Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.012
Aaron Johnston, Kayla Johnston, Katherine D. Lee
Across the western United States, wildfires have increased in both size and frequency, underscoring the need for cost-effective strategies to mitigate risk and support fire suppression efforts. Linear fuel breaks (LFBs)—strips of land where vegetative fuels are removed or modified—are intended to reduce flame lengths, slow fire spread, and improve access and safety for fire crews. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to expand its network of LFBs in the Great Basin by over 17 000 km. However, uncertainties remain regarding their effectiveness in reducing wildfire-related impacts. To address this knowledge gap, we estimate avoided wildfire costs attributable to fuel breaks in the Twin Falls BLM District of south-central Idaho. Our analysis focuses on the 2019 Pothole fire, which was contained in part due to the presence of LFBs. By developing a counterfactual simulated scenario in which the fire did not intersect the fuel breaks and using historic data on suppression expenditures, postfire rehabilitation costs, and grazing-related forage losses, we estimate the net economic benefits associated with fuel break presence. This case study provides actionable insights for land managers by quantifying the potential cost savings from fuel break infrastructure. Our findings indicate that in the northern Great Basin, LFBs may significantly reduce wildfire management costs, supporting their strategic deployment as part of a broader landscape-scale fire mitigation approach.
{"title":"Cost-Effectiveness of Linear Fuel Breaks in Wildfire Management: A Case Study from Southern Idaho","authors":"Aaron Johnston, Kayla Johnston, Katherine D. Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Across the western United States, wildfires have increased in both size and frequency, underscoring the need for cost-effective strategies to mitigate risk and support fire suppression efforts. Linear fuel breaks (LFBs)—strips of land where vegetative fuels are removed or modified—are intended to reduce flame lengths, slow fire spread, and improve access and safety for fire crews. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to expand its network of LFBs in the Great Basin by over 17 000 km. However, uncertainties remain regarding their effectiveness in reducing wildfire-related impacts. To address this knowledge gap, we estimate avoided wildfire costs attributable to fuel breaks in the Twin Falls BLM District of south-central Idaho. Our analysis focuses on the 2019 Pothole fire, which was contained in part due to the presence of LFBs. By developing a counterfactual simulated scenario in which the fire did not intersect the fuel breaks and using historic data on suppression expenditures, postfire rehabilitation costs, and grazing-related forage losses, we estimate the net economic benefits associated with fuel break presence. This case study provides actionable insights for land managers by quantifying the potential cost savings from fuel break infrastructure. Our findings indicate that in the northern Great Basin, LFBs may significantly reduce wildfire management costs, supporting their strategic deployment as part of a broader landscape-scale fire mitigation approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 406-416"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.006
Aaron C. Rhodes , Kathryn E. Tisshaw , Robert M. Plowes , Eric Grahmann , Jimmy Rutledge , Bart Dupont , Lawrence E. Gilbert
Invasive grasses are altering ecosystems at an alarming scale, and precipitation variability will likely exacerbate change in invaded grasslands. Targeted grazing can mitigate the invasiveness of palatable invasive grasses, benefiting native plant communities and wildlife. This study examines the impact of targeted grazing on invasive Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), a C4 perennial grass introduced for forage. Over 4 years, we studied cattle effects on Guinea grass in eight pastures on a 20,000-ha working ranch, across variable Guinea grass, precipitation, and cattle utilization characteristics. Our results demonstrate that targeted grazing surpassing 50% of Guinea grass tillers grazed reduces Guinea grass productivity, reproduction, and thatch accumulation, promoting native plant communities. We found that precipitation and cattle grazing interacted to mediate these effects. During wetter periods, grazing 50% of Guinea grass tillers reduced grass height from 85 cm to 55 cm ± 5.4SE. Guinea grass thatch was reduced by cattle grazing, likely through consumption and trampling, indirectly benefiting native plants. Precipitation and grazing together enhanced Shannon diversity more than either factor alone. For example, at 300 mm of rain and 50% tiller grazing, Shannon diversity increased by 40% (from 0.46 to 0.65 ± 0.14SE). This effect may be due to Guinea grass's resource competition and thatch production. Higher precipitation required more cattle to achieve 50% tillers grazed during wetter survey periods, as measured by camera traps. In contrast, grazing was effective during dry seasons when Guinea grass was likely water-stressed. A Canonical Correlation Analysis differentiated Guinea grass from the rest of the grassland plant community, revealing positive and negative associations with key species: Prosopis glandulosa (CCA1 = 0.0511) and Ambrosia psilostachya (CCA1 = –0.0514). Our findings suggest that targeted grazing and monitoring precipitation patterns can effectively manage Guinea grass and promote native plant diversity in invaded rangelands.
