Alberta Rangelands Rangeland ecosystems have evolved over thousands of years, adapting to the soils, climate and natural disturbance factors of the Northern Great Plains, especially the influence of wild grazers like bison. Rangelands are native plant communities where the principal form of management is manipulated grazing.
Rangelands are an important agricultural resource for livestock grazing.
Alberta rangelands are extensive and diverse. The first domestic livestock arrived in Alberta with the fur trade and eventually ranching became established by the 1870's. Traditionally, range management has dealt with manipulating grazing so that both plant and animal production are maintained or improved. Today, range management also includes a broader perspective of grazing. It is viewed as a natural process and tool for perpetuating rangeland ecosystems to be managed along with other factors like fire, disturbance, and human activity.