Rangelands classified based on climate, soils and vegetation are frequently called ecological sites.

Ecoregions cover large areas of land or water and contain geographically distinct assembleges of species and natural communites.

Other classification systems exist for special situations such as riparian areas, wetlands, and stream channels.

Riparian and wetland systems vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance.

A system of classification that involves grouping streams and wetlands by specified characteristics to serve specific goals.

An extended period of low precipitation that suppress plant growth.

Natural and man-caused disturbances significantly influence the diversity and composition of plant communities.

Nutrient cycling is the process by which nutrients, particularly carbon and nitrogen, are cycled through the atmosphere, soil, water, plants, and animals.

Succession is the natural biological progression of a system through time, which progresses until another disturbance changes the trajectory of the system. State and transition models describe vegetation dynamics on specific ecological sites.

A measurement that depicts the number and relative proportions of species in a community or ecosystem.

The process of estimating or evaluating the value or functional status of rangelands.

Ability of rangeland ecosystems to provide a desired mix of benefits to the present generation without compromising their ability to provide benefits for future generations.

Understanding the fundamentals of plant growth, how plants compete for available resources, and reproductive strategies of plants is critical for effective vegetation management.

Many introduced, non-native plant species are valuable as forage for livestock and wildlife and for restoration of degraded rangeland sites. Many non-native are non-invasive and offer valuable forage potential.

Invasive weeds are those plants, usually non-native, that are able to outcompete and displace desirable plant species within a community.

Rangeland plants provide important nutrients including protein, minerals, and energy, for wild and domestic grazing animals.

Techniques and tools, such as dichotamous keys, are useful to identify plants. Plant identification is the process of determining the name of the plant using the characteristics of the plant, i.e., leaves, stems and flowers.

Plants that, when consumed, can have a mild to lethal poisonous affect on animals.

The response of animals to the abundance and/or distribution (in space and time), or changes in the abundance and distrubution of beneficial (e.g. food, water, cover) and harmful (e.g. predators, changing land uses) components of their environment.

Grazing animals, wild or domestic, depend on the nutritional characteristics of rangeland plants to meet their dietary demand. Several factors contribute to the nutritional quality of range plants consumed by grazing animals including plant type (grass, forb, shrub), genetics, stage of growth, plant part, and environmental conditions. Proper nutrition is essential for good rangeland animal health.

Information about fish and amphibians found in western rangelands.

Information about insects and other invertebrates, such as spiders and mites, found in western rangelands.

Livestock-wildlife interactions on rangelands can be competitive, complimentary, or neutral.

Wildlife inclues non-domesticated mammals, birds and reptiles.

The broader group of animals, known as the Kingdom Animalia, included vertebrates and invertebrates

Invasive species often cause negative social, economic, and environmental impacts. If these become significant, managers may desire to control the species. Economists seek to value the costs and benefits of these control practices.

Microscopic organisms; includes fungi, bacteria and viruses; some are pathogens and cause disease in plants or animals.

Invasive weeds are those plants that are able to outcompete and displace desirable plant species within a plant community.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern invasive species.

Information about endangered animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and insects, found in western rangelands.

Many rangelands are home to endnagered species, both plant and animal. The conservation and protection of endangered species requires careful planning to ensure species values are preserved while rangelands are also being used and managed.

Information about endangered plants found in western rangelands.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern endangered species on private and public lands.

Information of how coordinated, strategic planning is developed and implemented in order to educe the occurrence and consequences of catastrophic wildland fire.

Information on the economic consequesces of wildland fires on rangeland, and the cost-benefit of prescribed fire as a vegetation management tool.

Approaches and methods to reduce excessive fine, dry vegetation that can cause and amplify the effects of prescribed and wild fire.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern the use of prescribed fire for vegetation management and the prevention of wildland fires on private and public lands.

Intentional, planned use of fire to alter vegetation at a site or in an area.

Different plant groups, i.e., grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees, respond in unique ways to wildfire. Understanding vegetation response to fire helps us manage plant communities and avoid catastrophic consequences of wildfire.

