Balancing livestock grazing, plant diversity, and Greater sage-grouse habitat on semi-arid rangelands of northeastern UT

Managers of publicly-owned rangelands have to balance the many interests of different groups that utilize the land, whether human, livestock, or wildlife. They often are faced with the tough decision to prioritize some interests at the expense of others when management goals conflict. Three potentially conflicting managemetn goals on semi-arid rangelands include raising livestock, mainatining plant diversity, and providing good habitat for the Greater sage-grouse. Managers often remove livestock from rangelands when grazing causes declines in plant diversity and/or sage-grouse habitat. This, however, negatively affets rancher livelihoods. Alternatively, managers may be able to use grazing timing and duration as tools to help mitigate these conflicts and balance management goals.