Building climate-resilient rangeland communities and ecosystems
Insights from rancher and rangeland manager decision-making
Drought is the rule rather than the exception in California and has been a significant shaping force on the State's rangelands. Climate change and weather extremes threaten rangelands, which are largely rainfall-dependent and arguably the most vulnerable systems to drought. In collaboration with ranchers and rangeland managers across California, we have led examinations of on-ranch management decision-making and social-ecological resilience to drought and climate change. This work has provided valuable data for policymakers, contributed to climate vulnerability assessments, and guided the development of new drought planning tools.
Research Highlights
Working with partners across California, we have surveyed and interviewed ranchers and land managers to gain insights into key factors shaping rangeland resilience.
Coping With Drought on California Rangelands
Ranchers across California highlight the importance of a range of proactive and reactive practices, access to quality information, and peer-to-peer learning in enhancing drought adaptation and resilience.
Adaptive rangeland decision-making and coping with drought
A survey of California ranchers identified major types of drought strategies, emphasizing the importance of flexibility for adaptation. The findings suggest that climate policy should consider the diverse, generational strategies ranchers use and support various adaptation and mitigation options to reduce vulnerability.
An uncertain future: climate resilience of first-generation ranchers
First-generation ranchers (FGR) generally have more limited networks, fewer resources, and fewer adaptation strategies compared to their multigenerational counterparts. Research findings highlight the need for targeted efforts to boost FGR climate resilience and enhance the effectiveness of support organizations.
On-ranch adaptation to California's historic 2012-2016 drought
Effective drought mitigation requires coordinated efforts that address both ranch-specific and broader rangeland resilience. This research underscores the need for diverse drought management practices, improved rancher preparedness, and tailored policy support to meet the unique needs of ranching communities. Additionally, building trusted relationships and using decision-support tools are crucial for enhancing science-based decision-making.