Vulnerability of rangeland beef cattle production to climate‐induced NPP fluctuations in the US Great Plains

Klemm, Toni; Briske, David D.; Reeves, Matthew C.

doi:10.1111/gcb.15202

Cited by 20 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 68 publications

(116 reference statements)

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“…However, in Queensland, Australia, 17% of annual potential NPP of semi-arid rangeland is missing due to anthropogenic land degradation, with livestock grazing the most likely cause [71]. Similarly, in this study, the U.S. has an overall relatively low GI of 6.3% to 10.6%, but increasing frequency of deficit years due to climate variability may make it too risky to expand beef cattle production on rangeland [72]. Recent detailed examination of the combined effects of the PDO and ENSO on ANPP and herbivores in Colorado, USA [23], suggest, however, that the greater production and reduced variability in ANPP occur typically during warm PDO phases could be exploited with "herbivore densities above recommended levels".…”

Section: Global Gimentioning

confidence: 69%

Global Rangeland Primary Production and Its Consumption by Livestock in 2000–2010

2021

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Livestock grazing occupies ca. 25% of global ice-free land, removing large quantities of carbon (C) from global rangelands (here, including grass- and shrublands). The proportion of total livestock intake that is supplied by grazing (GP) is estimated at >50%, larger than the proportion from crop- and byproduct-derived fodders. Both rangeland productivity and its consumption through grazing are difficult to quantify, as is grazing intensity (GI), the proportion of annual aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) removed from rangelands by grazing livestock. We develop national or sub-national level estimates of GI and GP for 2000–2010, using remote sensing products, inventory data, and model simulations, and accounting for recent changes in livestock intake, fodder losses and waste, and national cropland use intensities. Over the 11 study years, multi-model average global rangeland ANPP varied between the values of 13.0 Pg C in 2002 and 13.96 Pg C in 2000. The global requirement for grazing intake increased monotonically by 18%, from 1.54 in 2000 to 1.82 Pg C in 2010. Although total global rangeland ANPP is roughly an order of magnitude larger than grazing demand, much of this total ANPP is unavailable for grazing, and national or sub-national deficits between intake requirements and available rangeland ANPP occurred in each year, totaling 36.6 Tg C (2.4% of total grazing intake requirement) in 2000, and an unprecedented 77.8 Tg C (4.3% of global grazing intake requirement) in 2010. After accounting for these deficits, global average GI ranged from 10.7% in 2000 to 12.6% in 2009 and 2010. The annually increasing grazing deficits suggest that rangelands are under significant pressure to accommodate rising grazing demand. Greater focus on observing, understanding, and managing the role of rangelands in feeding livestock, providing ecosystem services, and as part of the global C cycle, is warranted.

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Section: Global Gimentioning

confidence: 69%

Global Rangeland Primary Production and Its Consumption by Livestock in 2000–2010

2021

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“…Pyric herbivory leads to higher spatial heterogeneity of vegetation, which lessens the effects of rainfall variability over time, and has also been shown to reduce fuel loads on rangelands, leading to greater resilience to wildfire (Starns et al 2019). Mixed-species grazing (specifically, the addition of goats [Capra spp]) lessens the vulnerability of animal production systems to climate extremes (Klemm et al 2020).…”

Section: The Need For An Alternative Management Paradigmmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mixed‐species grazing (specifically, the addition of goats [ Capra spp]) lessens the vulnerability of animal production systems to climate extremes (Klemm et al . 2020).…”

Section: The Need For An Alternative Management Paradigmmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Saving imperiled grassland biomes by recoupling fire and grazing: a case study from the Great Plains

Wilcox

Fuhlendorf

Walker³

et al. 2021

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Woody plant encroachment -the conversion of open grasslands and savannas to woodlands -represents one of the gravest threats to grassland biomes worldwide. This is especially true for the Great Plains of the US. We contend that the widespread adoption of pyric herbivory (the synergistic application of fire and grazing) and mixed-species grazing (cattle [Bos taurus] and goats [Capra spp]) would not only make grasslands and savannas more resilient to woody plant encroachment but would also enhance the profitability and resiliency of livestock production systems. These management strategies control woody plants, increase biodiversity, improve grassland ecosystem function, and favor livestock production. Although this management paradigm holds tremendous potential by mimicking original grassland disturbance regimes, it has not been widely adopted because of cultural constraints. Saving the remaining natural grasslands in the Great Plains and elsewhere will require a widespread shift in cultural norms -facilitated by targeted government incentives and a coordinated program of regional research, extension, and education that involves farmers and ranchers as key stakeholders.

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“…Consequently, the potential for private bison ownership to contribute to future bison conservation in the absence of collaboration with other sectors is unknown. Effective collaboration among sectors may prove necessary for the BMS to adapt to climate change and increasing climate variability (Klemm et al., 2020a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability assessment of the multi‐sector North American bison Bison bison management system to climate change

et al. 2021

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Vulnerability of rangeland beef cattle production to climate‐induced NPP fluctuations in the US Great Plains

Cited by 20 publications

References 68 publications

Global Rangeland Primary Production and Its Consumption by Livestock in 2000–2010

Global Rangeland Primary Production and Its Consumption by Livestock in 2000–2010

Saving imperiled grassland biomes by recoupling fire and grazing: a case study from the Great Plains

Vulnerability assessment of the multi‐sector North American bison Bison bison management system to climate change

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