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The text of this publication, especially that describing and explaining the photographs, was "pitched" at the level of the undergraduate student who is just beginning to take courses in Range Management. The arrangement of photographs of range types followed by descriptions of that vegetation should enable the beginning student to see examples of most of the range types covered in the various undergraduate Range Management textbooks (and some not found in them).The review of development of range cover type and other units of vegetation was intended for graduate students embarking on advanced learning of matters ecological as they relate to natural resource professions devoted to native vegetation, in particular Range Management and Forestry.
The author did not have as his objective the approval of academic peers. The ideas of "professional educators" and fellow instructors were ignored except as they have been incorporated into the author's own teaching practice over a quarter of a century beginning as a graduate teaching assistant. Having taught courses in Range Management for over a third of a century this instructor has his own ideas— such as they are— of what constitutes "good teaching".
While photographs were assembled and material was written for "seral" not "climax organisms" every effort was made to use the scientific, industrial, and traditional vocabulary of the professions and disciplines involved. It was held as axiomatic that professional education and training require those who would join the professional ranks to raise themselves to the levels demanded by the bodies of knowledge in which they will work. It is unethical to denigrate the professions by "dumbing down" the standards of knowledge to levels compatible with laziness, ignorance, and pre-conceived ideas taken from the popular press and pop culture (including beliefs taken from that which is generally called "environmentalism"). To conform to the level of the lay public is failed teaching. It is naught but a rationalized excuse to become more popular with and attract greater numbers of students which tends to occur when academic standards are lowered.
The author attempted to use colorful writing, pertinent comments, and practical examples to help his intended readers to learn about cover type aspects of the science and art of range vegetation management. He sought a relatively comprehensive coverage of range— strictly defined by grazing and browsing use —vegetation and took an uncompromising perspective that conservation is wise use management for human needs. He believes that straight talk is a virtue and that eradication of political correctness, faddish thinking, and buzzwords is a noble ideal. For reasons explained in the prologue to the review much of the vocabulary is that of the Anglo-American Tradition (in particular, Clementsian).
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