TheImprovement ofTropical and Subtropical Rangelands

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HIGH
FIGURE 7-1 As site potential improves, the opponunitiee for increuinc
production are enhanced. By application of range improYement pradicee under
intensive management, productivity can be significantly increased.
Intensive Practices
Drastic manipulations of range ecosystems are sometimes necessary.
The use ofintensive practices to control unwanted plants and to
revegetate with desirable plants may be necessary because of the invasion
ofunwanted plants, the effects ofsevere droughts, past abuses
by foraging livestock and humans seeking fuelwood, or the desire to
change botanical composition to increase productivity on all or part
of the range. The risks in using plant control or revegetation are
high because even if attention is given to every detail, the practices
may not have the desired effects. A thorough understanding of the
range ecosystem and factors of production, as well as a commitment
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