The term RANGE was invented in the United States to describe the extensive,
unforested lands dominating the western half of the continent, probably from the idea of
being able to range about for long distances. These lands are characterized by
limited precipitation, generally sparse vegetation, sharp climatic extremes, highly
variable soils, frequent salinity, and diverse topography forming a kind of land, properly
referred to as RANGELAND.
Globally,
rangeland is described in many other terms including prairie, plains, savanna, steppe,
grassland, shrubland, and desert. The many types of rangeland together form the largest
part of the earth’s land surface --- about 45 percent. For comparison, rangeland in
the United States occupies about 36 percent; Idaho is about 45 percent rangeland. This kind
of land produces a wide variety of goods and services desired by society, including
wildlife habitat, livestock forage, water, mineral resources, wood products, wildland
recreation, open space, and natural beauty. Therefore, its proper use and management is
vitally important to people everywhere.