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College of Natural Resources

Physical Address:
975 W. 6th Street
Moscow, Idaho

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1138
Moscow, ID 83844-1138

Phone: 208-885-8981

Fax: 208-885-5534

Email: cnr@uidaho.edu

Web: College of Natural Resources

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Karen Launchbaugh

Karen Launchbaugh, Ph.D.

Professor of Rangeland Ecology

Office

CNR 205B

Phone

208-885-4394

Mailing Address

Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1133
Moscow, Idaho 83844-1133

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Rangeland Science, Utah State University, 1992
  • M.S. Texas A&M University, Rangeland Science, 1987
  • B.S. North Dakota State University, Rangeland Management, 1984

Research Interests

  • Grazing management
  • Animal behavior
  • Targeted grazing
  • Rangeland education

Kaweck, M.K., John P. Severson, and K.L. Launchbaugh. 2018. Impacts of Wild Horses, Cattle, and Wildlife on Riparian Areas in Idaho. Rangelands. 40:(2)45-52.

Abbott, L.B., K.L. Launchbaugh, and S. Edinger-Marshall. 2012. Range Education in the 21st Century: Striking the Balance to Maintain a Relevant Profession. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 65(6):647–653

Finzel, J.A., M.S. Seyfried, M.A. Weltsz, J.F. Kinery, V. M.V. Johnson, and K.L. Launchbaugh. 2012. Indirect Measurement of Leaf Area Index in Sagebrush-Steppe Rangelands. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 65(2):208-212.

Goehring, B.J., K.L. Launchbaugh and L.M. Wilson. 2010. Late-season targeted grazing of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) with goats in Idaho. Invasive Plant Science and Management. 3:148-154.

Roselle, L., S.S. Seefeldt and K.L. Launchbaugh. 2010. Delaying sheep grazing after wildfire in sagebrush steppe may not affect vegetation recovery. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 19:115-122.

Ganguli, A.C., M.B. Hale and K.L. Launchbaugh. 2010. Seasonal nutritional value of spotted knapweed and preference by sheep. Small Ruminant Research. 89:47-50

Frost, R.A., L.M. Wilson, K.L. Launchbaugh and E.M.Hovde. 2008. Seasonal change in forage value of rangeland weeds in North Idaho. Invasive Plant Science and Management 1:343-351.

Wallace, J.M., L.M. Wilson and K.L. Launchbaugh. 2008. The effect of targeted grazing and biological control on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) in Canyon Grasslands of Idaho. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61:314–320.

Frost, R.A., K.L. Launchbaugh and C.A. Taylor, Jr. 2008. Age and body condition of goats influence consumption of juniper and monoterpene-treated feed. Rangeland Ecology and Management 61:48-54.

U.S. Professor of the Year for the State of Idaho, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), 2014
Annual Award for Teaching Excellence, University of Idaho, 2014
Outstanding Advisor, College of Natural Resources, 2013
Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher, Range Science Education Council, 2013
Outstanding Alumni Achievement, Utah State University, award to recognize outstanding achievement of alumni, 2012
Outstanding Teacher, U-Idaho College of Natural Resources, 2011
Outstanding Achievement, Society for Range Management in Research/Academia, recognition of outstanding work in research and teaching that contributes to the rangeland profession, 2010
Excellence in Outreach, University of Idaho, 2009

Research

Grouse and Grazing: How Does Spring Livestock Grazing Influence Sage-Grouse Populations?

Sagebrush Grassland sites throughout Idaho

Grazing is the most extensive land use within sage-grouse habitat and the effects of spring livestock grazing on sage-grouse are often debated. Some people view livestock as a significant threat to sage-grouse. Others argue that spring livestock grazing may have a large-scale positive impact on sage-grouse because spring grazing may reduce fuel loads and result in fewer and smaller wildfires. A team of scientists in the Rangeland Center at the University of Idaho and Idaho Department of Fish and Gamer are bringing together researchers, land managers, and resources to create 10-year study at several sites in Idaho to examine the effects of spring grazing on sagegrouse demographic traits or habitat characteristics. Initiated in 2012

Outreach

Western National Rangeland Career Development Event

I serve as organizer and director of this event.
Locations in Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
An event that challenges high school students in plant identification, grazing management, and habitat assessment. Started in 2009 and occurs yearly in November

Range Science Information System

The Range Science Information System brings the most significant and reliable published research to those making decisions for the management and conservation of rangelands. A searchable database with over 1,400 peer-reviewed bibliographic citations of research journal articles focused on: rangeland management, livestock grazing, riparian, weeds, wildlife, soils, watersheds, and wildland fire.

The U-Idaho Rangeland Center works with rangeland programs at the University of Wyoming and Montana State University to suggest and post articles in this database.

Contact Us

College of Natural Resources

Physical Address:
975 W. 6th Street
Moscow, Idaho

Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 1138
Moscow, ID 83844-1138

Phone: 208-885-8981

Fax: 208-885-5534

Email: cnr@uidaho.edu

Web: College of Natural Resources

Directions