Guiding rangelands into an uncertain future

Abstract

The oncoming stream of biophysical and social changes facing the rangelands calls for an innovative mix of modifying existing uses and pursuing new ones to help transition into a social-ecological system more in tune with its new environment. In the face of rising uncertainty, trying to find some particular, optimal combination of management and policy to suit some assumed future environment can't work. A transformational change is needed. This does not mean getting to one new, particular kind of system. It has to be an ongoing process of exploring, learning and keeping options open, along the lines of the developing field of guided self-organisation.