Conservation scientists manage, develop, and help protect soil and rangelands.
John Steinbeck's masterpiece novel, "The Grapes of Wrath," chronicles the plight of people who left the state of Oklahoma because they could no longer make a living there. Most of these people were farmers. However, their farmland had been overused for years. It had been over-planted and over-tilled. Then, in 1930, drought hit the area. Windstorms eroded whatever topsoil was left, leaving the land unusable. The Great Plains that had once grown green crops became a desert, or the "Dust Bowl."
There are two main areas of conservation science: soil conservation and range management. Scientists in both of these areas work to maintain soil, but they focus on different areas. Range managers specialize in protecting the lands and vegetation that animals graze on. Soil conservationists focus more on soil erosion, which is the loss of soil, from farming. The goal of both soil conservationists and range managers is to use the land without damaging it.
Despite their different focus, these two types of conservation scientists have similar tasks. They plan and develop methods for using land. They start by studying how land is currently being used and the problems caused by those methods. Next, conservation scientists investigate ways to use land without harming it. For example, range managers study how plants recover from being stepped on and eaten by animals. They may also find ways to rehabilitate land after fire or flood. Once they analyze their findings, conservation scientists develop plans for improving, using, and maintaining land. While they do this, conservation scientists consider how to maximize the use of the land for farmers, ranchers, and others. They also must consider land use and environmental protection laws. Part of developing plans requires estimating the cost and amount of time it will take to improve and maintain land. Scientists often write reports about plans. Occasionally they testify at hearings when disagreements arise with property owners.
Once a plan is finalized, conservation scientists put it into action. This involves talking to the people the plan affects, such as farmers, ranchers, and mining companies. Scientists may oversee the planting of trees and other vegetation. Soil conservationists may also suggest different crops for farmers to grow or different methods for plowing. Range managers may limit how many animals can forage a certain area. Once a plan is started, scientists monitor projects to make sure land owners follow plans. They occasionally visit land owners and inspect their land-use practices.
Range managers and soil conservationists also have duties that are specific to their specialty. Range managers determine the best grazing seasons for animals. They use their knowledge to decide which plants are best for various regions and grazing purposes. They also control toxic plants that can sicken or kill grazing animals. In addition, range managers protect rangeland from fire and rodent damage. They plan and oversee construction of fences, corrals, watering reservoirs, and soil-erosion barriers. They may also manage recreation areas that are part of rangelands. Range managers are also called range scientists, range ecologists, or range conservationists.
Conservation scientists survey property. They may work with communities to plan gardens in a way that protects soil and conserves water. Soil conservation is closely related to agricultural science.