Unplanned fires in managed systems or natural areas that can be costly to control, and have catastrophic consequences to both natural resources, infrastructures, and recreation opportunities.

Grazing animals, wild or domestic, depend on the nutritional characteristics of rangeland plants to meet their dietary demand. Several factors contribute to the nutritional quality of range plants consumed by grazing animals including plant type (grass, forb, shrub), genetics, stage of growth, plant part, and environmental conditions. Proper nutrition is essential for good rangeland animal health.

Information relating to carrying capacity and stocking rates of range and pasturelands and their effects on vegetation and livestock management.

Grazing animals can have a significant impact on plants and the entire plant community, due to selective grazing, grazing intensity and frequency and the patterns of grazing.

Grazing management strategic selection of when, where, and how long livesotck graze on a management unit. Grazing management plans are created to accomplish ecological services or management outputs.

Developing and managing a system of information storage and retrieval that includes herd records and breeding program, feeding and supplementation program, and veterinaray and health records.

Livestock grazing can be managed in ways to limit impacts to streams, springs, lakes, and wetlands.

Livestock interact with wild ungulates and predators that use the same rangeland resources. These interactions may be positive, negative or of no-consequence to both the livestock and wildlife involved.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern the management of livestock grazing, recreation and wildlife resources.

Government and non-government sources of funding are avilable to assist in managing reangelands to preserve or improve habitat for wildlife.

Rangeland vegetation can be carefully altered to make the land more suitable for wildlife.

Each species of wildlife has its own specific needs for food, water, cover and space.

Wildlife can thrive on ranches with or without livestock grazing. Abundant populations of healthy wildlife are a primary goal for many ranches.

Human recreation can be managed in ways to limit environmental impacts to plants, soils, water and wildlife.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern recreational use of western rangelands.

Photography, bird watching, nature walks, hunting and fishing, and horseback riding are some examples of recreational opportunities on private ranches. Recreation can help ranchers diversify their income to improve ranch profitability.

State and federal agencies sometimes charge user fees for recreational use of public rangelands.

Ways to enhance the quality of recreation and to limit the environmental impacts caused by hikers, pack stock and vehicles on roads and trails.

Grasses and forbs can be produced and harvested to produce ethanol and biodiesel, and shrubs and small trees can be harvested for fuel-wood.

Rangelands can be valuable sources of coal, oil, and natural gas. Extraction of these below ground resources can be compatible with other rangeland uses, with approaches to limit environmental damage.

Ecological effects and ways to limit environmental damage when minerals are extracted from beneath rangelands.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern the extraction of minerals and energy development in western rangelands.

Rangelands can be valuable sources of wind and hydro-electric power. Developing these resources can be compatible with other rangeland uses.

The objectives of fire fuels management are to decrease or eliminate excessive fine, dry vegetation that are prone to carrying a fire.

The objectives of improving forage resources are to increase available forage for livestock grazing, allow multi-species grazing, and increasing palatability and productivity.

The objectives of invasive weed management are to reduce, eliminate, or prevent non-native plants that invade rangeland plant communities.

Restoring native plant communites may aimed at preserve or enhance biodiveristy and/or restore ecosystem function.

Riparian and wetland systems vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance.

Wildlife habitat is managed to protect, converve or improve cover for wildlife.

A herbicide is a specifically formulated chemical pesticide designed to kill weeds. Selective herbicides kill specific targets while leaving the desired vegetation unharmed.

Techniques and tools to physically and mechanically manipulate the rangeland to manage vegetation and restore plant communities.

The techniques and tools for planting and seedings include seedbed preparation, species selection, planting techniques and follow-up management.

Prescribed burning is the Intentional, planned use of fire to alter vegetation at a site or in an area.

Prescribed Livestock Grazing is the strategic manipulation of the timing, intensity, and distribution of grazing animals to achieve a desired goal. It can be a highly effective measure to control invasive weeds on rangelands; especially when combined with other management and control techniques.

Using tools designed to improve the shoreline stability, vegetation quality and quantity, and water quality of streams, springs, wetlands, etc.

Describes general temperature and precipitation regimes and patterns over time which are important determinants of landscape and vegetation characteristics.

