Wetlands Provide Vital Sage-Grouse Summer Habitats on Private Lands.

摘要

Water scarcity shaped western settlement and remains a driver of human economic growth and urbanization in semiarid ecosystems. Intensive agriculture and ranching traditionally accounted for more than 85% of water use in the West. Recent growth in ex-urban and rural populations now places unprecedented pressure on scarce water resources. Sustainability of irrigated rangeland is at risk as water demand shifts from agricultural to domestic and industrial uses. Predicted climate change is expected to reduce water supply in already stressed systems.