{"title":"Managing Guinea Grass Invasion With Cattle Grazing: Thresholds and Native Plant Recovery Across Rainfall Variability","authors":"Aaron C. Rhodes , Kathryn E. Tisshaw , Robert M. Plowes , Eric Grahmann , Jimmy Rutledge , Bart Dupont , Lawrence E. Gilbert","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive grasses are altering ecosystems at an alarming scale, and precipitation variability will likely exacerbate change in invaded grasslands. Targeted grazing can mitigate the invasiveness of palatable invasive grasses, benefiting native plant communities and wildlife. This study examines the impact of targeted grazing on invasive Guinea grass (<em>Megathyrsus maximus</em>), a C4 perennial grass introduced for forage. Over 4 years, we studied cattle effects on Guinea grass in eight pastures on a 20,000-ha working ranch, across variable Guinea grass, precipitation, and cattle utilization characteristics. Our results demonstrate that targeted grazing surpassing 50% of Guinea grass tillers grazed reduces Guinea grass productivity, reproduction, and thatch accumulation, promoting native plant communities. We found that precipitation and cattle grazing interacted to mediate these effects. During wetter periods, grazing 50% of Guinea grass tillers reduced grass height from 85 cm to 55 cm ± 5.4SE. Guinea grass thatch was reduced by cattle grazing, likely through consumption and trampling, indirectly benefiting native plants. Precipitation and grazing together enhanced Shannon diversity more than either factor alone. For example, at 300 mm of rain and 50% tiller grazing, Shannon diversity increased by 40% (from 0.46 to 0.65 ± 0.14SE). This effect may be due to Guinea grass's resource competition and thatch production. Higher precipitation required more cattle to achieve 50% tillers grazed during wetter survey periods, as measured by camera traps. In contrast, grazing was effective during dry seasons when Guinea grass was likely water-stressed. A Canonical Correlation Analysis differentiated Guinea grass from the rest of the grassland plant community, revealing positive and negative associations with key species: <em>Prosopis glandulosa</em> (CCA1 = 0.0511) and <em>Ambrosia psilostachya</em> (CCA1 = –0.0514). Our findings suggest that targeted grazing and monitoring precipitation patterns can effectively manage Guinea grass and promote native plant diversity in invaded rangelands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 495-506"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.007
Qurban Aliyar , Marzieh Keshavarz
Rangelands cover approximately 70-80% of Afghanistan’s land area and provide critical provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services that sustain rural livelihoods and biodiversity. Although ecological assessments quantify these ecosystem functions, local herders’ perceptions strongly influence grazing decisions, shape community engagement, and ultimately affect the success of resilience-building interventions. Consequently, understanding local perceptions is essential for designing interventions that align socio-cultural values with ecological realities. This study surveyed 200 households in Band-e-Amir National Park and the Shah-e-Foladi protected rangeland to document perceived ecosystem services and to identify drivers of perceived vulnerability to rangeland degradation. Respondents reported moderate-to-high awareness of provisioning services (fodder, fuelwood, and fiber) and of key regulating services (soil stabilization and water retention), but relatively limited recognition of supporting and cultural services. Overgrazing, shrub collection, and expansion of dryland farming emerged as the primary perceived threats to rangeland resilience. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that greater occupational dependency on rangeland resources and tenure insecurity were associated with higher perceived vulnerability, whereas higher household income was associated with lower perceived vulnerability. Notably, higher levels of social trust were also associated with increased perceived vulnerability, and greater awareness of ecosystem services heightened sensitivity to degradation risks. Taken together, these findings imply that integrated interventions—such as tenure reforms, livelihood diversification, community-based governance, and participatory education—tailored to local patterns of occupational dependence, tenure insecurity, economic capacity, social trust, and service awareness are likely to strengthen stewardship, reinforce ecosystem functions, and improve the resilience of Afghanistan’s rangelands.
