Bridging the Gaps between Science and Policy for the Sustainable Management of Rangeland Resources in the Developing World

Abstract

Evidence indicates that current rangeland management practices in the developing-world settings do not reflect conceptual advancements in contemporary science. The incorporation of integrated socioecological perspectives, represented in coupled natural and social systems research, into policy and management has been stifled because of a poor fit with administrative traditions and political cultures. Efforts to develop sustainable rangeland management require a commitment to formulating adaptive, locally contextualized, scientifically grounded policies. Our recommendations to realize such a future include developing inclusive working relationships with government agencies and enhancing the involvement of professional associations in providing scientific input to the policy-decision-making process.