A major environmental concern in the Great Basin is overgrazing.

Overgrazing is a significant environmental issue in the Great Basin, where livestock grazing exceeds the land's ability to regenerate. This occurs primarily due to the region’s fragile, arid ecosystems, where vegetation grows slowly. When cattle, sheep, or other livestock graze excessively, the land becomes barren, leading to soil erosion, loss of native plants, and the spread of invasive species. Overgrazing also degrades water quality in streams and rivers and disrupts wildlife habitats. In such a delicate environment, overgrazing poses a threat to both natural resources and the overall ecological health of the Great Basin.