{"title":"Rangeland Resilience on the Brink: Unravelling Ecosystem Services and Degradation Drivers","authors":"Qurban Aliyar , Marzieh Keshavarz","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rangelands cover approximately 70-80% of Afghanistan’s land area and provide critical provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services that sustain rural livelihoods and biodiversity. Although ecological assessments quantify these ecosystem functions, local herders’ perceptions strongly influence grazing decisions, shape community engagement, and ultimately affect the success of resilience-building interventions. Consequently, understanding local perceptions is essential for designing interventions that align socio-cultural values with ecological realities. This study surveyed 200 households in Band-e-Amir National Park and the Shah-e-Foladi protected rangeland to document perceived ecosystem services and to identify drivers of perceived vulnerability to rangeland degradation. Respondents reported moderate-to-high awareness of provisioning services (fodder, fuelwood, and fiber) and of key regulating services (soil stabilization and water retention), but relatively limited recognition of supporting and cultural services. Overgrazing, shrub collection, and expansion of dryland farming emerged as the primary perceived threats to rangeland resilience. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that greater occupational dependency on rangeland resources and tenure insecurity were associated with higher perceived vulnerability, whereas higher household income was associated with lower perceived vulnerability. Notably, higher levels of social trust were also associated with increased perceived vulnerability, and greater awareness of ecosystem services heightened sensitivity to degradation risks. Taken together, these findings imply that integrated interventions—such as tenure reforms, livelihood diversification, community-based governance, and participatory education—tailored to local patterns of occupational dependence, tenure insecurity, economic capacity, social trust, and service awareness are likely to strengthen stewardship, reinforce ecosystem functions, and improve the resilience of Afghanistan’s rangelands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 507-515"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.008
Gbenga F. Akomolafe, Dineo Mogashoa, Peter C. le Roux
The encroachment of woody species into grasslands impacts these ecosystems globally. Identifying the environmental factors associated with encroaching species’ distributions can provide insights relevant to their management, especially when examined across different spatial scales. Leucosidea sericea is an endemic woody species that is encroaching in southern African grasslands, and has the potential for considerable negative socio-ecological impacts in the region. This study, therefore, investigates the factors predicting the distribution of L. sericea at 2 contrasting scales: at a fine scale, using data from one topographically heterogenous landscape, and at a broad scale using environmental conditions across the species’ global distribution. The distribution of L. sericea is accurately modelled at both scales. At the finer scale, the species tended to occur at lower elevations and in sites with high soil moisture, low wind exposure and lower non-woody vegetation cover, suggesting that its landscape-scale occurrence patterns are sensitive to both biotic and abiotic conditions. At a broader scale, precipitation and temperature variables were more important than soil conditions in predicting its distribution. Specifically, the species had the highest probability of occurrence at sites with cooler temperatures (8–17 °C) and wetter condition (precipitation of 300–550 mm) during the warmest quarter of the year. This suggests that the warmer and drier conditions associated with current climate change trends will potentially constrain the future distribution of the species, with upslope expansion to cooler altitudes a possible response to increasing temperatures. These findings highlight that the occurrence of L. sericea is correlated with multiple environmental factors, and suggests that its distribution is likely sensitive to further climate change. Consequently, under changing temperature, rainfall conditions and shifting land-use, monitoring of this species, particularly in areas suitable for its occurrence, should be considered a priority by rangeland managers, conservationists and other stakeholders to understand the need for its management. This study can serve as a framework for understanding occurrence patterns of encroaching species across different spatial scales.
{"title":"Drivers of the Fine- and Broad-Scale Distribution of a Woody Encroacher in a Montane Grassland","authors":"Gbenga F. Akomolafe, Dineo Mogashoa, Peter C. le Roux","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.10.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The encroachment of woody species into grasslands impacts these ecosystems globally. Identifying the environmental factors associated with encroaching species’ distributions can provide insights relevant to their management, especially when examined across different spatial scales. <em>Leucosidea sericea</em> is an endemic woody species that is encroaching in southern African grasslands, and has the potential for considerable negative socio-ecological impacts in the region. This study, therefore, investigates the factors predicting the distribution of <em>L. sericea</em> at 2 contrasting scales: at a fine scale, using data from one topographically heterogenous landscape, and at a broad scale using environmental conditions across the species’ global distribution. The distribution of <em>L. sericea</em> is accurately modelled at both scales. At the finer scale, the species tended to occur at lower elevations and in sites with high soil moisture, low wind exposure and lower non-woody vegetation cover, suggesting that its landscape-scale occurrence patterns are sensitive to both biotic and abiotic conditions. At a broader scale, precipitation and temperature variables were more important than soil conditions in predicting its distribution. Specifically, the species had the highest probability of occurrence at sites with cooler temperatures (8–17 °C) and wetter condition (precipitation of 300–550 mm) during the warmest quarter of the year. This suggests that the warmer and drier conditions associated with current climate change trends will potentially constrain the future distribution of the species, with upslope expansion to cooler altitudes a possible response to increasing temperatures. These findings highlight that the occurrence of <em>L. sericea</em> is correlated with multiple environmental factors, and suggests that its distribution is likely sensitive to further climate change. Consequently, under changing temperature, rainfall conditions and shifting land-use, monitoring of this species, particularly in areas suitable for its occurrence, should be considered a priority by rangeland managers, conservationists and other stakeholders to understand the need for its management. This study can serve as a framework for understanding occurrence patterns of encroaching species across different spatial scales.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 516-526"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145617653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.009
Jonathan D. Bates, Kirk W. Davies, Rory C. O’Connor, Stella M. Copeland
Reduced fire frequency is recognized as a main cause of piñon–juniper (Pinus–Juniperus L.) expansion in western North American sagebrush steppe and grasslands. Piñon–juniper woodland control using prescribed fire and mechanical treatments have increased the past three decades with the goal of restoring sagebrush steppe plant communities. Factors shaping the response of sagebrush steppe communities following woodland treatment include shrub and herbaceous composition, level of tree dominance, and site characteristics. We compared vegetation recovery spanning 20 yr following prescribed fire on mid-succession and late-succession western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) woodlands on Steens Mountain, Oregon. Our objective was to evaluate vegetation dynamics between early (first decade) and later successional (second decade) time periods after fire. The first decade after fire vegetation on burned mid-succession sites were codominated by native herbaceous perennials and sprouting shrub species and on late-succession sites vegetation was codominated by nonnative cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus Dougl.). During the second decade after fire, vegetation composition converged and both mid-succession and late-succession sites were codominated by herbaceous perennials, mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana [Rydb.] Beetle), round-leaf snowberry (Symphoricarpos rotundifolius A. Gray) and snowbrush. Herbaceous and shrub vegetation composition of both burned woodland phases proved to be highly resilient to fire, the difference was that native shrub-herbaceous recovery on late-succession sites required about twice as much time as mid-succession sites. The resilience of both mid-succession and late-succession woodland sites was likely a product of ecological site characteristics (e.g., elevation and precipitation zone) that affords a competitive advantage for native perennial species over invasive annuals.
