Overgrazing!Overgrazing!

What do you already know?What do you already know?

Brainstorm with your partners what Brainstorm with your partners what you know about overgrazing, you know about overgrazing, especially in Arizona.especially in Arizona.

Be ready to report out!Be ready to report out!

What we know:What we know:

What is the Issue?What is the Issue? Overgrazing is allowing animals to graze to Overgrazing is allowing animals to graze to

the point of damaging vegetation cover. the point of damaging vegetation cover.

Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to livestock grazing for extended periods of to livestock grazing for extended periods of time without sufficient recovery periods. time without sufficient recovery periods.

It reduces the usefulness of the land and is It reduces the usefulness of the land and is one cause of desertification and erosion.one cause of desertification and erosion. Desertification is the process of turning once Desertification is the process of turning once

fertile areas into deserts.fertile areas into deserts.

What do you already know What do you already know about overgrazed desert about overgrazed desert

ecosystems?ecosystems?

Brainstorm with your partners: Brainstorm with your partners: what do they look like? What has what do they look like? What has happened? Etc.happened? Etc.

Be ready to report out!Be ready to report out!

What we know:What we know:

Before and After Before and After OvergrazingOvergrazing

Who is causing it?Who is causing it? Ranchers graze their livestock on Ranchers graze their livestock on

public range lands.public range lands. Too many ranchers sharing the same Too many ranchers sharing the same

area leads to overgrazing.area leads to overgrazing. Overgrazing can also occur if ranchers Overgrazing can also occur if ranchers

leave their livestock in one area for too leave their livestock in one area for too long.long.

Why do you think this Why do you think this happens?happens?

Brainstorm with your partners: why Brainstorm with your partners: why do multiple ranchers share the area? do multiple ranchers share the area? Why do they leave their livestock Why do they leave their livestock grazing too long in an area? Etc.grazing too long in an area? Etc.

Be ready to report out!Be ready to report out!

What we know:What we know:

FACTSFACTS

Desertification is devouring more Desertification is devouring more than 20,000 square miles of land than 20,000 square miles of land worldwide every year worldwide every year

Creates conditions that intensify Creates conditions that intensify wildfires and stirring winds wildfires and stirring winds

Reduced root length makes the Reduced root length makes the plants more susceptible to death plants more susceptible to death during dry weather during dry weather

What is being What is being affected?affected?

Reduced ground cover. Reduced ground cover. Increased or accelerated erosionIncreased or accelerated erosion Loss of vegetation. Loss of vegetation. Bush encroachment (invasion or Bush encroachment (invasion or

intrusion)intrusion) Weed invasion, or an increase in Weed invasion, or an increase in

undesirable (including exotic) plant undesirable (including exotic) plant species species

Rate your understanding of Rate your understanding of overgrazing including the overgrazing including the issue, causes, and effects:issue, causes, and effects:

0 = I don’t understand any of this0 = I don’t understand any of this 1 = I understand some of it.1 = I understand some of it. 2 = I understand most of it.2 = I understand most of it. 3 = I understand this stuff!3 = I understand this stuff! 4 = I really get this and could help an absent 4 = I really get this and could help an absent

peer!peer!

Talk to your tablemates & share your Talk to your tablemates & share your understanding!understanding!

What is Being Done to What is Being Done to Help?Help?

Rotational grazing is a process of Rotational grazing is a process of planned grazing that encourages planned grazing that encourages pasture growth pasture growth

Use No-till When Renovating Pasture Use No-till When Renovating Pasture Shortening the time period during Shortening the time period during

which the plant is exposed to grazing which the plant is exposed to grazing Reduce the number of animals on the Reduce the number of animals on the

landland