Ranching in the American West is undergoing significant change. Climate shifts and land use change are altering rangeland ecosystems. Economic volatility, rural demographic changes, and increasing demands on public lands are shifting the social and political landscape for ranching, as well. With funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and in partnership with the USDA Northern and Southwestern Climate Hubs, an interdisciplinary research team engaged with ranchers across nine western communities to understand the concept of social-ecological resilience from the viewpoint of ranchers and land managers. Research results highlight the transformational changes in Western ranching and the capacities of ranchers to adapt to these changes.
Partners: USDA Southwest Climate Hub, USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub, University of Colorado, and Utah State University