{"title":"Initial Divergent Postfire Recovery Converges Over the Long-term: A Case Study in Juniper-Encroached Sagebrush Steppe","authors":"Jonathan D. Bates, Kirk W. Davies, Rory C. O’Connor, Stella M. Copeland","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reduced fire frequency is recognized as a main cause of piñon–juniper (<em>Pinus–Juniperus</em> L.) expansion in western North American sagebrush steppe and grasslands. Piñon–juniper woodland control using prescribed fire and mechanical treatments have increased the past three decades with the goal of restoring sagebrush steppe plant communities. Factors shaping the response of sagebrush steppe communities following woodland treatment include shrub and herbaceous composition, level of tree dominance, and site characteristics. We compared vegetation recovery spanning 20 yr following prescribed fire on mid-succession and late-succession western juniper (<em>Juniperus occidentalis</em> Hook.) woodlands on Steens Mountain, Oregon. Our objective was to evaluate vegetation dynamics between early (first decade) and later successional (second decade) time periods after fire. The first decade after fire vegetation on burned mid-succession sites were codominated by native herbaceous perennials and sprouting shrub species and on late-succession sites vegetation was codominated by nonnative cheatgrass (<em>Bromus tectorum</em> L.) and snowbrush (<em>Ceanothus velutinus</em> Dougl.). During the second decade after fire, vegetation composition converged and both mid-succession and late-succession sites were codominated by herbaceous perennials, mountain big sagebrush (<em>Artemisia tridentata</em> spp. <em>vaseyana</em> [Rydb.] Beetle), round-leaf snowberry (<em>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</em> A. Gray) and snowbrush. Herbaceous and shrub vegetation composition of both burned woodland phases proved to be highly resilient to fire, the difference was that native shrub-herbaceous recovery on late-succession sites required about twice as much time as mid-succession sites. The resilience of both mid-succession and late-succession woodland sites was likely a product of ecological site characteristics (e.g., elevation and precipitation zone) that affords a competitive advantage for native perennial species over invasive annuals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 377-387"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.004
Anthony Mapaura , Kim Canavan , David M. Richardson , Joao de Deus Vidal Junior , V. Ralph Clark , Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen
Three South American Nassella species (N. neesiana, N. tenuissima and N. trichotoma) have naturalized in South Africa but have not yet been reported in Lesotho. Of these, N. tenuissima and N. trichotoma have been recognized as serious invaders since the 1970s. Assessing their current and future distributions is crucial for understanding the threats they pose in both countries. This study addressed the following questions: 1) What key bioclimatic variables control the geographical distribution of these species? 2) What is the current potential distribution range? and 3) What is the future potential distribution under three carbon-emission scenarios using estimates for the period 2071–2100? Nine non-collinear predictors from the CHELSEA database were selected for Maxent species distribution models. These models were projected under future climate scenarios, incorporating three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) from five global circulation models. Results showed that temperature-related variables, particularly mean diurnal range, were critical for all species, while precipitation in the driest month also influenced N. trichotoma. Results suggest that all three species can potentially occupy a greater area than they currently occupy. While highly suitable area is predicted to contract for all species, the Maloti-Drakensberg region—including in Lesotho—is predicted to become increasingly suitable. This poses a severe risk to the endemic-rich biodiversity and rangeland productivity. Much of Lesotho is affected by overgrazing and other disturbances which favor Nassella establishment. Proactive surveillance directed at early detection of Nassella incursion into Lesotho should be given high priority.
