Research Note: A survey of current range research activity

Abstract

Range scientist members of the Society for Range Management were surveyed to evaluate where research efforts have been concentrated in the recent past relative to current and future allocation of efforts, how research is funded, where it is published, how well the scientists perceive that clientele needs are met, and what obstacles scientists face. Range ecology and range improvements are the topics that were, and continue to be seen as the most important for investigation. Plant improvement, range watershed, range wildlife, and ecophysiology are important future research topics. In-house funding was the most frequent source of funds for all groups of range researchers. University scientists were the most likely to have other sources of funds. There are funding sources that may be underutilized. The 4 most frequently listed clients are livestock producers (73 listings), state and federal agencies (71), other scientists (46), and the private sector (27). Forest Service scientists appear to have the least restricted view of their clientele. Over 25% of the respondents felt that there were no client groups not being adequately served by range research. Others felt that livestock producers and the public were not being adequately served. The Journal of Range Management was the most frequently listed publication outlet followed by conference papers and symposium proceedings. Limited funding was the most frequently listed obstacle to doing research, followed by poor communication between researchers and clients, and the need for more interdisciplinary interaction.