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Arid erosion mapping: comparing LiDAR and structure from motion Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Angus Retallack, Dillon Campbell, Graeme Finlayson, Ramesh Raja Segaran, Bertram Ostendorf, Molly Hennekam, Sami Rifai, Megan Lewis
Rapid development and uptake in uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) for environmental monitoring, specifically using three-dimensional data from LiDAR and structure from motion (SfM), has enabled improved condition assessment, including fine-scale erosion monitoring. Comparing the precision of LiDAR and SfM for measuring erosion is essential in enabling appropriate method selection. Additionally, knowledge
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Toward land restoration transitions: elevating regional voices and the provenance of co-benefits in Queensland rangelands Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2024-02-19 Nikki P. Dumbrell, Catherine J. Robinson, Katie D. Ricketts, Danilo Urzedo, Lisa Walker, Anthelia J. Bond
Land management changes are and will continue to play a substantial role in national and global strategies towards decarbonisation goals. Yet, roles for land managers and their communities to co-create opportunities for just transitions are not well represented or accounted for in policy instruments or markets, including those for carbon offsets. Understanding regional context is critical to identify
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Carbon and ecosystem service markets in rangelands and grazing systems are a wicked problem: multi-stakeholder partnership or roundtable as a vehicle forward? Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2024-02-12 Rebecca Cotton, Bradd Witt
Although the concepts of carbon and ecosystem service markets gained traction in the literature in the early 1990s, they have only recently (since the early 2000s) become a reality in Australia. The past decade has seen the appearance of markets for carbon sequestration (and avoiding land-clearing), most of which have occurred in rangeland environments. There has been research in recent decades focusing
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Adaptive multi-paddock grazing management reduces diet quality of yearling cattle in shortgrass steppe Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2024-02-06
Adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing is hypothesised to improve livestock diet quality by allowing managers to move livestock among paddocks in a manner that tracks phenological variation in forage growth related to variation in plant community composition. We compared yearling steer (Bos taurus) dietary crude protein (CP), digestible organic matter (DOM), and diet composition on a ranch-scale (2600 ha
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Applying two remotely-sensed methods for monitoring grazing impacts in the Australian arid zone Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2024-01-02 Gary Bastin, Robyn Cowley, Margaret Friedel, Chris Materne
Objective monitoring methods that reliably identify grazing impact are required for long-term sustainable management in the arid rangelands. In Australia such methods must contend with highly unpredictable rainfall and large paddocks incorporating spatially complex land types with differing grazing preferences. Retrospective analysis of data collected following very dry and very wet periods removes
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How and why do rangeland changes and their underlying drivers differ across Namibia’s two major land-tenure systems? Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-12-01 Katja Brinkmann, Diego Augusto Menestrey Schwieger, Lena Grieger, Sara Heshmati, Markus Rauchecker
Rangeland degradation, with the loss of perennial grasses and shrub encroachment, negatively affects livestock production and reduces the drought resilience of commercial ranchers and pastoralists in drylands. This situation applies in Namibia, where few attempts have been made to investigate rangeland changes and shrub encroachment across the two major land-tenure systems in the country, namely, freehold
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Herbage yield stability of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) genotypes across rain-fed environments Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-11-28 Ali Vosough, Ali Ashraf Jafari, Ezzat Karami, Hooshmand Safari, Reza Talebi
Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a cool-season perennial grass that naturally grows in semi-steppe rangelands in Iran. In recent years, as a result of climate change, coupled with high livestock grazing, rangeland productivity has decreased. This study aimed to analyse the stability of forage dry matter (DM) production of 36 cocksfoot genotypes across four rain-fed environments (Ardebil, Zanjan
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Donkey production systems and breeding practices in selected districts of South Omo Zone, southern Ethiopia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-10-31 Awoke Melak Wassie, Teklewold Belayhun Getachew, Abebe Hailu Kassa, Ashenafi Getachew Megersa, Tesfalem Ayele
