Deteriorated range can be restored. Research leading to biological controls of undesirable plants and improved varieties of grasses, forbs and 

 shrubs could greatly facilitate restoration efforts. 



manipulate range ecosystems for the betterment of 

 associated resources and uses seem to have fewer un- 

 desirable side effects than do use of pesticides or herbi- 

 cides. Further testing is required to determine their 

 effectiveness and application. New germ plasm and 

 improved varieties of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and, in 

 particular, nitrogen-fixing plants could greatly en- 

 hance productivity and forage quality characteristics 

 of many ranges. 



Many factors contribute to inefficient use of range 

 forage. Prominent among these are climatic fluctua- 

 tions and their effects on forage quality and quantity, 

 and inefficient digestion by herbivores. When and to 

 what extent forage can be used most efficiently while 



maintaining ecosystem stability, and what class or 

 mix of herbivores can most effectively convert forage 

 into a desirable commodity need additional testing. 

 Knowledge gained through basic morphological 

 and physiological studies of plant species is needed to 

 determine how a species and the ecosystem will 

 respond to management alternatives, and to provide 

 guidelines for proper management and effective utiH- 

 zation. Efficiency of animals in converting forage into 

 animal protein needs to be increased. This can be 

 done through additional knowledge of specific food 

 habits and nutritive requirements of herbivores. 

 Improved animal management to include such bene- 

 fits as control of internal and external parasites, 



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