Range Management:

“It is science and arts of optimizing the returns from rangelands in those combinations as desired by
and suited to society through the manipulation of range ecosystem.”

GOALS OF RANGE
MANAGEMENT:
1. Protection, conservation, improvement and continued welfare of resources of land, water,
plants, and animals.
2. Increased well being of the rangeland people and society as a whole.
Range management is associated with several sciences as shown:

 We are concerned with several sciences at a time. In the Cholistan, deer are found but
they or their children would perish in cold winter if some cover for ‘birth’ is not provided.
Similarly, wale’s food etc is needed; net carrying capacity is calculated as well.
             In range mgt, there are site limitations, and we can compare the good soil with the
steep topographic site.
             Here the ecology is studied because there are preferences of the kind of animals to
the land species.

PRINCIPLES OF RANGE
MANAGEMENT:
There are four major principles of range management:

1. Correct kind of Animals (livestock)

2. The correct number of Animals
3. Correct season of range use, or grazing
4. Proper (uniform) distribution of livestock on range areas
 Correct kind of Animals (livestock):
There are following determinant factors for the correct kind of animals:

1. Preference
2. Water requirement
3. Topography
4. Palatability of forage species
 Preference:
Existing vegetation play a major role in the determination of animal spp to be grazed eg camel prefer
trees and shrubs while cattle prefer tall grasses. Sheep first prefer short grasses and in case of non-
availability of later they eat on shrubs and even if still, shrubs are not available, they prefer to
browse.

 Water requirement:
Goats and sheep require less water than cattle and the camels can sustain without water up to several
days. In case of scarcity of water, the area may be grazed by camels. So water obviously determines
the kind of animals  

 Topography:
The cattle prefer plain and moderate terrains. If it is a steep topographic area, the sheep and goat may
tread easily and if desert, it is best for camels.

 Palatability of forage species:

It is again related with preference as example Olea ferrugenia and Acacia modesta, etc are palatable
for animals; Cenchrus ciliarius and Chrysopogon aucheri are preferred by cattle.
Similarly, Bothriocloa pertusa and Aristida depressa may be preferred by other animals.
`           Besides this palatability of spp leads to the formation of different covers and canopies of
vegetation eg If camels are allowed in an area to graze the trees and shrubs, the density of trees and
shrubs will be reduced and the lower vegetation ie grasses, etc will rise up. If the situation in reverse
the lower cover will be destroyed due to the unavailability of light. Still, if the mixed animals graze,
the unwanted spp as Dodonaea viscosa (not grazed) etc will show vigorous growth.
            So need is to have optimum benefits from land the exact spp of animal (an exact number as
well) hence animals are adopted differently to different range areas because of their body weight,
water requirements, forage preferences, etc. however, the characteristics of range area considered
are:
1. Species composition or relative proportion of grasses, forbs, herbs, trees, and shrubs.
2. Palatability of each forage spp to different kind of animals
 Nutritive value of range plants to diff kind of animals
1. Range suitability of different kinds of animals.
2. Distribution of forage on range area.
Rangelands have mixed vegetation, therefore, a mixed number of animals should be grazed. These
calculations are made from “Range Suitability Classification”.  Moreover, the optimum utilization of
rangeland is expressed and visible in terms of weight, health, and income from these animals.
 The correct number of Animals:
This is essential for the following reasons:

1. Vegetation should be in good condition.

2. A gain in the weight of animals: (Nobody will invest if not sure of benefit, and success
cannot be expected if the minimum needs of animals are not taken into reckoning).
3. Resource: Continued removal of photosynthesis portions of vegetation is the consequence
of over-grazing. If the individual plant spp is grazed continuously, it will go on utilizing its
reserved food material, the food reserve will decrease and re-growth is hampered. The vigor is
lost. Need is to maintain and least the stability and productivity of range area.
On the other hand, continuous trampling of soil reduces aeration as well as infiltration. Thus the root
penetration will be less more will be runoff accompanied by eroded material (top fertile layer of soil.)

So, how to calculate the correct number for precise utilization of area? This is done by computing
carrying capacity, forage production data and most essentially the proper use of each kind of animal.

A plant can tolerate about 60% grazing of its foliage; however, the exact data is not known. But if
remove 50% and retain 50%, it will improve the health 50%.

Consequently, correct numbers of animals ensure sustained production of animal products (skins,
hides, wools, etc) and maintain range area in good condition. This is important for the well being of
owner, livestock, and rangeland as a whole.

