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