三种南美纳塞拉（neesiana N. neesiana， N. tenuissima和N. trichotoma）已在南非归化，但尚未在莱索托报告。其中，tenuissima和trichotoma自20世纪70年代以来被认为是严重的入侵者。评估它们目前和未来的分布对于了解它们在这两个国家构成的威胁至关重要。本研究解决了以下问题：1)哪些关键的生物气候变量控制了这些物种的地理分布？2)当前的潜在分布范围是什么？3)在三种碳排放情景下，使用2071-2100年的估计值，未来的潜在分布是什么？从CHELSEA数据库中选择9个非共线性预测因子用于Maxent物种分布模型。这些模型在未来气候情景下进行了预估，纳入了来自五个全球环流模型的三个共享社会经济路径（ssp）。结果表明，温度相关变量，特别是平均日差，对所有物种都至关重要，而最干旱月份的降水也会影响赤眼蜂。结果表明，这三个物种可能占据比目前更大的面积。虽然所有物种的高度适宜区域预计都将缩小，但马洛蒂-德拉肯斯堡地区（包括莱索托）预计将变得越来越适宜。这对地方性丰富的生物多样性和牧场生产力构成严重威胁。莱索托的大部分地区都受到过度放牧和其他干扰的影响，这些干扰有利于纳塞拉的建立。应高度优先重视旨在及早发现纳塞拉入侵莱索托的主动监测。
{"title":"Implications of Climate Change for the Distribution of the Invasive Grass Genus Nassella in South Africa and Lesotho","authors":"Anthony Mapaura , Kim Canavan , David M. Richardson , Joao de Deus Vidal Junior , V. Ralph Clark , Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three South American <em>Nassella</em> species (<em>N. neesiana, N. tenuissima</em> and <em>N. trichotoma</em>) have naturalized in South Africa but have not yet been reported in Lesotho. Of these, <em>N. tenuissima</em> and <em>N. trichotoma</em> have been recognized as serious invaders since the 1970s. Assessing their current and future distributions is crucial for understanding the threats they pose in both countries. This study addressed the following questions: 1) What key bioclimatic variables control the geographical distribution of these species? 2) What is the current potential distribution range? and 3) What is the future potential distribution under three carbon-emission scenarios using estimates for the period 2071–2100? Nine non-collinear predictors from the CHELSEA database were selected for Maxent species distribution models. These models were projected under future climate scenarios, incorporating three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) from five global circulation models. Results showed that temperature-related variables, particularly mean diurnal range, were critical for all species, while precipitation in the driest month also influenced <em>N. trichotoma</em>. Results suggest that all three species can potentially occupy a greater area than they currently occupy. While highly suitable area is predicted to contract for all species, the Maloti-Drakensberg region—including in Lesotho—is predicted to become increasingly suitable. This poses a severe risk to the endemic-rich biodiversity and rangeland productivity. Much of Lesotho is affected by overgrazing and other disturbances which favor <em>Nassella</em> establishment. Proactive surveillance directed at early detection of <em>Nassella</em> incursion into Lesotho should be given high priority.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 367-376"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.005
José L. Oviedo , Lynn Huntsinger , Nathan D. Van Schmidt , Steven R. Beissinger
Research on private ownership of rural land often draws on many factors in attempting to explain land use and management decisions, including landownership motivations. In this article, we present the results of a survey of private landowners in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Yuba, Nevada, and Butte counties (California), in a rangeland setting that is mostly open oak woodland intermixed with grassland and shrubland. We used factor analysis to identify landowner typologies based on the importance to respondents of various motivations for landownership. We then used regression models to analyze whether the identified typologies determine land and water management decisions. These decisions affect the size and distribution of shallow wetlands that provide key habitat for wildlife, particularly for the threatened California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus). Our results identified two typologies associated primarily with pecuniary motivations and four with nonpecuniary motivations. We also found that landowners driven by motives we termed Profit or Lifestyle were more likely to manage water-dependent areas and take actions affecting both wetlands and land uses, while those motivated by Recreation or land Investment were less likely to take any action. Property size was also a significant driver of management decisions. Our findings suggest the need for tailoring environmental schemes to different landowner typologies in the management of private rangelands.
