Grazing for Biological Conservation: Lessons Learned from Grazing Studies
This symposium (Cal-Pac Society for Range Management Symposium
held in conjunction with the
Society for Conservation Biology Meeting) will address a new paradigm in regards to grazing and conservation of western grasslands and associated species. It has been well established that grazing by domestic livestock modifies plant and animal communities. The assumption is often that this modification degrades habitat for native plants and animals. But as more threatened and endangered species are recognized in the west, an increasing number of these species occur in habitats grazed by domestic livestock. Researchers are no longer simply looking at grazing versus rest; instead they are evaluating grazing strategies that vary intensity, timing and/or species of domestic herbivore to achieve specific habitat conservation objectives. They are also identifying management tradeoffs: the positive versus negative impacts of grazing strategies on various conservation objectives.
The fact that properly managed livestock grazing and conservation can be mutually compatible is significant and completely changes the way conservationist frame and solve grassland conservation issues. Livestock grazing not only becomes another tool that can be used against the threats that degrade habitat, but is also an important strategy for conserving large landscapes across public and private lands. This symposium will feature researchers from various disciplines and affiliations who have been studying the impact of grazing on specific conservation issues in the western United States. Their research will provide valuable insight for the design of future of grazing/ conservation studies, and call attention to management considerations for conserving grasslands worldwide.
Tentative List of Speakers and Presentation Titles:
-Opening presentation Dr. James Bartolome, University of California, Berkeley
Components of managed grazing and complexity of conducting grazing studies
-Dr. Fred Provenza, Utah State University
Using our knowledge of livestock behavior towards conservation efforts
-Dr. Grey Hayes, Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Cattle grazing and California coastal prairie annual wildflowers conservation
-Dr. Jaymee Marty, The Nature Conservancy
Grazing impacts on California vernal pool grasslands
-Matt Wacker, EDAW consultant
Designing and implementing monitoring programs for vernal pool grasslands
-Dr. David Germano, California State University, Bakersfield
Managing exotic grasses and conserving declining species
-Dr. Barbara Allen-Diaz, University of California, Berkeley
Grazing impacts to Yosemite Toads on the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forest
-Theresa Ward, University of California Cooperative Extension
Riparian grazing strategies and their impact on riparian health
-David Riensche, East Bay Regional Park District
Lizard abundance in managed California grassland
-Joe DiDonato, East Bay Regional Park District
Endangered amphibian research on grazed lands
-Dr. Barbara Allen-Diaz, University of California, Berkeley
Long-term grazing study in spring-fed wetlands reveals tradeoffs
-Dr. Larry Ford, Rangeland Management and Conservation Science Consultant
The Central Coast Rangeland Coalition's rangeland ecosystem health indicators project
-Michele Hammond, University of California, Berkeley
Effects of vegetation structure as a result of grazing on grassland songbirds
-Stephanie Larson, Oregon State University
Grazing sinuosity - determining where cattle will graze based on where they have been
-Dr. Wolfgang Pitroff, University of California, Davis
Prescribing herbivory for fire fuels management
-Dr. Susan Marshall's Lab- Humboldt State University
Measuring soil compaction as a result of grazing and its impact on perennial native grasses
-Dan Macon, Land Trust
Grazing for change: highlighting Californian ranchers grazing for conservation
Cal-Pac Society for Range Management (SRM) will electronically publish proceedings of the symposium with acknowledgements to the Society for Conservation Biology.
For more information contact: Sheila Barry, UCCE Santa Clara, 408 282-3106.
held in conjunction with the
Society for Conservation Biology Meeting) will address a new paradigm in regards to grazing and conservation of western grasslands and associated species. It has been well established that grazing by domestic livestock modifies plant and animal communities. The assumption is often that this modification degrades habitat for native plants and animals. But as more threatened and endangered species are recognized in the west, an increasing number of these species occur in habitats grazed by domestic livestock. Researchers are no longer simply looking at grazing versus rest; instead they are evaluating grazing strategies that vary intensity, timing and/or species of domestic herbivore to achieve specific habitat conservation objectives. They are also identifying management tradeoffs: the positive versus negative impacts of grazing strategies on various conservation objectives.
The fact that properly managed livestock grazing and conservation can be mutually compatible is significant and completely changes the way conservationist frame and solve grassland conservation issues. Livestock grazing not only becomes another tool that can be used against the threats that degrade habitat, but is also an important strategy for conserving large landscapes across public and private lands. This symposium will feature researchers from various disciplines and affiliations who have been studying the impact of grazing on specific conservation issues in the western United States. Their research will provide valuable insight for the design of future of grazing/ conservation studies, and call attention to management considerations for conserving grasslands worldwide.
Tentative List of Speakers and Presentation Titles:
-Opening presentation Dr. James Bartolome, University of California, Berkeley
Components of managed grazing and complexity of conducting grazing studies
-Dr. Fred Provenza, Utah State University
Using our knowledge of livestock behavior towards conservation efforts
-Dr. Grey Hayes, Elkhorn Slough Coastal Training Program
Cattle grazing and California coastal prairie annual wildflowers conservation
-Dr. Jaymee Marty, The Nature Conservancy
Grazing impacts on California vernal pool grasslands
-Matt Wacker, EDAW consultant
Designing and implementing monitoring programs for vernal pool grasslands
-Dr. David Germano, California State University, Bakersfield
Managing exotic grasses and conserving declining species
-Dr. Barbara Allen-Diaz, University of California, Berkeley
Grazing impacts to Yosemite Toads on the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forest
-Theresa Ward, University of California Cooperative Extension
Riparian grazing strategies and their impact on riparian health
-David Riensche, East Bay Regional Park District
Lizard abundance in managed California grassland
-Joe DiDonato, East Bay Regional Park District
Endangered amphibian research on grazed lands
-Dr. Barbara Allen-Diaz, University of California, Berkeley
Long-term grazing study in spring-fed wetlands reveals tradeoffs
-Dr. Larry Ford, Rangeland Management and Conservation Science Consultant
The Central Coast Rangeland Coalition's rangeland ecosystem health indicators project
-Michele Hammond, University of California, Berkeley
Effects of vegetation structure as a result of grazing on grassland songbirds
-Stephanie Larson, Oregon State University
Grazing sinuosity - determining where cattle will graze based on where they have been
-Dr. Wolfgang Pitroff, University of California, Davis
Prescribing herbivory for fire fuels management
-Dr. Susan Marshall's Lab- Humboldt State University
Measuring soil compaction as a result of grazing and its impact on perennial native grasses
-Dan Macon, Land Trust
Grazing for change: highlighting Californian ranchers grazing for conservation
Cal-Pac Society for Range Management (SRM) will electronically publish proceedings of the symposium with acknowledgements to the Society for Conservation Biology.
For more information contact: Sheila Barry, UCCE Santa Clara, 408 282-3106.