Smaller quantities (of herbicides) are used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat.
What is the meaning of
set aside as wildlife habitat."
Before omitting which, what was the original sentence? I think it is correct to say:
Smaller quantities (of herbicides) are used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas which are set aside as wildlife habitat.
It is edited version.
The original is flawed. You would need to say
"... management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat".
where "as" = for the purpose of, having the function of
P.S. The clause "set aside as wildlife habit" modifies "areas". It could also be written "...areas which have been set aside as wildlife habitat".
P.P.S. "set aside as X" = dedicated to the purpose of X.
Smaller quantities (of herbicides) are used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas in which they are set aside as wildlife habitat.
In this sentence "they" refer to the herbicides.
