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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Boise, Idaho » Northwest Watershed Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #94963
Title: SIMULATION MODELS AND MANAGEMENT OF RANGELAND ECOSYSTEMS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

Author
item Hanson, Clayton
item WIGHT, J - ARS (RETIRED)
item Slaughter, Charles
item Pierson Jr, Frederick
item SPAETH, KENNETH - NRCS

Submitted to: Rangelands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Rangeland ecosystems on public and private lands are subject to increasing pressures to meet multiple-use objectives, while managers and management techniques and plans on those same lands are subject to heightened public scrutiny. Innovative analytical and management tools, including simulation models and decision support systems, are needed to meet the multi-faceted challenges of analysis and management of heterogenous rangeland ecosystems. Simulation models have become important tools in the management of cultivated lands; by contrast, simulation models, while available, have not been widely employed in management of rangelands. Rangeland ecosystem process models have advanced from the original concepts and development to the current high level of sophistication, applicability and utility. The question remains whether such models are now viable management tools which could or should be more widely employed. The information presented shows that there are models available that can be used as aids to managing rangelands.

Technical Abstract: Rangeland ecosystems on public and private lands are subject to increasing pressures to meet multiple-use objectives, while managers and management techniques and plans on those same lands are subject to heightened public scrutiny. Innovative analytical and management tools, including simulation models and decision support systems, are needed to meet the multi-faceted challenges of analysis and management of heterogenous rangeland ecosystems. Simulation models have become important tools in the management of cultivated lands; by contrast, simulation models, while available, have not been widely employed in management of rangelands. Rangeland ecosystem process modeling has advanced from the pioneering Ecosystem Level Model (ELM) to a current high level of sophistication, applicability and utility. The question remains whether such models are now viable management tools which could or should be more widely employed. A symposium at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management addressed this question. This paper summarizes the symposium and provides a current reference for natural resources modeling activities associated with rangeland ecosystem management.