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HEALTHY RANGELANDS —
SUSTAINABLE WORLD
The Society for Range Management assigned the theme "Healthy Rangelands — Sustainable World" to the 2025 National Meeting in Spokane, WA. In preparation for that meeting, our team explored what the theme means in the context of ecosystem health and services, global sustainability, and rangeland management practices.
WHAT DEFINES A HEALTHY RANGELAND?
Biodiversity: Diverse plant and animal communities that support ecosystem stability and resilience.
Soil Health: Fertile soils with proper structure, nutrient cycling, and water retention.
Water Resources: Functioning hydrological systems that sustain plant and animal life.
Vegetation Dynamics: Balance between grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees to support ecological function.
Disturbance Regimes: Appropriate levels of natural (e.g., fire) and managed (e.g., grazing) disturbances that maintain
ecosystem balance.
WHAT ECOSYSTEM SERVICES DO THEY PROVIDE?
Provisioning Services: Livestock forage, medicinal plants, clean water, and wildlife habitat.
Regulating Services: Carbon sequestration, erosion control, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.
Cultural Services: Recreational spaces, spiritual connections, importance to indigenous communities, and educational opportunities.
HOW DO RANGELANDS CONTRIBUTE TO
GLOBAL SUSTANABILITY?
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Climate Change Mitigation: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced carbon sinks.
Food Security: Sustainable livestock production and forage availability.
Biodiversity Conservation: Habitat protection for native species, including pollinators and food sources.
Resilience to Environmental Change: Adaptation to climate variability and extreme weather events.
HOW CAN WE PROTECT OUR RANGELANDS?
Sustainable Livestock Grazing: Proper grazing practices to prevent overuse and degradation.
Restoration Efforts: Active reclamation and revegetation of degraded lands.
Policy and Management: Evidence-based land-use policies promoting conservation and sustainable practices.
Cultural Practices: Respect for traditional land
management and stewardship practices.
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