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Building capacity among ranchers to promote climate change adaptation in the west
  • Lauren Hunt,
  • Vicken Hillis
Lauren Hunt
Boise State University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Vicken Hillis
Boise State University
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Abstract

Rangelands cover over 50% of the land surface area in the western US, providing important economic, social and environmental benefits. The resilience of western rangelands, however, is threatened by climate change, including altered phenology and precipitation patterns, increased frequency and intensity of drought and forest fires, heightened pressure from invasive plants, and reduced water storage in winter snowpack. Climate adaptation strategies are available to ranchers, yet uptake varies substantially. Rancher decision-making is a complex function of their beliefs, knowledge, skill level, risk perceptions, and the institutions supporting them. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and workshops will be utilized to examine how ranchers in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming perceive and respond to climate change, and the opportunities and barriers these social processes create for climate change adaptation.