Cattle grazing in America’s national wildlife refuges: a synopsis

Abstract

America’s National Wildlife Refuge system seeks to protect some of our most treasured landscapes and ecosystems and provides access to pristine, otherwise unaltered lands for naturalists and recreationalists alike. However, some of these ecosystems are under threat from human activities such as livestock grazing. Cattle grazing has historically had massive detrimental effects on public lands. Increased erosion and sediment transportation, removal of protective riparian habitat, and influxes of excess nutrients into natural systems are all common symptoms of cattle grazing. These effects not only directly alter the landscape but also the waterways that transect it. One of the most contentious aspects of grazing on public land and Wildlife Refuges is the effect on water quality, stream structure, and habitat suitability for aquatic vertebrates such as salmonids. As fish that require cold, clean water to survive and reproduce, salmonids are excellent indicator species of the detrimental effects of external forces. Based on a copious body of literature on the effects of livestock grazing on various ecosystems, I synthesized peer-reviewed sources and agency documents on natural resource management and grazing allotments for this project. My findings underscore the detrimental effects of livestock grazing on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and I provide solutions to mitigate these effects within the framework of our National Wildlife Refuge system. Ideally, complete removal of cattle grazing is one of my recommendations, but this may not be possible; yet a meaningful reduction in grazing operations is essential for the continued success and preservation of public lands. My hope is that this report, and others like it, will inspire advocates for public land conservation to speak up for the invaluable ecosystems protected under law that are currently threatened by policies prioritizing commercial gain.