The study was conducted to understand the production system and breeding practices of Omo donkeys and provide baseline information for future production strategies. The data were collected through individual interviews, focus group discussions, and personal observation. A semi-structured questionnaire using 2012 Food and Agriculture Organisation guidelines was used to obtain respondent views. On the
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Grazing capacity determination in short-term and long-term scales using MODIS and Sentinel-2 data in the southern rangelands of Zagros, Iran Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-08-17 F. Jafari, R. Jafari, H. Bashari
Mapping and updating grazing capacity are necessary due to spatio-temporal variations of production in rangelands as a result of climatic and management changes. This study utilised short- and long-term grazing capacity mapping and monitoring by using satellite images in the rangelands of southern Zagros, Iran. In 2018, production of 16 rangeland types was estimated at spatial scales of 250 and 10 m
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Rethinking policies for pastoralists – governing the rangelands Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-08-14 Michele Nori, Ian Scoones
Policies and governance arrangements are relevant in shaping livelihoods in the pastoral regions of the world. Institutions and rules that enable access to land, markets and investment for pastoralists and those that regulate their participation in the political arena are critical in fostering or constraining livelihoods and the capacities to respond adaptively to uncertainties. Decades of misconceived
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Carbon-dioxide-driven increase in foliage projective cover is not the same as increased woody plant density: lessons from an Australian tropical savanna Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-06-15 Gabriel M. Crowley, Stephen A. Murphy
Carbon accounting in tropical savannas relies on a good understanding of the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and land management on foliage projective cover (FPC) and vegetation structure. We used generalised additive modelling to track changes in Autumn Persistent Green (APG, a satellite-image-derived measure of FPC) in six vegetation types on Cape York Peninsula, Australia, over an 18-year
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Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration and water quality from a Bothriochloa pertusa site in the Great Barrier Reef catchments Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-05-24 Chris Stokes, Rebecca Bartley, Brett N. Abbott, Aaron A. Hawdon, Anne E. Kinsey-Henderson
There has been considerable investment in grazing land management in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef catchments targeted at improving off-site runoff and water quality. This study used a systems modelling framework to analyse an 18-year monitoring data set from an Indian couch (Bothriochloa pertusa) dominated hillslope flume site in the Burdekin catchment, Australia. The analyses show important functional
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Dust-storm frequencies, community attitudes, government policy and land management practices during three major droughts in New South Wales, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-04-27 John Leys, Stephan Heidenreich, Stephen White, Juan Guerschman, Craig Strong
This study assessed whether dust-storm frequency during major droughts in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, has changed and what may have caused any change. The frequency of days with dust storms, i.e. when visibility is <1000 m, is presented for the dust storm year (July to June), with the maximum number of dust storms for three major droughts, namely, 2017/20, Millennial and World War II droughts
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Can we benchmark annual ground cover maintenance? Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-04-27 Terrence S. Beutel, F. Patrick Graz
The capacity for rangeland stakeholders, including land managers, financiers and regulators, to regularly assess impacts of management practices on grazed landscapes has potential benefits. This paper describes the development of ground cover maintenance (GCM) spatial layers for a large study area in the catchment of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. GCM layers are an experimental product
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A remotely sensed weight gain model for sheep in the semi-arid Karoo shrublands of South Africa Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-04-03 Christiaan J. Harmse, Adriaan van Niekerk
The monitoring of animal weight gain is expensive as it often involves the rounding up of animals over large areas and long distances. Such monitoring is an arduous process that causes stress related health problems and weight loss in animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of remotely sensed vegetation indices for modelling sheep weight gain in semi-arid rangelands. The temporal and
