Supplying ecosystem services on US rangelands

David D. Briske; Steven R. Archer; Emily Burchfield; William Burnidge; Justin D. Derner; Hannah Gosnell; Jerry Hatfield; Clare E. Kazanski; Mona Khalil; Tyler J. Lark; Pamela L. Nagler; Osvaldo E. Sala; Nathan F. Sayre; Kimberly R. Stackhouse-Lawson

doi:10.1038/s41893-023-01194-6

USGS · 70248273

Supplying ecosystem services on US rangelands

David D. Briske·Steven R. Archer·Emily Burchfield·William Burnidge·Justin D. Derner·Hannah Gosnell·Jerry Hatfield·Clare E. Kazanski·Mona Khalil·Tyler J. Lark·Pamela L. Nagler·Osvaldo E. Sala·Nathan F. Sayre·Kimberly R. Stackhouse-Lawson

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Abstract

Rangelands comprise 40% of the conterminous United States and they supply essential ecosystem services to society. A scenario assessment was conducted to determine how accelerating biophysical and societal drivers may modify their future availability. Four scenarios emerged: two may maintain rural communities by sustaining the prevailing ecosystem service of beef cattle production, and two may transform rural communities through expansion of renewable energy technologies and infusion of external capital from amenity land sales. Collaborative organizations representing diverse societal sectors may most effectively identify and manage trade-offs among ecosystem service availability, and equitably prioritize food and energy security, environmental quality and cultural identity.

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Nature Sustainability Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 28.79719214456398° to 49.05254244108747° latitude; -124.99349769708789° to -100.21897102705516° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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David D. Briske, Steven R. Archer, Emily Burchfield, William Burnidge, Justin D. Derner, Hannah Gosnell, Jerry Hatfield, Clare E. Kazanski, Mona Khalil, Tyler J. Lark, Pamela L. Nagler, Osvaldo E. Sala, Nathan F. Sayre, Kimberly R. Stackhouse-Lawson. 2023-09-04. Supplying ecosystem services on US rangelands. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01194-6

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