RS300
Feedback on Quiz
08-23-99
1. I was browsing a freshman textbook the other day and ran across the statement: “Mining and grazing are non-renewable resources.” Discuss
Mining and grazing are uses, not resources. Minerals and vegetation/forage are the
resources. Minerals are not renewable; vegetation is renewable. Perennial plants
have many mechanisms to resist the impact of herbivory.
2. Cattle raising in the Serengetti is a sustainable use of the natural vegetation; cattle raising in Colorado is a sustainable use of the natural vegetation. Discuss.
What is your definition of sustainability? Is the issue sustainability of the
vegetation/ground cover? Lifestyle? Culture? Economical sustainability? Political
sustainability? My answer in both instances is yes, but—-.
3. The title of this course is Principles of Range Management. What is a principle?
In my way of thinking principles are statements that can be used to explain a state
(how things are) or predict a transition. Principles are based on facts. Facts are ideas
accepted for face value based on the culture of individuals who accept the rules of
evidence used to generate those facts. So, facts are facts only to thosecultures who
accept them as facts. Generally, in the physical sciences, principles are based on
axioms. Axioms are ideas that exist without question.
RS300
Daily Quiz
08-25-99
1. A problem is a deviation from a standard or norm. (a) yes (b) no
2. Managers worry about uncertainty, i.e., they attempt to monitor response to treatments/intervention and respond to complexity . (a) yes (b) no
3. The best way to define rangeland is by its use. (a) false (b) false
4. One important function of rangelands is the generation of wealth (a) true (b) true
5. The goal of a public-agency manager should be to transform my value system (a) true (b) false
6. The goal of a public-agency manager should be to find a way to deal with biological and human diversity (a) true (b) false
7. The paradigm a manager uses to explain variability matters (a) true (b) false (c) not sure
8. The “science” in the College of Natural Sciences is fundamentally different than the “science” in the College of Natural Resources. (a) true (b) false (c) not sure
9. In order to address a problem, the goal is always to find cause. (a) true (b) false
10. If a system�s structure and function are different now than in the past, it is generally obvious. (a) true (b) false
11. Vegetation is a renewable resource. (a) true (b) false
12. Livestock grazing is a renewable resource. (a) true (b) false
13. Mining is a renewable resource. (a) true (b) false
14. As a stakeholders in an issue you represent a set of values. My job as a manager is to convince you to adopt my value set. (a) true (b) false
15. The latitude of the north pole is (a) 90° (b) 45° (c) 0°
16. Principles in the physical sciences are based axioms. Humor me and agree that principles in the biological sciences are based on facts. Who decides that a fact is a fact? (no response required)
17. The best way to define rangelands is by the elements, attributes (and relationships between elements and attributes on different temporal and spatial scales) (a) true (b) false
RS300
Feedback
08-25-99/08-27-99
Analysis and planning occurs at different levels, i.e., strategic, tactical and operational. Questions 1 to 3 will challenge you to think about levels of decision-making.
1. Look at the statement by Ikerd. (go to WebCT, open contents, click on 3.8 Introduction to Management, go down to �respond to the following) The decision to convert a natural system to agriculture was a(n) (a) strategic decision (b) tactical decision (c) operational decision
2. Although not a part of the scenario, assume an alternative was to remove existing vegetation) A decision to remove the existing vegetation by undercutting vs a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate was a(n) (a) strategic decision (b) tactical decision (c) operational decision
3. In the situation above, a decision to apply 2 lb/acre active ingredient vs 1 lb/acre active ingredient was a(n) (a) strategic decision (b) tactical decision (c) operational decision
4. John Ikerd’s world view is (a) biocentric (b) ecocentric (c) theocentric (d) anthropocentric (e) technocentric
5. Because of uncertainty in a system, most human interventions in natural systems are not sustainable (a) true (b) false (c) don’t know
6. Monitoring can be used to insure a practice is sustainable. (a) yes (b) no (c) don’t know
7. I monitored a shrubland system in the High Desert of Oregon for 25 years. Over that time the percentage cover of big sagebrush ranged from a low of about 15% to a high of 25%. Only twice during those 25 years did I see new seedlings of big sagebrush became established. A change in management is indicated. (a) probably yes (c) probably not
8. (go to WebCT; contents, 3.7 Introduction TASK IV) The scenario in question 7 meets the criteria for a problem. (a) yes (b) no
9. Changes in a biological system, as a result of some input, are generally linear, i.e., a unit of input results in a unit of system change. (a) generally yes (b) system responses are rarely linear (c) risk of an incorrect prediction may be high because of all the uncertainty in the system.
10. If a system’s structure is different now than in the past ( i.e., someone has measured a significant deviation), you could state the deviation as a problem. (a) yes (b) no.
11. The problem in 10 above could have been heavy grazing. (a) true (b) false
12. Management is a process. Management is a goal. (a) true-true (b) true-false (c) false-true (d) false-false
13. In this class we will define a problem is a deviation from a standard or norm. (a) yes (b) yes
14. Decision making in natural resources is always open-ended. (a) true (b) false
15. Assume your first job is with a government agency or private company. The chances you and some team you work with will share the same values is (a) pretty good? (b) slim to none?
RS300
Picketwire Feedback
08-30-99
FEEDBACK:
I have listened to many suggestions that attempt to address the issue and define the problem. Some of the things I’ve heard:
* The problem is the urgency of preserving the cultural history
* The problem is lack of controlled public access
* The problem is that cottonwoods were old with little regeneration and now many have been killed.
* The problem is the area was generally abused in the past, vis-a-vis improper grazing and cropping
* The problem is lack of vegetation management
* The problem is trespass grazing
* The problem is tamarisk invasion
* The problem is we need to find a way to manage the annual kochia and cheatgrass; we don’t want these to come back
* The problem is bio-diversity
I see all of these as a part of some issue, but they tend to fall into the category of either symptoms, causes or solutions.
What is the issue?
The issue is one of public perception. The public would like to �preserve� the historical significance of the canyon. At the same time they want to expunge the impact of recent agricultural and ranching activities, but not forget the tradition.The issue is making the cultural and intrinsic values and economic benefits of resources in the area available to future generations without withdrawing public access.
The issue is maintenance of the cultural and ecological integrity of the canyon. There are no shortage of people with suggestions of how the canyon should �be restored.�
Suggested problems might be:
* Unacceptable fire risk in many parts of the canyon
* Ecological status is different from societal expectations, i.e., desired future conditions.
* Bare soil is subject to wind and water erosion
* The cultural record is at risk of being removed from the area or defaced
* Other?
Even this list is subject to my personal biases. Different stakeholders in the PWC may have different needs. Yet, you can’t “fix” a non-problem. It is important to distinguish between problems and issues; problems and symptoms; problems and solutions. Goals should not be confused with objectives. At this point we are going to leave this scenario open.
One test of how well you have stated the problem is how difficult it is to write an action objective to address the problem. Then second test is to ask yourself, �if we find a way to solve this problem, will that solution materially address the issue and help us meet the goal?�
In the real world, we would begin to evaluate how contentious the issues are and how important the problems are to various stakeholders groups. That would determine the model we would use to analyze and synthesize all the problems and prepare a menu of decision alternatives that would meet stakeholder needs. The key is analysis and synthesis. We will address that later. The analyses and synthesis will help determine the goal. Will your goal be to find cause? find a solution? anticipate the impact of management action?
One last reminder. Management never ends, it is a process. We always deal with an uncertain environment and a receding planning horizon.