Boyle, M.

Brown, G.

Kirychuk, B.

Luciuk, G.

Sonntag, B.

English

University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky UKnowledge International Grassland Congress Proceedings XXI International Grassland Congress / VIII International Rangeland Congress Too Many People, Too Many Animals for Too Little Grass-‐a Canadian Perspective G. Luciuk Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada M. Boyle Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada G. Brown Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada B. Kirychuk Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada B. Sonntag Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc  Part of the Plant Sciences Commons, and the Soil Science Commons This document is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/21/20-1/7 The XXI International Grassland Congress / VIII International Rangeland Congress took place in Hohhot, China from June 29 through July 5, 2008. Proceedings edited by Organizing Committee of 2008 IGC/IRC Conference Published by Guangdong People's Publishing House This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Soil Sciences at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Grassland Congress Proceedings by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact UKnowledge@lsv.uky.edu. 　 Multifunctional Grasslands in a Changing World 　 Volume Ⅱ 　 瞯 ]1003　 瞯Grasslands/Rangelands People and Policies ——— Institutional Innovations for the Conservation of Grasslands/Rangelands BiodiversityToo many people ,too many animals for too little grass‐a Canadian perspectiveG . Luciuk1 , M . Boy le2 , G . Brown2 , B . K irychuk 2 , and B . Sonntag11 A A FC‐PFRA ( retired) ; 2 A A FC‐PFRA , 1801 Rose Street , Regina , SK , Canada S4P4L2Key words : range conservation , grassland , rangeland , BMP摧s , biodiversity , sustainable developmentAbstract Canada摧s agricultural land base contains １５ .３９ million hectares of rangeland defined as �natural land for pasture�.Some ８７％ of this range is in the three Canadian Prairie Provinces . This production region encompasses roughly ５７ millionhectares situated within the Mixed and Tall‐grass Prairie , Aspen Parkland , and Boreal T ransition eco‐regions . The eco‐regionsoverlie some of the most agriculturally productive land in North America and are one of the most highly altered and fragmentedecosystems in the world . Institutional participation by government and NGO摧s is a very significant in rangeland conservationand management . For example , in the highly fragile rangelands of Southwest Saskatchewan , institutional land control affectsup to ４６％ of the total range . A national immigration policy in the early ２０th century for settlement of western Canada had scantappreciation of the fragile nature of the landscape . The result was too many settlers who lacked the appropriate agriculturalskills situated on land areas not suitable for cultivated agriculture with the available technology and knowledge . An economic ,social and ecological disaster ensued within about two decades . The road to recovery was long and arduousCanada摧s experience in balancing the needs of society , livestock production and range landscapes parallels the challenge in otherparts of the world of �too many people , too many animals for too little grass" . Appropriate use of rangeland in the prairieregion is one of the best expressions of sustainable agriculture in Canada today . Four phases characterize the evolution ofsustainable rangeland development‐initial development and settlement , social disruption precipitated by economic andenvironmental crises , period of reclamation followed by an emphasis on range and livestock productivity increases and , mostrecently , a broadened institutional approach based on technology and policy adaptations . A major response to the drought andeconomic impacts of the １９３０摧s was the creation of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration ( PFRA ) CommunityPastures . This program has evolved into an internationally acknowledged model of sustainable land management integral to theachievement of Canada摧s biodiversity objectives . The program rehabilitated and conserved nearly one million hectares of severelyeroded and drought prone lands representing Canada摧s largest reclamation efforts of native prairie . Today native vegetationdominates about ８５％ of the PFRA rangelands that are uniquely valued as some of the largest remaining tracts of contiguousnative grasslands .The carrying capacity of western Canadian rangelands ( private and public) continues to improve in response to institutional andtechnological innovations . At the same time , societal demands have increased with respect to the additional public goods arisingfrom healthy rangelands such as biodiversity , research sites , ecosystem conservation , C sequestration , endangered specieshabitat , and recreation . Rangeland managers are challenged to accommodate such additional and competing societal goals whilemaintaining farm level profitability . Broadened demands on rangelands have fostered innovations in science technology ,institutional partnerships and tools for improved education and awareness to enhance range productivity and biodiversityconservation . Recent institutional approaches and successes are outlined .Canada摧s experience with people , livestock , grasslands and policy innovation has played a direct role in internationaldevelopment cooperation projects . The China‐Canada Sustainable Agricultural Development Project Phase II seeks to supportGlobal Environment Fund targets for land degradation reduction , biodiversity and climate change . However , in the contex t of�too many people , too many animals for too little grass" , significant institutional innovation will be required to replicateCanadian successes in land reclamation and adaptation of new knowledge . Particular focus will be required on policy andinstitutional arrangements affecting land tenure , independent farmer associations , effective rural financial services and publicinvestment in extension and awareness systems at the local level . As in Canada , the ultimate success will lie in the ability offarmers and ranchers to realize the complementarities between social , economic and environmental goals for rangeland andbiodiversity protection and conservation .

Too Many People, Too Many Animals for Too Little Grass-‐a Canadian Perspective

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3830&context=igc

Too Many People, Too Many Animals for Too Little Grass-‐a Canadian Perspective

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