Location: Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research
Project Number: 2056-21500-001-007-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: May 1, 2024
End Date: Apr 30, 2027
Objective:
White bark pine forests help sustain high elevation ecosystem structure and functions that support biodiversity and livelihood outcomes throughout their range. However, white bark pine is threatened by climate change and disease, and the species has recently been listed as threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In Idaho and Montana, public lands grazing permittees may graze cattle or sheep on summer ranges that include white bark pine stands, but little is known about the interactions between public lands grazing and white bark systems. This project will 1) Enhance long-term sustainability of high elevation rangelands by co-developing a “prototype” a white bark pine friendly ranching certification with ranchers and conservation groups based on social and ecological data; 2) Enhance trust, social networks, and scientific knowledge among ranchers, conservation interests, and land managers and scientists.
Approach:
1. Conduct remote sensing and ground truth mapping of white bark pine stands in active livestock grazing allotments.
2. Conduct replicated sheep grazing experiment to determine preferences and consumption of the seedlings.
3. Conduct oral histories to map local knowledge of long-term ecological change.
4. Co-produce prototype white bark pine friendly ranching criteria for review by stakeholders.
5. Develop on-line materials and in-person outreach activities to disseminate research findings.
