Chapter 8: Land Section 8-2: How We Use Our Land Part 2

In the arid West it takes about 77 acres of grazing land to raise one cow, while in the rest of the U.S. it takes an average of 17.5 acres to raise one cow.

Rangelands Along with farmland, rangeland is essential for maintaining the world’s food supply. Some experts predict that current trends in population growth will necessitate a 40% increase in food production.

Rangelands consist primarily of grasses and shrubs – remarkably adaptable plants – that can live through drought, freezes, fires and years of animal grazing.

These plants have this capacity because the growing point of each plant is at the base of every leaf – so if the upper section is cut or damaged, the leaf will grow back.

Another interesting characteristic of these plants is there root systems – fibrous root system – holds soil together, which prevents soil erosion.

Even though grass is adaptable, it does have its limits. When too many animals graze in an area for too long, they damage the grass beyond its ability to recover and much of it dies.

When an area is overgrazed, much of the grass is destroyed and the fibrous root system decays this leads to problems. Less appealing species of plants begin to grow. Erosion occurs. Desertification can occur.

Desertification is a process where rangelands are converted to wastelands.

In the U.S., the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 has helped improve the management of public rangelands.

Public Rangeland Improvement Act of 1978 Grazing management: limits animal herds to sizes the land can support. Range improvement: eliminating sagebrush and other weedy plants that invade overgrazed areas, planting vegetation, fencing areas to prevent overgrazing.