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Tradeoff between production and regulation functions of semi-arid rangelands Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-03-30 Seyed Alireza Mousavi, Alimohammad Mohammadi Kharaji, Saeed Soltani
This study aimed to evaluate the tradeoffs between forage production and important regulation functions in the semi-arid rangelands of Ben county, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. The value of the forage production service was estimated using market pricing method after measuring forage production within the plant types. Five regulation functions: (1) erosion control; (2) sediment control;
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Changes in land management practices have reduced wind erosion in the cropping areas of far south-western NSW, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-03-09 John F. Leys, Tanisha Shields, Sean R. Murphy, Terry Koen
Since the mid-1970s, approximately 250 000 ha of rangelands in semi-arid far south-western NSW, Australia, have been converted to cropping land use, resulting in substantial wind erosion. Wind erosion is of concern because of its adverse impacts on soils, agricultural production, aviation, energy supply, human health and ecosystem function. Over recent decades, multi-faceted extension programs have
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Using digital photography to monitor changes in biocrusts and ground cover in a savanna rangeland Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-03-09 Than Myint Swe, Wendy J. Williams, Susanne Schmidt, Andries Potgieter, Robyn Cowley, Vincent Mellor, Colin Driscoll, Yan Zhao
Biocrusts form a living soil cover in Australia’s northern savannas, delivering essential ecosystem services. More accessible tools are needed to quantify and monitor ground cover, including biocrusts, as current methodologies are time-consuming, expensive, or specialised. At Victoria River Research Station (Northern Territory, Australia), long-term fire research plots were used to monitor the response
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Resource partitioning between Caucasian chamois and domestic sheep in mountain pastures of the eastern Caucasus, Dagestan, Russia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-03-02 Magomedrasul Magomedov, Elmar Babaev
Feeding and spatial distribution of Caucasian chamois and domestic sheep were studied in the eastern Caucasus. Trophic analysis showed that the chamois diet consisted of 12 herbaceous species and 21 for sheep. Chamois selected forbs and fabaceous species, whereas sheep foraged less selectively. The trophic niche breadth (averaged) of sheep was significantly greater (9.75) than that of chamois (4.33)
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In search of sustainable livestock management in the Dry Chaco: effect of different shrub-removal practices on vegetation Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-02-23 L. M. Guzmán, P. E. Villagra, R. E. Quiroga, D. I. Pereyra, M. E. Pelliza, A. R. Ricarte, L. J. Blanco
Increasing shrub density hinders cattle raising in central Argentina rangelands. While roller-chopping and hand-cutting are used to remove shrubs and make land accessible for cattle grazing, studies on the effects of these practices on ecosystem composition, structure and functioning are scarce. We assessed the impact of shrub removal on (a) vegetation cover, composition, species richness and diversity
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Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-01-18 Rebecca Bartley, Brett N. Abbott, Afshin Ghahramani, Aram Ali, Rod Kerr, Christian H. Roth, Anne Kinsey-Henderson
Regenerative grazing, which generally involves some form of rotational grazing with strategic rest, is increasingly seen as a profitable management approach that will accelerate landscape recovery. However, there is limited quantitative evidence supporting the benefits of this approach in northern Australia. This space-for-time study collected vegetation and soil data from a range of properties in
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Shrubs alter alpha and beta diversity of soil fauna in a semiarid grassland Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2023-01-10 Haining Gao, Caixia Li, Yang Jiao, Yong Zhang, Qi Feng
Shrubs are widely distributed in semi-arid and arid ecosystems. Understanding shrub effects on alpha and beta diversity of soil fauna in arid and semiarid ecosystems could lead to promotion of biodiversity conservation and sustainable management. Yet the extent to which shrubs can influence beta diversity of soil fauna and different body size in arid and semiarid ecosystems is unknown. An investigation
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Effects of international boundary making on pastoralists transboundary environmental resource use in the Ethiopia–Kenya borderland Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-12-20 Girma Defere, Messay Mulugeta, Teferi Tolera
