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