{"title":"Do Landownership Motivations Determine Land and Water Management? A Survey of Ranchers in California Rangelands","authors":"José L. Oviedo , Lynn Huntsinger , Nathan D. Van Schmidt , Steven R. Beissinger","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research on private ownership of rural land often draws on many factors in attempting to explain land use and management decisions, including landownership motivations. In this article, we present the results of a survey of private landowners in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Yuba, Nevada, and Butte counties (California), in a rangeland setting that is mostly open oak woodland intermixed with grassland and shrubland. We used factor analysis to identify landowner typologies based on the importance to respondents of various motivations for landownership. We then used regression models to analyze whether the identified typologies determine land and water management decisions. These decisions affect the size and distribution of shallow wetlands that provide key habitat for wildlife, particularly for the threatened California black rail (<em>Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus</em>). Our results identified two typologies associated primarily with pecuniary motivations and four with nonpecuniary motivations. We also found that landowners driven by motives we termed <em>Profit</em> or <em>Lifestyle</em> were more likely to manage water-dependent areas and take actions affecting both wetlands and land uses, while those motivated by <em>Recreation</em> or land <em>Investment</em> were less likely to take any action. Property size was also a significant driver of management decisions. Our findings suggest the need for tailoring environmental schemes to different landowner typologies in the management of private rangelands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 356-366"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145361714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.008
Luis M. Guzmán , Pablo E. Villagra , Raul E. Quiroga , Diego I. Pereyra , Martin E. Pelliza
The increase in shrub cover, driven by factors such as climate change, overgrazing, and reduced fire frequency, is a global process that is also affecting the native forests of the Arid Chaco in Argentina. One of its main effects is the reduction in the production of native and non-native grasses, which are important forage resources for extensive livestock farming. To counteract this, shrub removal practices such as roller-chopping and hand cutting are implemented, often combined with the seeding of Cenchrus ciliaris L. (buffelgrass). Despite its widespread regional application, little is known about the medium-term (5–10 years) changes these practices induce in the soil. In this study, we explored the effects of roller-chopping and hand-cutting on soil physicochemical properties. To do so, we compared plots with different land-use histories: without shrub removal (conserved woodland and degraded rangeland) and with shrub removal (roller-chopping and hand-cutting, both in degraded rangeland), across five livestock farms. We found that, compared to conserved woodland and degraded rangeland, soil mechanical resistance was higher in the removal treatments, being greatest in the hand-cutting plots, which also exhibited the highest bulk density. In both cases, these values increased with depth, showing an inverse pattern to that of conserved woodland and degraded rangeland. Similarly, we detected a lower infiltration rate in the shrub removal treatments. We found no significant differences in most soil nutrient concentrations between treatments, except for phosphorus, which showed significantly higher values in the degraded rangeland and roller chopping. The increase in soil compaction and the reduction in water infiltration in roller-chopping and hand-cutting treatments could affect key ecosystem functions, such as net primary productivity dynamics and the water and carbon cycles. This study provides key information for decision-making in the management of livestock-forestry systems, contributing to the design of vegetation interventions that are compatible with soil quality conservation.
{"title":"Shrub Removal Practices in Livestock Environments of the Argentine Arid Chaco: Changes on Soil Physicochemical Properties","authors":"Luis M. Guzmán , Pablo E. Villagra , Raul E. Quiroga , Diego I. Pereyra , Martin E. Pelliza","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increase in shrub cover, driven by factors such as climate change, overgrazing, and reduced fire frequency, is a global process that is also affecting the native forests of the Arid Chaco in Argentina. One of its main effects is the reduction in the production of native and non-native grasses, which are important forage resources for extensive livestock farming. To counteract this, shrub removal practices such as roller-chopping and hand cutting are implemented, often combined with the seeding of <em>Cenchrus ciliaris</em> L. (buffelgrass). Despite its widespread regional application, little is known about the medium-term (5–10 years) changes these practices induce in the soil. In this study, we explored the effects of roller-chopping and hand-cutting on soil physicochemical properties. To do so, we compared plots with different land-use histories: without shrub removal (conserved woodland and degraded rangeland) and with shrub removal (roller-chopping and hand-cutting, both in degraded rangeland), across five livestock farms. We found that, compared to conserved woodland and degraded rangeland, soil mechanical resistance was higher in the removal treatments, being greatest in the hand-cutting plots, which also exhibited the highest bulk density. In both cases, these values increased with depth, showing an inverse pattern to that of conserved woodland and degraded rangeland. Similarly, we detected a lower infiltration rate in the shrub removal treatments. We found no significant differences in most soil nutrient concentrations between treatments, except for phosphorus, which showed significantly higher values in the degraded rangeland and roller chopping. The increase in soil compaction and the reduction in water infiltration in roller-chopping and hand-cutting treatments could affect key ecosystem functions, such as net primary productivity dynamics and the water and carbon cycles. This study provides key information for decision-making in the management of livestock-forestry systems, contributing to the design of vegetation interventions that are compatible with soil quality conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 319-328"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145323858","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.007
Matthew Rigge , Madelon F. Case , Scott E. Shaff , Lisa Ellsworth , Brett Bunde , Kory Postma
Vegetation treatments are frequently utilized in Western US rangelands to reduce woody plant cover in sagebrush stands threatened by increased wildfire risk and in pinyon-juniper woodlands expanding into formerly high-value sagebrush habitats. Despite widespread use of these treatments, monitoring data to evaluate long-term vegetation responses are often insufficient or absent. Long-term field experiments and remote-sensing based vegetation data may be complementary for assessing treatment effectiveness across temporal and spatial scales. The SageSTEP project experimentally implemented treatments at numerous sites across the Intermountain West and monitored the subsequent response of vegetation cover components with 15+ yr of field observations. However, while pretreatment data were collected in the year of implementation, long-term observations of pretreatment vegetation conditions are lacking in the SageSTEP database. Remote-sensing based time-series maps (1985–2023) of vegetation cover from Rangeland Condition Monitoring Assessment and Projection (RCMAP) could fill temporal gaps in monitoring data and scale findings across broader extents. We evaluate the relationship between pretreatment vegetation cover in the RCMAP data and the post-treatment response in both the RCMAP and field observations. Additionally, we explore the correspondence between SageSTEP field observations and RCMAP at various scales, and examine key factors related to the strength of relationships. Overall, SageSTEP and RCMAP data show a similar direction of treatment effect for each component, and to a lesser extent the magnitude of effect. SageSTEP and RCMAP data tended to agree most strongly where treatment effects were strong; when averaged across broader spatial scales; and for components such as tree and bare ground that are more easily distinguished spectrally. Remote sensing tools such as RCMAP, in combination with field-based climate and vegetation observations, can help assess postdisturbance recovery trajectories and facilitate regional decision-making around treatment alternatives, fire risk reduction, and protection of critical habitats.
