Drought Early Warning and the Timing of Range Managers’ Drought Response

Authors

Tonya R. Haigh, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jason A. Otkin, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Anthony Mucia, CNRM UMR 3589, M´et´eo-France/CNRS
Michael Hayes, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Mark E. Burbach, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5240-685X

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4034-7845

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3513-1487

Date of this Version

10-9-2019

Citation

2019 Tonya R. Haigh et al.

Comments

Hindawi Advances in Meteorology Volume 2019, Article ID 9461513, 14 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9461513

Abstract

'e connection between drought early warning information and the timing of rangeland managers’ response actions is not well understood. 'is study investigates U.S. Northern Plains range and livestock managers’ decision-making in response to the 2016 flash drought, by means of a postdrought survey of agricultural landowners and using the Protective Action Decision Model theoretical framework. 'e study found that managers acted in response to environmental cues, but that their responses were significantly delayed compared to when drought conditions emerged. External warnings did not influence the timing of their decisions, though on-farm monitoring and assessment of conditions did. 'ough this case focused only on a one-year flash drought characterized by rapid drought intensification, waiting to destock pastures was associated with greater losses to range productivity and health and diversity. 'is study finds evidence of unrealized potential for drought early warning information to support proactive response and improved outcomes for rangeland management.