Following are determined periodically to adjust the number of animals according to available forage.

1. Initial Stocking Rate: These are calculated on the basis of carrying capacity. Carrying
capacity is calculated by collecting the forage production data (cut, harvest, and clip) using a
quadrat and clipping the vegetation with a quadrat. (A 50% proper use factor is applied to
calculate the carrying capacity).
2. Range Condition: Range Condition and trend are determined or estimated periodically to
correct the stocking rates.
3. Range Utilization: Range utilization at different intervals of time is calculated to avoid
over-grazing. Overgrazing will result in range deterioration and will change the spp composition.

Correct season of range use, or grazing:

After grazing the plants utilize the stored food material (in roots). If vegetation is clipped and grazed,
the photosynthetic machinery will reduce and the material is exhausted. Then the elongation of roots
is retarded as well. The grasses are more nutritious at younger ages. The old days and the grazing at
the younger stage is more harmful. Thus correct season is related with the morphology and
physiology of the plant. It takes about 15- days for a plant to recover the loss of grazing.

Grazing at the flowering stage is also harmful because most of the carbohydrates are utilized for
flowering and in case of non-availability of these hydrocarbons the seed production is much lesser
(due to the drought).
 In early growing season (eg February), the soil is wet, therefore more compaction of soil. Since dry
periods start after flowering of plants due to less seed, fewer seedlings are established.

Grazing after seed maturity is not harmful to the plants; it rather helps in seed sowing by trampling
effects of animals. However, the livestock will feed on low nutritious food. Grazing, when plants
have made up about 6-8 leaves (it varies from spp to spp) in providing periodic rest to the plants from
grazing or when plants have attained a height of 15 cm, is normally considered good.

Proper (uniform) distribution of livestock

on range areas:
It is the tendency of the people. If they are given the choice, they graze their animals near the water
area and don’t move to the steep area. It shows the uneven utilization of the range resource.

Animals tend to concentrate on flat areas or near watering points. These areas will be overgrazed.
Moderately steep areas will be under grazed because animals will avoid going to that area. Next year
less re-growth occur from the old plants.

To obtain the uniform utilization of all the range plants in range areas, following means and ways are
used:

Range improvement practices:

 Development and distribution of watering facilities on the range areas.
 Salting – providing plenty of salt at proper places uniformly on the range areas.
 The herding of live-stock to areas not preferred by animals, by a herdsman.
 Fencing – fencing the large area into a small area and also the seeded areas (because we
need to save it in early one month.)
 Constricting paths and trails to connecting different range areas for livestock movement.
 Range burning – dense patches of shrubs by vegetation are burned to facilitate livestock
movement.
 Range reseeding
 Range fertilization
 Using specified grazing systems.

Range Suitability:
 It is the adaptability of the range area of grazing by livestock or wildlife. Market demand
for certain livestock products will be determined by the kind of livestock to be reared or raised.
 Factors to be considered for it:
 Kind of vegetation
 Topography
 Availability of drinking water
Laws, Regulations, and Policies
Laws, regulations, and policies direct Forest Service rangeland
management. Policies are the Forest Services rules defining
rangelands management. The policies are documented in agency
manuals and handbooks. The links on this page refer to other
Forest Service, government or educational web sites with the
information or to pages on this Rangelands web.

Laws
The authority to protect, manage, and administer the National Forest System, and other lands under
Forest Service administration for range management purposes, is found in the following acts:

 Organic Administration Act of 1897 –

 revoke any instrument
 water flows, and to furnish a continuous supply of timber
 implement rules regulations

2. The Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937 

 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a program of land conservation

and utilization to correct maladjustments in land use and thus assist such things
as control of soil erosion, reforestation, preservation of natural resources and
protection of fish and wildlife.

3. Sustained Yield Forest Management Act of 1944 –

 is an agreement between Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, or with other

Federal agencies having jurisdiction over forest land. Each of the said
Secretaries is further authorized in his discretion to enter into cooperative
agreements with the other Secretary, or with any Federal agency having
jurisdiction over federally owned or administered forest land, or with any State or
local agency having jurisdiction over publicly owned or administered forest land.