{"title":"Correspondence Between Satellite-Derived and Long-Term Field Observations of Vegetation Cover at Great Basin Experimental Treatments","authors":"Matthew Rigge , Madelon F. Case , Scott E. Shaff , Lisa Ellsworth , Brett Bunde , Kory Postma","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vegetation treatments are frequently utilized in Western US rangelands to reduce woody plant cover in sagebrush stands threatened by increased wildfire risk and in pinyon-juniper woodlands expanding into formerly high-value sagebrush habitats. Despite widespread use of these treatments, monitoring data to evaluate long-term vegetation responses are often insufficient or absent. Long-term field experiments and remote-sensing based vegetation data may be complementary for assessing treatment effectiveness across temporal and spatial scales. The SageSTEP project experimentally implemented treatments at numerous sites across the Intermountain West and monitored the subsequent response of vegetation cover components with 15+ yr of field observations. However, while pretreatment data were collected in the year of implementation, long-term observations of pretreatment vegetation conditions are lacking in the SageSTEP database. Remote-sensing based time-series maps (1985–2023) of vegetation cover from Rangeland Condition Monitoring Assessment and Projection (RCMAP) could fill temporal gaps in monitoring data and scale findings across broader extents. We evaluate the relationship between pretreatment vegetation cover in the RCMAP data and the post-treatment response in both the RCMAP and field observations. Additionally, we explore the correspondence between SageSTEP field observations and RCMAP at various scales, and examine key factors related to the strength of relationships. Overall, SageSTEP and RCMAP data show a similar direction of treatment effect for each component, and to a lesser extent the magnitude of effect. SageSTEP and RCMAP data tended to agree most strongly where treatment effects were strong; when averaged across broader spatial scales; and for components such as tree and bare ground that are more easily distinguished spectrally. Remote sensing tools such as RCMAP, in combination with field-based climate and vegetation observations, can help assess postdisturbance recovery trajectories and facilitate regional decision-making around treatment alternatives, fire risk reduction, and protection of critical habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 341-355"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145323856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.006
Paulo Sérgio Ferreira da Silva , Mércia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos , Mário de Andrade Lira , Márcio Vieira da Cunha , Alexandre Carneiro Leão de Mello , André Pereira Freire Ferraz , José Carlos Batista Dubeux Jr. , Maria da Conceição Silva , Djalma Cordeiro dos Santos , Dayanne Camelo
Forage cactus is an important fodder resource for livestock in semiarid region. Understanding how morphological and productive variability and susceptibility to cochineal among cactus clones is key to select clones that are best adapted to each region. This research hypothesized that morphological and productive characteristics of forage cactus clones, as well as their susceptibility to cochineal attacks, vary significantly among genotypes and environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological and productive characteristics and the presence of cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae and Diaspis echinocacti) in six forage cactus clones in two semiarid regions, during 2 yr. The studied six clones were: F21, IPA-Sertânia and Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck), IPA-20 [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.], F8 (Opuntia atropes Rose), and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) [Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw.] in two sites, Arcoverde (Sertão) and São Bento do Una (Agreste), Pernambuco, Brazil. The design was randomized complete block with three replications for each site. The clones F8 and Miúda showed greater height when cultivated in São Bento do Una (108 and 112 cm) than in Arcoverde (67 and 61 cm). In São Bento do Una, clones F21, IPA-Sertânia, and Miúda produced more (18, 24, and 16 Mg · DM · ha−1 2 yr) compared with Arcoverde (7, 10, and 8 Mg · DM · ha−1). Clone F8 showed complete resistance to D. opuntiae and D. echinocacti. Clone IPA-20 was most susceptible to D. opuntiae, and OEM was most susceptible to D. echinocacti. Environmental conditions significantly affected cactus productivity. Pest-resistant clones such as F8 are crucial in pest-prone areas. São Bento do Una offers more favorable conditions for forage cactus cultivation. We conclude that the OEM clone is more suitable for cultivation in Arcoverde, whereas the IPA-Sertânia clone is better suited for São Bento do Una, due to their superior dry matter production, water use efficiency, and survival rates.
