Reducing Livestock Effects on Public Lands in the Western United States as the Climate Changes: A Reply to Svejcar et al.

Beschta et al. (2013) synthesized the ecological effects 41 of climate change and ungulate grazing on western public lands, grounding their recommendations in ecological considerations and federal agency legal authority and obligations. Svejcar et al. (2014) suggest that Beschta et al. (2013) neither “present a balanced synthesis of the scientific literature” nor “reflect the complexities associated with herbivore grazing.” Svejcar et al. (2014) “dispute the notion that eliminating [livestock] grazing will provide a solution to problems created by climate change,” although we made no such claim. Instead, Beschta et al. (2013: p. 474) indicate that removal or reduction of livestock across large areas of public land will reduce a pervasive ecological stress, diminishing cumulative impacts on these ecosystems under climate change. We respond to three livestock grazing issues raised by Svejcar et al. (2014): (1) legacy vs. contemporary effects, (2) fuels reduction and fire effects, and (3) grazing complexity and restoration.Keywords: Climate change, Public lands, Restoration, Ungulates, Livestock grazing, Biodiversit

Adapting to Climate Change on Western Public Lands: Addressing the Ecological Effects of Domestic, Wild, and Feral Ungulates

Climate change affects public land ecosystems and services throughout the American West and these effects are projected to intensify Even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced adaptation strategies for public lands are needed to reduce anthropogenic stressors of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to help native species and ecosystems survive in an altered environment Historical and contemporary livestock production \u27 the most widespread and longrunning commercial use of public lands \u27 can alter vegetation soils hydrology and wildlife species composition and abundances in ways that exacerbate the effects of climate change on these resources Excess abundance of native ungulates eg deer or elk and feral horses and burros add to these impacts Although many of these consequences have been studied for decades the ongoing and impending effects of ungulates in a changing climate require new management strategies for limiting their threats to the longterm supply of ecosystem services on public lands Removing or reducing livestock across large areas of public land would alleviate a widely recognized and longterm stressor and make these lands less susceptible to the effects of climate change Where livestock use continues or where significant densities of wild or feral ungulates occur management should carefully document the ecological social and economic consequences both costs and benefits to better ensure management that minimizes ungulate impacts to plant and animal communities soils and water resources Reestablishing apex predators in large contiguous areas of public land may help mitigate any adverse ecological effects of wild ungulate

Adapting to Climate Change on Western Public Lands: Addressing the Ecological Effects of Domestic, Wild, and Feral Ungulates

Climate change affects public land ecosystems and services throughout the American West and these effects are projected to intensify. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, adaptation strategies for public lands are needed to reduce anthropogenic stressors of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to help native species and ecosystems survive in an altered environment. Historical and contemporary livestock production—the most widespread and long-running commercial use of public lands—can alter vegetation, soils, hydrology, and wildlife species composition and abundances in ways that exacerbate the effects of climate change on these resources. Excess abundance of native ungulates (e.g., deer or elk) and feral horses and burros add to these impacts. Although many of these consequences have been studied for decades, the ongoing and impending effects of ungulates in a changing climate require new ungulate management strategies for limiting threats to the long-term supply of ecosystem services on public lands. Removing or reducing livestock across large areas of public land would alleviate a widely recognized and long-term stressor and make these lands less susceptible to the effects of climate change. Where livestock use continues, or where significant densities of wild or feral ungulates occur, management should carefully document the ecological, social, and economic consequences (both costs and benefits) to better ensure management that minimizes ungulate impacts to plant and animal communities, soils, and water resources. Reestablishing apex predators in large, contiguous areas of public land may help mitigate any adverse ecological effects of wild ungulates.Keywords: Climate change, Ecosystems, Ungulates, Biodiversity, Restoration, Public land