The international boundary along the Ethiopia–Kenyan border does not consider the livelihood and customary practices of local people. Ethiopia and Kenya both have ethnic groups living in similar ecosystems, sharing similar livelihood systems, trans-clan and transboundary trade networks, and trans-boundary migratory patterns. Unlike pre-colonial times when communities freely moved with their herds,
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A novel stem-applied herbicide-capsule methodology for control of the invasive cactus Cereus uruguayanus Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-12-19 Leisa Bradburn, Shane Campbell, Vincent Mellor, Victor Galea
Cereus uruguayanus R.Kiesling is a naturalised, non-opuntioid cactus that has formed large and dense infestations at several locations in the northern Australian rangelands. Of the Cactoideae subfamily, it typically grows into a large, spiny, single- or multi-stemmed candelabra-shaped cactus. While not classified as a Weed of National Significance (WONS) in Australia, it is causing increasing concern
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Hydrology and runoff water quality from three improved pastures compared with virgin brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) woodland over 8 years in semiarid Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-12-08 Amanda Elledge, Craig Thornton
The Fitzroy Basin in central Queensland has the largest cattle herd of any natural resource management region in Australia, and legumes have been widely used to boost fertility of rundown soil and improve cattle liveweight gains. However, there is a paucity of information on the effect of leguminous pastures on hydrology and water quality. This study investigated runoff water quality over eight hydrological
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Social-identity dynamics in rural communities: a motive for resistance to change Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-10-25 Saleena Ham
This research found that rural social resistance to change and newcomers can be explained in part by the influence of social-set membership. Eighty-nine interviews were conducted in two Australian inland rural communities with population <2000 and analysed with a recognised cultural dynamics framework. This found attachment to local social identity, social hierarchy and cultural norms that represented
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Environmental drivers of above-ground biomass in semi-arid rangelands Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-10-14 Neda Kaveh, Ataollah Ebrahimi, Esmaeil Asadi
Above-ground biomass (AGB), as a key biophysical and functional parameter of rangeland ecosystems, plays an important role in ecosystem carbon (C) stocks. The aim of this study was to explore the important environmental drivers of AGB in an arid rangeland by using structural equation modelling (SEM). Vegetation and soil (physical and chemical properties) were sampled using randomised-systematic methods
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Fortifying the financial and environmental capital banks in commercially grazed rangelands Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-10-14 D. Walsh, P. R. Holmes
Commercial rangeland livestock producers manage a perpetual conflict. They must ensure that the financial and environmental elements of rangeland grazing remain concurrently robust, with neither borrowing excessively from the other. Successfully managing this financial and environmental tension requires sound financial literacy as it applies to pastoralism, an above-average knowledge of rangeland ecology
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Breaking the wildfire cycle: progressive fire management can shift fire regimes and improve ecosystem condition. A case study from a large conservation reserve in northern Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-09-20 Lea Ezzy
Extensive late dry season fires in northern Australia have long been considered detrimental to biodiversity conservation, pastoral production and other cultural and landscape values. Fire management programs in these landscapes typically aim to shift the fire regime from wildfires occurring predominately in the late dry season (LDS), when they tend to be extensive and destructive, to prescribed burns
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Predicted effects of simulated ambient warming and moisture on forage nutrient quality and community composition in Mongolian an arid grassland Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-08-27 Yu Yoshihara, Ryoga Aoki, Toshihiko Kinugasa, Takehiro Sasaki
Sustainable forage and livestock production in grazed grasslands are threatened by global climatic change. In this study, we examined how forage quality at the species and community levels in Mongolian drylands might be affected by warming and additional moisture. Four different treatments, a control, open-top chambers (OTCs) only, OTCs with heaters, and OTCs with additional watering, were set up in
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An objective prioritisation method for agriculture RD&E Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-07-19 Geoffry Fordyce, Dave R. Smith, Nigel R. Perkins, Michael R. McGowan
