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This PowerPoint guide provides an overview of multiple uses and values of rangelands, including livestock production, wildlife habitat, water resources, minerals, native plant products, recreation, open space, and western heritage.
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Teacher Information! • Necessary materials: • PowerPoint Guide
Values of Rangelands Rangelands, Forests, & Fire
Students will be able to… • Define multiple use • Identify and discuss the benefits and uses of rangeland
Multiple Use • Because rangelands have many important uses, most rangelands are managed under principles of multiple-use • Several uses or values of rangeland are managed simultaneously with care to avoid overuse or destruction of natural resources.
What is rangeland good for? • Livestock production • Wildlife habitat • Water • Minerals (oil, coal, sulfur) • Native plant products • Recreation • Open space • Western Heritage
Livestock Production • Livestock production on rangeland is very important to supply meat for American and World populations and also for leather, wool, mohair, and other products that livestock yield. • Range livestock production is Idaho’s major agricultural activity in terms of land used and cash receipts • What are the main range livestock species?
Wildlife Habitat • Rangelands provide habitat for countless mammals, birds, amphibians, fishes, and insects. • Of the total number of animal species found in the United States • 84% of the mammals, • 74% of the birds, • 58% of the amphibians and • 38% of the fishes are represented in rangeland ecosystems.
Water • Most of the water in the streams and river of Idaho fell initially on rangeland or forests. Therefore, proper management of rangeland requires careful attention to the amount & quality of water that flows off rangeland
Minerals • Idaho hosts a wide array of mineral resources • Gold in north, central and southern Idaho • Silver, lead and zinc in the north • Molybdenum and cobalt in central Idaho • Phosphate in southeast Idaho UI Special Collections BLM/Idaho
Native Plant Products • Eating Wild on Public Lands! • A variety of wild foods are found in Idaho • Camas • Huckleberries • Pinenuts William & Wilma Follette @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Recreation • Rangelands are increasingly important for recreational uses such as: • Hiking • Hunting • Camping • Mountain biking • Cross-country skiing • Snowmobiling
Open Space • People in the west value open space • Livestock ranches are becoming “working wilderness” to maintain biodiversity and wildlife habitat quality • Environmentally concerned citizens have paid ranchers to maintain open space through scenic easements
Western Heritage • Legacy of the Cowboy • Long-history of ranching families in Idaho
Review • Can you… • Define multiple use? • Identify and discuss the benefits and uses of rangeland?