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Home / Equine Research Bank / Environ Manage / Adapting to climate change on Western public lands: addressi...
Environmental management2012; 51(2); 474-491; doi: 10.1007/s00267-012-9964-9

Adapting to climate change on Western public lands: addressing the ecological effects of domestic, wild, and feral ungulates.

Abstract: Climate change affects public land ecosystems and services throughout the American West and these effects are projected to intensify. Even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, adaptation strategies for public lands are needed to reduce anthropogenic stressors of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to help native species and ecosystems survive in an altered environment. Historical and contemporary livestock production-the most widespread and long-running commercial use of public lands-can alter vegetation, soils, hydrology, and wildlife species composition and abundances in ways that exacerbate the effects of climate change on these resources. Excess abundance of native ungulates (e.g., deer or elk) and feral horses and burros add to these impacts. Although many of these consequences have been studied for decades, the ongoing and impending effects of ungulates in a changing climate require new management strategies for limiting their threats to the long-term supply of ecosystem services on public lands. Removing or reducing livestock across large areas of public land would alleviate a widely recognized and long-term stressor and make these lands less susceptible to the effects of climate change. Where livestock use continues, or where significant densities of wild or feral ungulates occur, management should carefully document the ecological, social, and economic consequences (both costs and benefits) to better ensure management that minimizes ungulate impacts to plant and animal communities, soils, and water resources. Reestablishing apex predators in large, contiguous areas of public land may help mitigate any adverse ecological effects of wild ungulates.
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Publication Date: 2012-11-15 PubMed ID: 23151970DOI: 10.1007/s00267-012-9964-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research focuses on the impact of climate change on public lands in the American West, emphasizing on the adverse effects from livestock production and wild animal populations, and suggests adaptation strategies to mitigate these effects.

Overview of Research

  • The researchers investigated the impact of climate change on public land ecosystems across the American West. They explored how livestock production, a long-term and widespread commercial use of public lands, affects the vegetation, soil, hydrology, and composition and abundance of wildlife.
  • The study highlights that these effects are likely to worsen as climate change intensifies. The impact is not only from commercial livestock but also from high populations of native ungulates such as deer or elk and feral horses and burros.
  • Consideration is given to the fact that even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, climate change effects will still necessitate the development and implementation of adaptation strategies to mitigate anthropogenic stressors on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This could help native species survive in an altered environment.

Key Findings and Recommendations

  • The study found that removing or reducing livestock across large public land areas could alleviate these impacts and make these regions less vulnerable to climate change. Where livestock farming continues, or significant densities of wild or feral ungulates exist, the research underscores the importance of thorough documentation of ecological, social, and economic consequences for better management.
  • The researchers recommend reestablishing apex predators in large, public land areas to help control any adverse effects from wild ungulates. Apex predators, at the top of the food chain, can regulate the population of ungulates, and therefore, their environmental effects.
  • The research highlights the urgency of developing new management strategies to mitigate threats from ungulates in a changing climate, ensuring long-term ecosystem services on public lands.

Cite This Article

APA
Beschta RL, Donahue DL, DellaSala DA, Rhodes JJ, Karr JR, O'Brien MH, Fleischner TL, Deacon Williams C. (2012). Adapting to climate change on Western public lands: addressing the ecological effects of domestic, wild, and feral ungulates. Environ Manage, 51(2), 474-491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-012-9964-9

Publication

Environmental management
ISSN: 1432-1009
NlmUniqueID: 7703893
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 2
Pages: 474-491

Researcher Affiliations

Beschta, Robert L
  • Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. robert.beschta@oregonstate.edu
Donahue, Debra L
    DellaSala, Dominick A
      Rhodes, Jonathan J
        Karr, James R
          O'Brien, Mary H
            Fleischner, Thomas L
              Deacon Williams, Cindy

                MeSH Terms

                • Biodiversity
                • Climate Change
                • Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
                • Ecosystem

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                Citations

                This article has been cited 23 times.
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