ABSTRACT
Range management as an art and as a science has its roots in ecological principles. A range user has to deal with the basic components of the ecosystem around him and his operation, and should understand how they function and how they interact. Profitable ranching requires an understanding of basic ecology. Soil has developed for thousands of years from parent material. After a long process under various climatic conditions, it developed freely and reached maturity in its most productive phase. During that process, plant life had a parallel development, beginning from a primary bare area until reaching its climax stage. There are many well-managed ranches in "good" condition, but most of the land, particularly in Latin-american native ranges, would be characterized as in "fair" and "poor" condition. Range condition reflects the health of a range or pasture. It is based on the relation between the present vegetation and the vegetation that, potentially, a given site should have.
