Livestock Grazing on Public Lands: Unity for Political, Economic, and Ecological Reasons

Abstract

The increased pressure on public lands due to conflicting interests, combined with the increased concern on the part of each individual for the environment, makes it imperative that each land use alternative be carefully examined. Decisions on land use must take into consideration the economic importance of the ranching industry to the nation, the social and political climate of the times, and most importantly, sound ecological principles. A careful examination of long-range research can only lead to the conclusion that: (1) on vast areas of public lands, livestock grazing, under proper management, is compatible with other uses, (2) on a limited number of sites, grazing by domestic livestock is detrimental to the resources and competitive with other uses, and (3) on other sites, grazing by livestock can be the most beneficial use to society for economic, social, and ecological reasons.