We aimed to develop and test a relatively objective method for rapidly and accurately assessing the priority for research of interventions tendered as potential solutions to a prevailing problem in agriculture. In this test, our method aimed to direct research of evidenced-based strategies to ameliorate consistently high rates of foetal and calf loss experienced in northern Australia’s beef herd. Detailed
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Can dingoes increase graziers’ profits and help maintain Australia’s rangelands? Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-07-09 G. Campbell, A. Emmott, D. Pollock, B. J. Traill
Australia’s largest land carnivore, the dingo, has been targeted by control programs in many agricultural landscapes since European settlement because of the judgement that dingoes cause costs to producers through the killing of livestock. As Australian pastoralists, we challenge the assumption that dingoes will only cause costs to producers. Based on our personal experiences and from research, we
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Diet quality, liveweight change and responses to N supplements by cattle grazing Astrebla spp. (Mitchell grass) pastures in the semi-arid tropics in north-western Queensland, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-06-23 R. M. Dixon, M. T. Sullivan, S. N. O’Connor, R. J. Mayer
Experiments during 4 years examined the diets selected, growth, and responses to N supplements by Bos indicus-cross steers grazing summer-rainfall semi-arid C4 Astrebla spp. (Mitchell grass) rangelands at a site in north-western Queensland, Australia. Paddock groups of steers were not supplemented (T-NIL), or were fed a non-protein N (T-NPN) or a cottonseed meal (T-CSM) supplement. In Experiment 1
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Weak negative responses of spider diversity to short-term ‘kraaling’ Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-06-16 Sicelo Sebata, Charles R. Haddad, Moira J. FitzPatrick, Stefan H. Foord
The influence of short-duration, concentrated kraaling (enclosure) has been documented for plants, wildlife, and macro-invertebrates. However, limited information is available on its impact on ground-dwelling spiders. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of short-duration kraaling, time since cattle removal, and microhabitat variables on spider assemblages in Matabeleland North Province
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Opportunities to build resilience of beef cattle properties in the mulga lands of south-western Queensland, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-06-09 M. K. Bowen, F. Chudleigh, N. M. Sallur, J. Sommerfield
Beef producers in the mulga lands of south-western Queensland and north-western New South Wales, Australia, face the challenges of inherently low productivity and profitability, exacerbated by widespread pasture degradation and high climate and market variability. Our objective was to use the farm-management economics framework to assess the ability of management strategies and investment options to
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Interactions among climate, topography, soil structure and rangeland aboveground net primary production Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-06-06 Samaneh Mohammadi Moghaddam, Eric Gordon Lamb, Ardavan Ghorbani, Hossein Arzani, Javanshir Azizi Mobaser, Raoof Mostafazadeh
Aboveground Net Primary Production (ANPP) of rangeland ecosystems is driven by interactions among multiple environmental factors. This study aimed to model the combined effects of precipitation, elevation, and soil conditions on ANPP variation along an elevation gradient. Ground surveys and vegetation sampling were conducted in 2016 through 26 sampling sites along two elevation profiles in the rangelands
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Some soil factors constraining buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) seedling growth rate across a range of acid red Kandosols in Queensland, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-05-25 Richard G. Silcock
Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) has passionate grazing industry advocates and biodiversity conservation detractors around the world due to its ability to readily establish and spread on certain soil types. A more detailed understanding of what soil factors influence the success of seedling establishment will offer guidance to anyone wishing to either encourage or discourage buffel grass establishment
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Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of understorey biomass in semi-arid woodlands of south-eastern Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-04-16 Linda Riquelme, Libby Rumpff, David H. Duncan, Peter A. Vesk
When managing grazing pressure for conservation, understanding forage dynamics is essential. In south-eastern Australia, ongoing grazing is inhibiting regeneration in several semi-arid woodland communities. Western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus (Desmarest, 1817)) have been identified as a key component of total grazing pressure. They are thought to switch from grass to lower-quality browse,
