Conservation versus Preservation

SCI/275

Environmental Science

Emmy Spencer

Sunday May 8, 2016

Dr. Rafael Sanchez

Conservation of rangelands is the rotation of livestock from one section of land to another section on land to allow the first section to rest and recover. Rangelands are often over grazed, causing the grass to die and turn the land into dirt lots. The natural resource is the grass and will be used to feed the livestock. Conservation also includes controlled burn of areas to help promote new growth. (1) Preservation of wildlife is saving the habitats and environment where endangered animals, plants, and eco system lives. The habitats and environment should not be altered or changed in any way. Natural resources are not to be used and the areas need to be left alone. Conservation of rangelands has been successful in some areas and not so successful in others. There was a government act created in 2002 - Rangeland, Grazing Land and Grassland Protection Act of 2002. This act was designed for California and the protection of their rangelands. The act’s purpose is to prevent rangelands from being converted into nonagricultural areas and sustain the grazing of livestock (2) Preservation of wildlife habitats are being threatened everyday by people all over the planet. The three major types of losses are destruction, fragmentation, and degradation of habitats by humans. They are affected by agriculture, land development, pollution, global warming and water development. (3)
The National Wildlife Federation has done multiple things to help teach, protect, and preserve the wildlife habitats around the world. Creating new habitats, and protecting current habits is the only way to be successful at preserving them and keeping them wild and untouched. Conservation is measured by deferred grazing scheme for rangelands. Having several section of land, A, B, C, and D and rotating the livestock around every two years for a six year cycle will help maintain the grass and keep pasture lush for the livestock. Giving each section time to recover and regrow will restore and improve the quality of the rangelands. (4) If the rangelands thrive, flourish, and grow lush grass, then yes, I think this is a successful way to measure the conservation of rangelands. I have initiated this type of conservation for my six acre horse farm. I have two pastures and rotate my horses from one to the other every few months. This allows one pasture to rest and grow, while the other is being grazed. This works very well for continual grass almost year long. Conservation can be measured in economic ways. If the grass is lush, the livestock gains weight. When the livestock gains weight, they will bring a higher price when sold to the meat market. Conservation can also be measured in environmental ways. Rangelands that are flourishing, bring other animals such as birds, rabbits, and worms. The environment becomes richer and able to sustain more forms of life. This is good for the environment.

References: 1) https://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/rangeland/index.shtml 2) https://wcb.ca.gov/Programs/Rangeland 3) http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Habitat-Loss.aspx 4) https://phoenix.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781449643560/cfi/250!/4/4@0.00:0.00