4. Organic Act of 1944 –

 provides establishment and protection of water rights. There are authorized to be

appropriated for expenditure by the Forest Service such sums as may be
necessary for the investigation and establishment of water rights, including the
purchase thereof or of lands or interests in lands or rights-of-way for use and
protection of water rights necessary or beneficial in connection with the
administration and public use of the national forests.
 5. Wild Horse Protection Act of 1959 –

 prohibited the use of a motor vehicle to hunt, for the purpose of capturing or
killing, any wild horse, buffalos running at large on the public lands. Also prohibits
the pollution of watering holes on public lands for the purposes of trapping,
killing, wounding, or maiming any of these animals.

6. Granger-Thye Act of 1950 –

 authorized range improvements from appropriated funds and allowed the Forest

Service to authorize grazing advisory boards and to issue grazing permits for
periods not exceeding ten years.

7. The Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960 –

 establishes the policy and purpose of the National Forests to provide for multiple-
use and sustained yield of products and services.

8. Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 –

 which authorizes long-range planning by the United States Forest Service to

ensure the future supply of forest resources while maintaining a quality
environment. It requires that a renewable resource assessment and a Forest
Service plan be prepared every ten and five years, respectively, to plan and
prepare for the future of natural resources.

9. The Wilderness Act of 1964 –

 established the National Wilderness Preservation System.

10. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 –

 secures protection of archaeological resources and sites on public and lands.

11. National Environmental Policy Act of January 1, 1970 –

 directs all federal agencies to consider and report the potential environmental impacts of
proposed federal actions, and established the Council on Environmental Quality.

12 National Forest Management Act of October 22, 1976 –

 The National Forest Management Act reorganized, expanded and otherwise

amended the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
 1974, which called for the management of renewable resources on National
Forest lands.
 The National Forest Management Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to
assess forest lands, develop a management program based on multiple-use,
sustained-yield principles, and implement a resource management plan for each
unit of the National Forest System. It is the primary statute governing the
administration of National Forests.

13 The Clean Water Act of 1972 –

 sets the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States.

14 The Endangered Species Act of 1973 –

 protects animal and plant species currently in danger of extinction (endangered) and those
that may become endangered in the foreseeable future (threatened). It provides for the
conservation of ecosystems upon which threatened and endangered species of fish, wildlife,
and plants depend, both through Federal action and by encouraging the establishment of
state programs.

15 Forest and Range Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 –

 establishes public land policy and guidelines for the management, protection, development,
and enhancement of the public lands.

16 Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 –

 requires that public lands be managed in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific,
scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and
archeological values; that, where appropriate, will preserve and protect certain public lands
in their natural condition; that will provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife and domestic
animals; and that will provide for outdoor recreation and human occupancy and use. Also
states that the United States shall receive fair market value of the use of the public lands and
their resources unless otherwise provided for by law.

17 Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 – practices started

 establishes and reaffirms the national policy and commitment to inventory and identify
current public rangeland conditions and trends; manage, maintain and improve the condition
of public rangelands so that they become as productive as feasible for all rangeland values
in accordance with management objectives and the land use planning process; charge a fee
for public grazing use which is equitable; continue the policy of protecting wild free-roaming
horses and burros from capture, branding, harassment, or death, while at the same time
facilitating the removal and disposal of excess wild free-roaming horses and burros which
pose a threat to themselves and their habitat and to other rangeland values.

18 The Rescission Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-19) –

 required each National Forest to establish and adhere to a schedule for completing NEPA
analysis and decisions on all grazing allotments within a 15 year period.
Regulations
Regulations governing range management on the National Forests are found throughout the Code of
Federal Regulations Title 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property Parts 200 to 299. The range
management section of this regulation is located in 36 CFR 222. In addition, policy relating to range
resources and coordination of range activities of the USDA agencies and other executive agencies,
organizations, and individuals is included in the following.

 Secretary's Administrative Order of August 1963, Administration of Lands Under Title III of
the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act; Establishment of National Grasslands.
 Departmental Regulation, Number 9500-5 - dated December 15, 1983; Subject: Policy on
Range.
 Executive Order 12548 - Grazing fees, 1986 - provide for establishment of appropriate fees
for the grazing of domestic livestock on public rangelands.

Policies
 Forest Service Rangeland Management Directives -the Forest Service's Rangeland
Management Manuals and Handbooks.
 National Grasslands, A Primer (1997)  - a document identifying and interpreting the laws and
regulations applicable to the administration of the National Grasslands. This is a link to
the Great Plains National Grassland's (Nebraska) web site.