Initial research resulted in prescriptions for more economically efficient management strategies related to stocking rates, grazing systems, and brush management. More recently, the work has resulted in integrating economic feasibility considerations into the development of computerized decision support systems for use by resource managers. The Department's interdisciplinary research efforts have produced policy-relevant information regarding herbicide use, watershed yield improvement, economic returns for hunting enterprises, and other soil and water conservation practice incentive programs. Currently, the Department is expanding its efforts in the analysis of resource policy alternatives by assessing public reactions to current programs and regulations influencing multiple rangeland uses. For example, water policy issues are a big concern during periods of drought and in regions with growing human populations.
Wildlife habitat is a valued attribute of productive rangelands.
Future work will pioneer the use of integrated ecologic-socioeconomic simulation models for analyzing resource management policy alternatives. This research will help with the socioeconomic components of rangeland health assessment protocols being developed at the federal level. Extension efforts in range economics and policy have primarily been directed at training agents and resource managers in ways to integrate economic considerations into the process of selecting among resource management alternatives. Future extension efforts will continue to increase public awareness and constructive interaction among individuals interested in natural resource and environmental policy issues. At the same time, urban populations and public interest groups favoring environmental preservation are growing rapidly.