Standardized manuals and guidelines describing different objectives, methods and analysis of rangeland inventory information.

The use of rangeland is not restricted to livestock. Wildlife, recreation, soil and mineral, and cultural values are different uses of rangeland that can be included together.

Rangeland soil inventory is a process of gathering information about the soil properties such as soil depth, pH, surface characteristics, and texture.

Vegetation inventory is the process of gathering and analyzing information about biological and physical rangeland resources. It establishes the condition of the rangeland resource at a given time.

Examples of where programs or protocols have been successfully applied to site-specific rangeland monitoring.

Standardized manuals and guidelines describing different objectives, methods and analysis of rangeland monitoring information.

Recording the time, duration and intensity of grazing over time serves to explain the amount of grazing pressure, can guide management decisisons, and may be correlated to long term vegetation changes.

Most rangeland monitoring is conducted by public land management agencies and private land holders. Some consultants offer these services commercially.

Sequential photography of selected rangeland sites taken from the same location over time. Photo points can be a powerful tool to access vegetation changes over time.

Remote sensing is the process of obtaining information on vegetation attributes from a distance. Ground truthing is the use of field measurements to validate or calibrate remotely sensed data. These monitoring methods enable accurate monitoring of vegetation over large, geographic areas.

Monitoring riparian areas involves monitoring vegetation, water quality and possibly aquatic organisms, used to evalaute the health and condition of the riparian environment.

Monitoring attributes of vegetation and soils such as plant community diversity and composition, species distribution, soil texture, depth, and nutrient values provides a wealth of valuable information when assessing the condition of rangelands.

Assessing climate change over time involves measuring precipitation, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed. Weather measurements can help to explain annual changes in vegetation.

Ecological sites describe land productive potential in terms of kind and amount of vegetation. State and transition models describe vegetation dynamics on specific ecological sites. These systems help managers understand ecosystem processes and guide management decision making.

A system of classification that involves grouping streams and wetlands by specific attributes and characteristics.

Vegetation in riparian and wetland systems varies widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, and other factors, including human disturbance.

Many classification systems are available to identify and characterize habitats and plant communities.

An agricultural subsidy is a governmental subsidy paid to farmers to supplement their income, manage the supply of agricultural commodities, and influence the cost and supply of such commodities on international markets.

Alternative enterprises allow farmers and ranchers to earn higher profits by replacing or supplementing traditional farm operations with innovative on-farm or on-ranch ventures.

Financial record keeping is vital to the opeartion of the ranch. The system of record keeping houses the financial information for all aspects of ranch and farm management. The information is used to monitor and manage finances, and plan future ranch operations.

The amount a livestock producer pays another landowner or the state or federal government for grazing public or private rangeland. The AUM rental rate charged to producers is derived from a standardized formula.

Cattle, sheep, goats, and reindeer are commonly grazed on public and private rangelands. Comparisons of livestock numbers over time are useful in economic and environmental analyses.

The system of analyzing, evaluating and predicting the revenue streams associated with livestock production.

Ranch budgets include descriptions of typical production practices, costs of those practices and returns from the sale of the product.

The process of identifying and evaluating current ranch resources and operations, defining short- and long-term ranch goals, developing and implementing ways to achieve the ranch goals, and monitoring, evaluating, and updating existing ranch plans.

Invasive species often cause negative social, economic, and environmental impacts. There are a myriad of practices that can be implimented to mitigate the impact of invasive species, each practice has direct and indirect costs.

The costs and benefits associated with the use of herbicides to improve rangeland plant communities, particularly when compared to other weed control practices.

The use of planned physical disturbance to kill growing plants and/or prevent seeds from surviving to the next growing season.

Economic aspects of rangeland revegetation programs, including planting and seeding, to improve rangeland plant communties.

Prescribed fire is the strategic manipulation of fire to manage vegetation and can be an important rangeland improvement practice. The cost of using prescribed fire needs to be weighed against the cost of other improvement practices.

Prescribed livestock grazing is the strategic manipulation of the timing, intensity, and distribution of grazing animals to achieve a desired goal. It can be a highly effective practice to improve rangeland soil, water and vegetation resources.

