Values of Rangelands

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Values of Rangelands
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Objectives

• Define multiple use
• Identify and discuss the benefits
• and uses of rangeland

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Multiple Use

• Because rangelands have many important uses, most
  rangelands are managed under principles of
  multiple-use
• Several uses or values of rangeland are managed
  simultaneously with care to avoid overuse or
  destruction of natural resources.

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What is rangeland good for?

• Livestock production
• Wildlife habitat
• Water
• Minerals (oil, coal, sulfur)
• Native plant products
• Recreation
• Open space
• Western Heritage

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Livestock Production

• Livestock production on rangeland is very
  important to supply meat for American and World
  populations and also for leather, wool, mohair,
  and other products that livestock yield.
• Range livestock production is Idahos major
  agricultural activity in terms of land used and
  cash receipts

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Wildlife Habitat

• Rangelands provide habitat for countless mammals,
  birds, amphibians, fishes, and insects.
• Of the total number of animal species found in
  the United States
• 84 of the mammals,
• 74 of the birds,
• 58 of the amphibians and
• 38 of the fishes are represented in rangeland
  ecosystems.

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Water

• Most of the water in the streams and river of
  Idaho fell initially on rangeland or forests.
  Therefore, proper management of rangeland
  requires careful attention to the amount
  quality of water that flows off rangeland

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Minerals

• Idaho hosts a wide array of mineral resources
• Gold in north, central and southern Idaho
• Silver, lead and zinc in the north
• Molybdenum and cobalt in central Idaho
• Phosphate in southeast Idaho

UI Special Collections
BLM/Idaho
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Native Plant Products

• Eating Wild on Public Lands!
• A variety of wild foods are found in Idaho
• Camas
• Huckleberries
• Pinenuts

William Wilma Follette _at_ USDA-NRCS PLANTS
Database
10
Recreation

• Rangelands are increasingly important for
  recreational uses such as
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Camping
• Mountain biking
• Cross-country skiing
• Snowmobiling

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Open Space

• People in the west value open space
• Livestock ranches are becoming working
  wilderness to maintain biodiversity and wildlife
  habitat quality
• Environmentally concerned citizens have paid
  ranchers to maintain open space through scenic
  easements

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Western Heritage

• Legacy of the Cowboy
• Long-history of ranching families in Idaho