Using Science To Improve The Blm Wild Horse And Burro Program

Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward reviews the science that underpins the Bureau of Land Management's oversight of free-ranging horses and burros on federal public lands in the western United States, concluding that constructive changes could be implemented. The Wild Horse and Burro Program has not used scientifically rigorous methods to estimate the population sizes of horses and burros, to model the effects of management actions on the animals, or to assess the availability and use of forage on rangelands. Evidence suggests that horse populations are growing by 15 to 20 percent each year, a level that is unsustainable for maintaining healthy horse populations as well as healthy ecosystems. Promising fertility-control methods are available to help limit this population growth, however. In addition, science-based methods exist for improving population estimates, predicting the effects of management practices in order to maintain genetically diverse, healthy populations, and estimating the productivity of rangelands. Greater transparency in how science-based methods are used to inform management decisions may help increase public confidence in the Wild Horse and Burro Program.

Using Science to Improve the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program: A Way Forward reviews the science that underpins the Bureau of Land Management's oversight of free-ranging horses and burros on federal public lands in the western United States, concluding that constructive changes could be implemented. The Wild Horse and Burro Program has not used scientifically rigorous methods to estimate the population sizes of horses and burros, to model the effects of management actions on the animals, or to assess the availability and use of forage on rangelands. Evidence suggests that horse populations are growing by 15 to 20 percent each year, a level that is unsustainable for maintaining healthy horse populations as well as healthy ecosystems. Promising fertility-control methods are available to help limit this population growth, however. In addition, science-based methods exist for improving population estimates, predicting the effects of management practices in order to maintain genetically diverse, healthy populations, and estimating the productivity of rangelands. Greater transparency in how science-based methods are used to inform management decisions may help increase public confidence in the Wild Horse and Burro Program.

This collection of non-partisan reports written by award-winning CQ Researcher journalists focuses on provocative current policy issues. As an annual publication that comes together just months before it goes to press, the volume is all new and as up-to-date as possible. And because it’s CQ Researcher, the policy reports are expertly researched and written, showing all sides of an issue. Chapters follow a consistent organization—exploring three issue questions, then offering background, current context, and a look ahead—and feature a pro/con debate box. All issues include a chronology, bibliography, photos, charts, and figures.

This brand-new Advanced Placement manual is the only book currently on the market that specifically prepares students for the AP Environmental Science Exam. It reviews all important environmental science concepts and problems, including: the flow of energy, its sources, and conversions; the cycling of matter; geology and earth dynamics; the atmosphere, weather, and climate; the biosphere, human history and global distribution; the earth's renewable and nonrenewable resources; measuring environmental quality; global changes; and environmental laws, ethics, and issues. The book's added features include an overview of the test format and test-taking strategies. Two full-length practice tests are presented with questions answered and explained.

Natural resources, such as coal, gold, oil, fertile soil, bountiful wildlife and forests form a major part of America's strength. In the twenty-first century, America is now faced with new questions of how to manage, maintain and better exploit these resources. There are four federal departments that manage the vast majority of America's natural resources: the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service. This book examines how these agencies, and others handle American natural resources.

Includes grants and loans, personal payments, benefits and subsidies, fellowships, scholarships and traineeships, agency index, and over 4,000 addresses and phone numbers for Program Headquarters and Field Offices.