Economic aspects of stream restoration practices include manipulating vegetation, reducing sedimentation and soil erosion, and carfeully managing livestock grazing.

Managing public lands requires a major financial investment. Ranchers pay a fluctuating, AUM-based grazing fee for their grazing leases and permits for their use of public rangeland.

Managing public lands requires a major financial investment. Recreationists using public land, including trails, campgrounds, hunting and fishing, pay a fee to defer these costs.

The revenue federal agencies pay to local and state governments in lieu of property taxes. The program is intended to help offset lost tax revenue.

Consumer driven marketing that is intended to capture additional profit margins for the ranch, and are additive in the value of the ranch.

Conservation easements are legally binding purchases or donations of certain development rights on private rangelands. Open space values appear to increase as our population grows.

Market values of ranches are based on recent real estate sales, and are a direct reflection of the demands in the rural land market. Market value appraisals vary according to the property's location, size, land use and other characteristics.

The amount a livestock grazer pays to the government or private landowner for the right and privilege of grazing. The economic value of the permit is transferrable and are included in the value of the ranch.

An economic term used to describe the inter-relationships among various sectors of the economy. An example is the impact of residential or commercial development on rangeland value.

Impact analysis is a decision support system which combines methods of decision support, risk analysis and strategic planning.

Many rangelands have quique sites or special resources that are culturally valuable to Native Americans for ceremonial purposes, for hunting and gathering, or living. Often artifacts can be found at sacred sites. These sites continue to have cultural values and can be held sacred.

Ways to describe and communicate about rangelands that are non-scientific, and do not rely on environmental or ecological rationale for their value.

The public has interest in how rangelands are managed, particularly public rangelands used for livestock grazing. These interests are expressed in their perception in favor or not in favor of existing management tactics.

Way-of-life values generally focus on people that live near rangelands or seek to make a living through ranching. While ranchers seek to be successful, profit is often not the main reason that they continue to live on the land and operate the ranch.

As towns expand into rangelands and human population increases, a variety of issues arise over conflicting land uses, changes in social values, and increasing human pressure on the land.

Conservation easements are legally binding purchases or donations of certain development rights on private rangelands. Open space is land designated for multiple use, whose values appear to increase as our population grows.

Grazing management strategic selection of when, where, and how long livesotck graze on a management unit. Grazing management plans are created to accomplish ecological services or management outputs.

Many rangelands are home to endangered species, both plant and animal. The conservation and protection of endangered species requires careful planning to ensure species values are preserved while rangelands are also being used and managed.

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The process of creating goals, objectives, management and monitoring methods with the intent of altering the ecosystem to acheive specific vegetation and ecosystem goals.

Ranch planning ensures the vitality and efficient operation of the ranching operation. There are many techniques and tools available to the rancher owner or manager to facilitate the planning process.

Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) is a stakeholder consensus decision-making process. In this process, stakeholders weigh varoious management options and arrive at decisions based on the overall mission and goals of the program.

Strategic planning for vegetation and other resource planning reduces the occurrence and consequences of catastrophic wildland fire.

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Many rangeland are home to endangered species, both plant and animal. The conservation and protection of endangered species requires careful planning to ensure species values are preserved while rangelands are also being used and managed.

The area on the fringe of dense urban development that interfaces with rangeland or undeveloped areas, often where conflicting land use values and goals are contested. Coordinated planning of these areas enables stakeholder input and ensures protection of homes, buildings and other structures.

The local development of watershed plans for managing water resources and for protecting existing water rights is vital to both state and local interests.

Weed management plans adopt long-term strategies for control and management of invasive weeds that have objectives for specific outcomes, such as preventing the introduction and continuing spread of undesirable plant species, thus protecting the environment and the natural ecosystems.

Grazing allotments are parcels or designeated areas of rangeland leased or permitted to a livestock grazer. Their use is planned and monitored to maintain sustainable production and rangeland health.

Land use planning is the term used for a branch of public policy which encompasses various disciplines which seek to order and regulate the use of land in an efficient and ethical way.

Local, state and federal rules and regulations that govern the development and implementation of rangeland use planning.