The Effects of Livestock Grazing on Western Riparian and Stream Ecosystem

Abstract

Domestic livestock grazing is permitted on approximately 307 million acres of federal land in the western states. The land is administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service. Overgrazing of riparian and stream ecosystems by domestic livestock has damaged thousands of linear miles in the ecosystems. The position of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) is to advocate livestock management practices that result in recovery and protection of riparian and stream ecosystems associated with public and private lands. This policy statement addresses problems caused by overgrazing, and action items that the Society advocates to be implemented to correct problems. The Society does not advocate ceasing of domestic livestock grazing on public lands. Instead, the policy is that grazing is acceptable providing that its management is compatible with the ecological requirements of healthy riparian and stream ecosystems.