Download a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Specialist Range and Pasture Management Brush invasion competes with desirable forage for moisture, light, and nutrients, and can be a major limitation to rangeland production. Dense brush stands obstruct grazing, reduce livestock performance, and interfere with livestock handling. Removing trees and brush from rangeland can increase forage production and livestock carrying capacity. Eliminating all woody plants, however, is not always practical, necessary, or desirable.
Isolated trees provide shade for livestock and can improve grazing distribution.
Trees and shrubs shelter livestock from wind and snow, furnish suitable areas for calving, and provide food and cover for wildlife. Clearing woody plants along streams and ravines can increase soil erosion, reduce water quality, and destroy wildlife habitat. Because of the potential aesthetic, economic, and recreational value of wildlife, scattered stands of woody plants are compatible with livestock production. Historically, woody plants were confined to riparian areas along creeks, streams, and rivers where soil moisture was high. Suppressing fire and replacing native herbivores with domestic livestock contributed to brush species progressively invading grazingland.