Visions for large landscape drought resilience in rangelands

Abstract

Droughts have varied impacts on social and ecological rangeland systems in the Northern Rockies region of the United States. We used a participatory methodology, grounded in local conditions and including multiple stakeholder groups, to create visions for increased drought resilience. Visions for increased drought resilience were focused on three themes: sustaining ranching livelihoods, supporting functioning ecosystems, and building social connections. Participatory research suggests drought interventions must consider the local context of resources and vulnerabilities in order to enact sustainable and acceptable future change.