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The impact of tree removal on standing grass biomass, seedling establishment and growth of woody species Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-04-06 P. Monegi, N. R. Mkhize, T. J. Tjelele, D. Ward, Z. Tsvuura
The removal of trees in rangelands can create gaps and lead to increased grass production that could suppress subsequent tree seedling establishment and growth. However, gaps can also enhance the growth of remaining trees. We conducted a field experiment at two savanna sites with different soil texture and woody species. We used 24 plots at each site to determine the effect of tree-removal intensities
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Response of species abundance distribution pattern of alpine meadow community to sampling scales Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-03-24 Minxia Liu, Lei Zhu, Yibo Ma, Yaya Zhang, Lu Xu, Mingxing Wang, Cheng Liu
To analyse the variation of species abundance distribution (SAD) patterns with scale, and consider its formation mechanism and ecological process in alpine meadow in the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau of China, study areas were established, nine permanent plots were randomly selected, and 72 quadrats were investigated. Four diversity indices were selected, including species richness, the Margalef, Shannon–Wiener
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Responses of grass productivity traits to bush clearing in semi-arid rangelands in North-West Province of South Africa Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-03-17 Mthunzi Mndela, Ignacio C. Madakadze, Julius T. Tjelele, Mziwanda Mangwane, Florence Nherera-Chokuda, Sikhalazo Dube, Abel Ramoelo, Ngoako L. Letsoalo
Woody plant encroachment threatens herbaceous plant productivity in many rangelands globally. We evaluated the impact of bush clearing on grass tiller, leaf and biomass production, and tuft sizes in the Kgomo-kgomo and Makapaanstad rangelands in North-West Province, South Africa. In each rangeland, the number of tillers and leaves, tuft sizes and biomass of eight dominant grass species were recorded
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Stocking density and distribution in relation to vegetation in a biodiverse semi-arid pastoral system in South Africa Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-03-07 M. Igshaan Samuels, Nicky Allsopp, M. Timm Hoffman
The spatial heterogeneity of vegetation in a communal grazing system provides pastoralists with a range of grazing sites to select for their livestock. When fencing spatially constrains herds, there is reduced access to ecological heterogeneity, which may have a negative impact on livestock and the grazing resource. This study investigated temporal and spatial changes in stocking densities and distribution
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Preface to the Special Issue of Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-02-21 Jizhou Ren, Zizhi Hu
Rangelands are some of the most widely distributed ecosystems on Earth, covering ~20% of the land surface area. As an important part of terrestrial ecosystems, accurate rangeland classification plays a crucial role in carbon cycling, biodiversity conservation and forage production. The Comprehensive Sequential Classification System of Rangeland (CSCSR), a well accepted rangeland classification system
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Loss of grassland ecosystem service values based on potential vegetation in China Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-02-16 Pan Dongrong, Yan Haowen, Li Qiang, Liu Danyang, Liu Xiaoni, Zhang Degang, Han Tianhu, Sun Bin, Jiang Jiachang
Grassland resources in China have diverse categories and span extensive areas. Existing studies have estimated the value of ecosystem services in China at different scales, but there are few reports on the potential loss of grassland ecosystem services in China. On the basis of the class-level compatibility of the two existing grassland classification systems, this study separately estimated the ecosystem
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Spatio-temporal distribution of sensitive regions of potential vegetation in China based on the Comprehensive Sequential Classification System (CSCS) and a climate-change model Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-02-16 Huaiyu Du, Jun Zhao, Yinfang Shi
The potential vegetation can reflect climatic influence on vegetation type change, and provide a scientific reference and guide for restoration and reconstruction of vegetation ecosystems. Meteorological observation data from 1961 to 2017 and predicative data under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5) during 2030s, 2050s and 2080s, in conjunction with comprehensive
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Response of grassland net primary productivity to climate change in China Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2022-01-20 Yuting Zhao, Huilong Lin, Rong Tang, Yanfei Pu, Xiaoyu Xiong, Charles Nyandwi, Jean de Dieu Nzabonakuze, Yonghui Zhang, Jiaming Jin, Han Tianhu
