all interested parties like SageSTEP (www.sagestep.org) can be used to increase public support and funding for management and restoration goals and practices. Including all interested parties (managers, researchers, land owners, etc.) when evaluating science-based policy and developing management plans can help prevent future conflict. Protecting, managing and restoring cold desert ecosystems are expensive, and require not only public support but also innovative, "out-of-the-box" funding solutions. Effective partnerships will be inclusive in both the development and implementation stages, and will seek to leverage limited funds, increase efficiency, and avoid overlap.
If you would like more information about alternative rangeland management strategies, you may contact Steve Foster at (775) 273-2923 or e-mail me at fosters@unce.unr.edu.
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