poor fertilization practices can reduce herbage 

 yield, affect the composition of the vegetation, 

 and cause habitat and other changes that may 

 influence small animal or bird populations. 

 Thus, maintenance of soil quality is funda- 

 mental to proper functioning of forest-range 

 ecosystems. 



Beauty 



Beauty is one characteristic of the environ- 

 ment receiving much attention today. Activities 

 designed to use natural resources must be con- 

 ducted in such a way as to avoid impairing the 

 visual aesthetics of the area. Forest-range eco- 

 systems have unique natural beauty. Manage- 

 ment must be designed to protect and enhance 

 these characteristics, and to prevent scarring 

 the landscape in the process of achieving higher 

 output. 



Colorful rocks, unique geological formations, 

 and a wide variety of plant communities pro- 

 vide an endless array of interesting scenery. 

 Wildlife also is a source of beauty and interest. 



Cattle, sheep, cowboys, sheepherders, rustic 

 cabins, corrals, and sheep-camp wagons con- 

 tribute to enjoyment of the forest-range land- 

 scape (fig. 36). The broad expanse of open 

 space is another valuable attribute. 



Cultural Heritage 



Cultural heritage is a part of our environ- 

 ment seldom considered. Yet it is important. 

 Ways of life such as ranching, or customs such 

 as mushroom or huckleberry picking or pinyon- 

 nut gathering, are as much a part of our cul- 

 tural heritage as are birthplaces of famous 

 personages or Civil War battlefields. 



Some of the cultural values mentioned under 

 Beauty also relate to cultural heritage as a 

 forest-range environment output. 



Other Values 



Prior discussion dealt with values, both tan- 

 gible and intangible. Many of these have sep- 

 arate and unique identities. Other values also 

 have importance in the planning of resource 



Figure 36. — Pastoral scenes enrich the landscape. 



F— 480175 



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