Coping With Drought on California Rangelands

Daniel K. Macon, Sheila Barry, Theresa Becchetti, Theresa Becchetti, Josh S. Davy, Morgan P. Doran, Julie A. Finzel, Holly George, John M. Harper, Lynn Huntsinger, Roger S. Ingram, Donald E. Lancaster, Royce E. Larsen, David J. Lewis, David F. Lile, Neil K. McDougald, Fadzayi E. Mashiri, Glenn Nader, Scott R. Oneto, Jeffery W. Stackhouse, Leslie M. Roche

Abstract


• Rangeland livestock producers were among the first agricultural communities affected by California’s multiyear drought.
• Rancher surveys and in-person interviews have identified key strategies for coping with and adapting to drought.
• Increasing flexibility, resource valuation, and information sharing are important components of building adaptive capacity.
• Web-based communication systems have provided new tools for peer-to-peer learning, public education, and extending knowledge to larger audiences.
• Insights from managers experiences are important for adaptation planning to enhance resilience of rangeland social-ecological systems to climate stresses.

Keywords: adaptive capacity, climate change, decision-making, livestock production, ranching, working landscapes.


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