Viewpoint: Range Science and Range Management are Complementary but Distinct Endeavors

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Range Management

Volume

44

Issue

2

Publisher

Society for Range Management

Publication Date

1991

First Page

181

Last Page

183

Abstract

Range management and range science are complementary but distinct endeavors. Range management is an attempt to optimize returns from rangelands in combinations desired by and suitable for society through the manipulation of range ecosystems (Stoddart et al. 1975). As such, range management is a planning process in which alternative management options are exposed to the decision-maker's values, and the option with the highest value is selected. Range science is the body of scientific knowledge upon which range management should be based. As such, range science should be the set of concepts and ideas that agree or are consistent with how natural processes operate. Both are necessary for wise use of range resources. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the roles of planning and science in range management, to provide examples of biological processes important in range management, and to discuss the role of range science in understanding those processes.

Comments

Originally published by the Society for Range Management. Publisher's PDF available through remote link.

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