Land use history at multiple scales: implications for conservation planning

To better understand the dynamics of development and to illustrate the transition of a region from a natural to an agricultural environment, we developed a regional land use history of the Palouse bioregion of southeastern Washington and westcentral Idaho. We traced the history of European–American settlement and changes in biodiversity in the region, used this to understand how human activities have altered land cover and ecological integrity of the Palouse bioregion, and illustrated how this can assist local managers. We compiled and interpreted available information on people, plants, animals and physical resources over a period of time. Multiple spatial and temporal scales incorporating both sociological and ecological data were used to examine changes in the bioregion as a result of agricultural development and human settlement. Understanding the biophysical changes that have occurred provides a useful starting point for outlining future research needs, establishing conservation goals and targeting ecological restoration efforts, and can be used immediately in local land use planning efforts.