Article

Manager Perceptions of Goals and Outcomes of Public Rangeland Management in San Diego County

Recognition of the conservation benefits of rangelands and other working landscapes has occurred alongside a trend of conversion to other uses. In many parts of California, such as San Diego County, one response has been the purchase of rangelands from private landowners by or for public agencies. However, the implications of these transfers for rangeland management, including the use of grazing, and for the types of ecosystem services prioritized and produced on rangelands, are not well known. Interviews with rangeland managers revealed four categories of management practices on public rangelands: (1) grazing plays a key role in management, (2) grazing is a new tool, (3) grazing is permitted but declining, (4) grazing is prohibited. Findings also highlight a shift in prioritization, from forage to other provisioning services and from cultural heritage to other cultural ecosystem services. This research outlines priorities among public rangeland managers that can guide future ecological research.

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