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| What is Healthy Rangeland? |
| Healthy rangelands have a great diversity of plant and animal species. They are dominated by perennial plants rather than annuals. Healthy rangelands have a minimum of erosion because the soil surface has sufficient plant cover to protect it from the impact of rain. This plant cover also slows the movement of water across the soil surface so that it has time to soak into the soil. Healthy rangelands produce a variety of herbaceous forage for livestock and wildlife. And, most important, the ecological processes on healthy rangelands (hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle and energy flow) function well and support healthy plants and animals. |
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| What is Unhealthy Rangeland? |
| Unhealthy rangelands have more annual than perennial plants and inadequate plant cover. They are prone to excessive erosion by wind and water. As soil is washed from the surface of the ground it accumulates as sediment in streams, rivers and lakes. Erosion makes the land less productive and less able to support diverse populations of plants and animals. Less water infiltrates the soil to recharge underground aquifers. Unhealthy rangeland has far less value for livestock and wildlife. In many cases the effects of poor management that make rangeland unhealthy are irreversible. |
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| What are the Warning Signs? |
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