To protect the grassland ecosystem’s security, and coordinate the utilisation of grassland resources, explicitly estimating the response of Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of 10 grassland groups to future climate change is necessary. Based on the Comprehensive and Sequential Classification System (CSCS) and modified Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach (CASA) model, in conjunction with four Representative
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Prospects for sustainable use of the pastoral areas of Australia's southern rangelands: a synthesis Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-12-22 Ronald B. Hacker, Sarah E. McDonald
There is growing recognition of the need to achieve land use across the southern Australian rangelands that accommodates changing societal preferences and ensures the capacity of future generations to satisfy their own preferences. This paper considers the prospects for sustainable use of the pastoral lands based either on continued grazing or emerging, alternative land uses. After an overview of the
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The use of Australian native grains as a food: a review of research in a global grains context Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-12-16 Anna Drake, Claudia Keitel, Angela Pattison
Australian native grains have an extended history of human consumption; however, their place in diets was disrupted when colonisation triggered a shift away from traditional lifestyles for Aboriginal people. Despite being time- and energy-intensive to harvest, the inclusion of native grains in diets is thought to have offered considerable adaptive advantage by assisting human occupation of arid and
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Herders' willingness-to-participate in the Grassland Ecological Compensation and Award Policy in China: a meta-analysis Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-12-10 Shiqi Guan, Yubing Fan, Zeng Tang
Since implementation of its first phase, the Grassland Ecological Compensation and Award Policy (GECAP; 2011–2015) has significantly influenced participants’ livelihoods in China. Willingness-to-participate (WTP) is an important component of successful policy implementation. The effects of influential factors on herders’ WTP have received considerable research effort, although no systematic literature
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Soil carbon stocks of semi-arid grasslands in northern Mexico Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-11-20 Pedro Jurado-Guerra, Ruben Saucedo-Terán, Carlos Morales-Nieto, Martín Juárez-Morales, Gabriel Sosa-Pérez, Alan Álvarez-Holguín
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is important, but research on SOC in Mexican semi-arid grasslands is limited. The objective of this research was to estimate SOC and develop an ecological model to predict soil carbon stocks (SCS) in the semi-arid grasslands of northern Mexico. Sites with different plant cover were selected along the Central Valleys region, and soil samples collected at two microsites (bare
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The size, structure and efficiency of Mongolian flocks and herds on degraded grasslands Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-11-20 Gantuya Jargalsaihan, Udval Gombosuren, David R. Kemp, Karl Behrendt, Davaasambuu Lkhagvasuren, Luvsan Gankhuyg, Colin G. Brown
Since 1990, the number of livestock in Mongolia has more than doubled. In large areas of Mongolia, grassland degradation is now a problem of national concern. A survey was done of 10 herders in two Soums (Altanbulag and Khashaat; heavily and moderately degraded, respectively) to measure the animals (sheep, goats, cattle and horse numbers, sex and weights) and grasslands (species and biomass) every
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Resilience of the pastoral component of Moroccan small ruminant systems in mountain areas Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-11-22 Soufiane El Aayadi, Abdelilah Araba, Magali Jouven
Small ruminant farming is the main rural occupation in mountain areas of Morocco. This activity is subject to numerous pressures, including repeated climatic hazards that modify pastoral resource availability and trigger changes in production systems. This study aimed to identify and analyse changes in availability and utilisation of pastoral resources acknowledged by farmers over the past 40 years
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An online system for calculating and delivering long-term carrying capacity information for Queensland grazing properties. Part 1: background and development Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-10-22 G. Stone, B. Zhang, J. Carter, G. Fraser, G. Whish, C. Paton, G. McKeon
This paper (Part 1) describes the development of a new online system that estimates long-term carrying capacity (LTCC) for grazing properties across Queensland, Australia. High year-to-year and multi-year rainfall variability is a dominating feature of the climate of Queensland’s grazing lands, and poses major challenges for extensive livestock production. The use of LTCC is one approach used by graziers
