Abstract
Biodiversity is not just one phenomenon but is a concept cluster that involves many facets of biological variety. These facets include taxonomic richness; genetic differences within each taxon; the communities, ecosystems, and landscapes organisms occupy; and the knowledge of nature local people living on the land possess. Biodiversity is prized for a variety of intertwined moral, aesthetic, and practical reasons. The role of biodiversity in the globe's life-support systems is poorly understood but probably pivotal. The world's rangelands possess biodiversity out of proportion to their area or productivity. Livestock grazing may influence biodiversity either positively or negatively depending on what is being valued. It is impossible to maximize simultaneously all features of biodiversity. Therefore, management of rangelands to favor certain aspects of biodiversity will require compromise.
Recommended Citation
West, Neil E.
(1995)
"Biodiversity on rangelands: Definitions and values,"
Natural Resources and Environmental Issues: Vol. 4, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/nrei/vol4/iss1/2
