Livestock grazing management [Chapter 7]

Part 1 of the Science Framework identifies livestock grazing as the most widespread land use in the sagebrush biome (Chambers et al. 2017a; hereafter, Part 1). In the Conservation Objectives Team Report (USDOI FWS 2013) improper livestock grazing is considered a present and widespread threat to Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter, GRSG) for most GRSG populations. Livestock grazing affects the composition and structure of plant communities across the sagebrush biome and, consequently, the habitats of GRSG, other species at risk, and high value resources (Boyd et al. 2014). Livestock grazing can also affect habitat restoration efforts and thus the capacity to achieve broad-scale conservation and restoration goals.