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GrazingFutures: learnings from a contemporary collaborative extension program in rangeland communities of western Queensland, Australia Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-10-26 Joe Rolfe, Lindsey Perry, Peter Long, Caitlyn Frazer, Terry Beutel, Jane Tincknell, David Phelps
Producer reliance on drought subsidies instead of proactive planning and timely destocking in low rainfall years has prompted Queensland government investment in promoting business and drought resilience. GrazingFutures (AU$6 million budget, 2016–2022) is an extension project focussed on enhancing business management skills of extensive livestock producers in western Queensland, Australia. The region’s
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An online system for calculating and delivering long-term carrying capacity information for Queensland grazing properties. Part 2: modelling and outputs Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-10-26 B. Zhang, G. Fraser, J. Carter, G. Stone, S. Irvine, G. Whish, J. Willcocks, G. McKeon
A combination of field data and models have been used to estimate long-term carrying capacity (LTCC) of domestic livestock in Queensland grazing lands. These methods have been synthesised and coupled with recent developments in science and information technology to provide a fully-automated approach of modelling LTCC through the FORAGE online system. In this study, the GRASP model was used to simulate
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Prolific or precarious: a review of the status of Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum [R.Br.] A.DC., Santalaceae) Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-10-07 R. C. McLellan, K. Dixon, D. M. Watson
Across its entire range in Australia’s western and southern rangelands, Australian sandalwood (Santalum spicatum [R.Br.] A.DC.) is on a path towards ‘extinction in the wild’––the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s penultimate category of conservation risk. Sandalwood populations have substantially diminished or become locally extinct, predominantly a consequence of land clearing for
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Northern Australia Climate Program: supporting adaptation in rangeland grazing systems through more targeted climate forecasts, improved drought information and an innovative extension program Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-09-24 David Cobon, Chelsea Jarvis, Kate Reardon-Smith, Laura Guillory, Christa Pudmenzky, Thong Nguyen-Huy, Shahbaz Mushtaq, Roger Stone
The Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP) is a fully integrated research, development and extension (RDandE) program operating across extensive pastoral regions of northern Australia. The NACP aims to improve existing climate models and forecast tools, develop new products to meet user needs and build the capacity of rangeland producers to manage the challenges posed by droughts (or failed wet
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Is ground cover a useful indicator of grazing land condition? Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-09-14 Terrence S. Beutel, Robert Shepherd, Robert A. Karfs, Brett N. Abbott, Teresa Eyre, Trevor J. Hall, Emily Barbi
Remotely sensed ground cover data play an important role in Australian rangelands research development and extension, reflecting broader global trends in the use of remotely sensed data. We tested the relationship between remotely sensed ground cover data and field-based assessments of grazing land condition in the largest quantitative analysis of its type to date. We collated land condition data from
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Species replacement and transitional zones in natural grasslands with subtle environmental gradations Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-09-03 Natalia Vercelli, Ilda Entraigas
Heterogeneity creates borders, limits and contrasts between patches. In turn, this pattern generates new processes. Linked to heterogeneity, ecological systems have limits where layout is essential to understanding system organisation. This study analysed internal heterogeneity in natural grassland using: (1) estimation of species replacement in space, and (2) identification of transitional zones and
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A production-scale evaluation of nutritional monitoring and decision support software for free-ranging cattle in an arid environment Rangel. J. (IF 1.2) Pub Date : 2021-08-23 Rachel J. Brooks (Turner), Douglas R. Tolleson, George B. Ruyle, Dan B. Faulkner
Range cattle in semi-arid regions are commonly limited by lack of nitrogen and other nutrients from grazing low-quality forage, with managers needing to monitor diet quality to address nutrient limitations. Near-infrared spectroscopy of faecal samples (FNIRS) is an accurate method used to determine diet quality in grazing animals. When combined with a nutritional balance software such as the Nutritional