Endangered & Protected Species

Learning Tour Learning Tour - Benefits of Managed Grazing 
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What are the Benefits?Rocklin Open Space | Nutrient Cycle | Reducing Wildfires | Invasive Plant Eradication | Endangered & Protected Species 

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Contrary to popular belief, many protected or endangered species can actually benefit from well managed grazing.

  • Grazing reduces invasive plant species (whether native or exotic) which deplete available soil minerals and water supplies, and allows desired plant species to re-establish themselves.
  • Grazing to remove invasive plant growth near vernal pools allows the wildlife within the pools to complete their life cycles before these seasonal pools evaporate.
  • The first principle in managed grazing is to adjust grazing and rest periods to keep desired plants in a rapid growth phase, thereby allowing the vegetation to recover and regenerate before it's browsed again.
  • Grazing reduces potential wildfire hazard, which can destroy plant and wildlife habitat. Burn area run-off into streams and creeks can pollute the water, impacting fish spawning and other marine habitat.
  • Grazing can be timed so that it doesn't interfere with nesting/breeding seasons of sensitive species.

Steelhead trout
Steelhead trout

Steelhead trout are found in local creeks from January to March, as they return to their native streams and rivers to spawn.

Chinook salmon spend an average of three to four years in the ocean before returning to spawn in September through December.

Salmon
Chinook salmon


The Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) is a fast-growing tree that is covered with sprays of cream-colored flowers in spring and pale blue berries in early summer. The Blue Elderberry is home to the endangered Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (inset in the photo, below).

Blue Elderberry

Additional Information and Articles on Grazing and Protected & Endangered Species:

California Department of Fish and Game - California Natural Diversity Database

Vernal Pools are at Home on the Range

Grazing Effects on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in California Vernal Pool Grasslands

Endangered Amphibian Research within Grazed Grasslands

Managing Exotic Species and Conserving Declining Species

Protecting Biodiversity on Grazed Grasslands in California

 

« Back

What are the Benefits?Rocklin Open Space | Nutrient Cycle | Reducing Wildfires | Invasive Plant Eradication | Endangered & Protected Species 

Start Over »


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