Livestock & Wildlife Interaction

Interactions

Negative Positive

It Depends on….?

Potential Positive Impacts

Proper management Maintain water quality Improve forage quality for wildlife Manage habitat and cover for wildlife

Increased wildlife populations NRCS photo

NRCS photo

http://forestandrange.org/modules/livestockwildlife/edu/Presentation6.ppt

Potential Positive Impacts

Water quality Riparian and meadow communities considered

critical habitat in temperate zones Available drinking water High quality forages

Livestock grazing can maintain water quality Light or moderate grazing = no impact

Potential Positive Impacts

Improved Forage Quality Small mammal &

upland game birds Energy-rich seeds Vegetation Cover Forbs Grasshoppers

http://forestandrange.org/modules/livestockwildlife/edu/Presentation6.ppt

Potential Positive Impacts

Improved Habitat Grazing – patchy, mosaic pattern

Feeding, nesting, and hiding sites Encouraged establishment of shrubs

Ground squirrels and small rodents Birds of prey

Selective grazing Create travel corridors Remove rank grass

NRCS photo

http://forestandrange.org/modules/livestockwildlife/edu/Presentation6.ppt

Potential Negative Impacts

Improper Grazing Reduced nest sites for upland game and

waterfowl Decreased water quality Trampled nests for waterfowl Disturbed big game during fawning Reduced cover that permits wildlife to hide

from predators Reduced native fish populations

http://forestandrange.org/modules/livestockwildlife/edu/Presentation6.ppt

Potential Negative Impacts

Disease transmission Animal health is important to agricultural industry

and wildlife conservation

Properly Managed Grazing Create patchy habitat with high structural

diversity. Open up dense vegetation canopies Reduce coarse grass & improve quality Stimulate browse production by reducing grass

biomass Use livestock to manage weeds and fire risk Create bare ground for feeding, dusting, and

display areas

“Irresponsible Grazing”

Reduce nest sites for upland game birds & wildlife

Trample nests Disturb big game during fawning Reduce wildlife hiding cover Reduce forage for ungulates Reduce floral diversity Attract predators, parasites, or disease

Effects of Ranches on Wildlife Water

Water sources for cattle provide water for wildlife. Fences

Can provide perches for birds, but also barriers of ungulates and low-flying birds.

Large blocks of land Areas without roads and development is generally

good for wildlife. Weed control

Ranchers control weeds and benefit habitat. Disturbance

Ranching activities can disturb wildlife.

Grazing systems can:

Use strategic rest or deferment to improve nesting cover

Remove livestock from fawning areas to reduce disturbance

Heavy stock in some pasture to create “weedy” patches

Stocking other pastures with moderate rates to create high quality regrowth

Example: Ranching and Wildlife