草料仙人掌是半干旱区重要的家畜饲料资源。了解仙人掌无性系的形态和产量变异以及对胭脂虫的易感性是选择最适合每个地区的无性系的关键。本研究推测，不同基因型和环境条件下，饲用仙人掌无性系的形态和生产特征以及对胭脂虫的易感性存在显著差异。研究了2年半干旱区6个草食仙人掌无性系F21、ipa - sert、Miúda （Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck）和IPA-20 （Opuntia ficus-indica (L.)）的形态特征和产量特征，并对它们的存在进行了分析。轧机。], F8 （Opuntia atropes Rose）和Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) [Opuntia stricta (Haw.)]。山楂。在巴西伯南布哥省的Arcoverde （sert）和s o Bento do Una （Agreste）两个地点。设计是随机的完整块，每个位点有三个重复。无性系F8和Miúda在 o Bento do Una栽培时的株高（108和112 cm）高于Arcoverde栽培时的株高（67和61 cm）。在 o Bento do Una中，与Arcoverde（7、10和8 Mg·DM·ha−1）相比，F21、ipa - sertnia和Miúda克隆（18、24和16 Mg·DM·ha−12年）的产量更高（18、24和16 Mg·DM·ha−1）。无性系F8对机会僵菌和棘球绦虫具有完全抗性。克隆IPA-20对机会菌最敏感，克隆OEM对棘皮菌最敏感。环境条件对仙人掌产量有显著影响。F8等抗虫害无性系在害虫多发地区至关重要。o Bento do Una为牧草仙人掌的种植提供了更有利的条件。我们得出结论，OEM无性系更适合在Arcoverde种植，而ipa - sert尼亚无性系更适合在 o Bento do Una种植，因为它们具有更高的干物质产量、水分利用效率和成活率。
{"title":"Morphological, Productive, and Pest Susceptibility Characteristics of Forage Cactus Clones in Semiarid Regions of Brazil","authors":"Paulo Sérgio Ferreira da Silva , Mércia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos , Mário de Andrade Lira , Márcio Vieira da Cunha , Alexandre Carneiro Leão de Mello , André Pereira Freire Ferraz , José Carlos Batista Dubeux Jr. , Maria da Conceição Silva , Djalma Cordeiro dos Santos , Dayanne Camelo","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.09.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forage cactus is an important fodder resource for livestock in semiarid region. Understanding how morphological and productive variability and susceptibility to cochineal among cactus clones is key to select clones that are best adapted to each region. This research hypothesized that morphological and productive characteristics of forage cactus clones, as well as their susceptibility to cochineal attacks, vary significantly among genotypes and environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological and productive characteristics and the presence of cochineal (<em>Dactylopius opuntiae</em> and <em>Diaspis echinocacti</em>) in six forage cactus clones in two semiarid regions, during 2 yr. The studied six clones were: F21, IPA-Sertânia and Miúda (<em>Nopalea cochenillifera</em> Salm-Dyck), IPA-20 [<em>Opuntia ficus-indica</em> (L.) Mill.], F8 (<em>Opuntia atropes</em> Rose), and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM) [<em>Opuntia stricta</em> (Haw.) Haw.] in two sites, Arcoverde (Sertão) and São Bento do Una (Agreste), Pernambuco, Brazil. The design was randomized complete block with three replications for each site. The clones F8 and Miúda showed greater height when cultivated in São Bento do Una (108 and 112 cm) than in Arcoverde (67 and 61 cm). In São Bento do Una, clones F21, IPA-Sertânia, and Miúda produced more (18, 24, and 16 Mg · DM · ha<sup>−1</sup> 2 yr) compared with Arcoverde (7, 10, and 8 Mg · DM · ha<sup>−1</sup>). Clone F8 showed complete resistance to <em>D. opuntiae</em> and <em>D. echinocacti</em>. Clone IPA-20 was most susceptible to <em>D. opuntiae</em>, and OEM was most susceptible to <em>D. echinocacti</em>. Environmental conditions significantly affected cactus productivity. Pest-resistant clones such as F8 are crucial in pest-prone areas. São Bento do Una offers more favorable conditions for forage cactus cultivation. We conclude that the OEM clone is more suitable for cultivation in Arcoverde, whereas the IPA-Sertânia clone is better suited for São Bento do Una, due to their superior dry matter production, water use efficiency, and survival rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"103 ","pages":"Pages 329-340"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145323857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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