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The Rangeland Journal

The Rangeland Journal

The Rangeland Journal publishes original work on the biophysical, social, cultural, economic, and policy influences affecting rangeland use and management. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Paul Novelly

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. The Rangeland Journal is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 10 July 2025

RJ25009Reimagining the northern Australian beef industry; review of feedbase opportunities for growth

E. Charmley, C. Gardiner 0000-0003-3183-1811, I. Watson and J. O’Reagain 0009-0000-8186-3198
 

In this review, we suggest a paradigm shift in how cattle are fed in northern Australia that could reimagine the beef in the 21st century. Future global protein shortages for human nutrition may change the economic balance in favour of more creative ideas for feeding cattle. We highlight five ‘game changers’ that have been technically shown to take advantage of the opportunities across the north, including legumes, silage, irrigation, crop and vegetable co-products and low-quality feedstocks.

RJ25009 Abstract  |  RJ25009 Full Text  | RJ25009PDF (1.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 23 June 2025

RJ25008Influence of selected environmental variables on the germination of Eucalyptus costata

Joseph Stapleton, Callum Measham-Pywell and Singarayer Florentine 0000-0002-5734-3421
 

We examined germination conditions for the common Mallee species Eucalyptus costata. Our study found that germination was lowest at high temperatures (35°C/25°C), high salinity (>100 mM), and low water potentials (taking 14 MPa of humidity per day to germinate). Sowing seed deeper than 2 cm reduced emergence. These results suggest that the optimal germination is likely to occur with shallow sowing in low-salinity soils during cool or mild wet conditions. Despite being an arid species, Eucalyptus costata is intolerant of hot and dry conditions, and planting should be focused on mild and wet periods.

RJ25008 Abstract  |  RJ25008 Full Text  | RJ25008PDF (967 KB)  | RJ25008Supplementary Material (410 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 19 June 2025

RJ24027Carbon sequestration in woody biomass of mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands: confidence in prediction using the carbon accounting model FullCAM

Keryn I. Paul and Stephen H. Roxburgh
 

Decreased grazing and/or cessation of land clearing are being used across Australian woodlands for sequestration of carbon from regeneration of woody biomass, with estimates of this sequestration being predicted using the empirical carbon accounting model FullCAM. FullCAM predictions were found to be accurate across a wide range of sites, but with further improvements possible in terms of its domain of application, specificity with which it stimulates changed grazing management, and comprehensiveness to account for standing dead pools of woody biomass.

RJ24027 Abstract  |  RJ24027 Full Text  | RJ24027PDF (2 MB)  | RJ24027Supplementary Material (4.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 01 April 2025

RJ24016Augmenting rangeland condition monitoring with drones: potential for carbon farming projects to support widespread ecosystem assessment

Samuel Shumack, Gregor Sanders, Michael Rooney and Andrew O’Reilly-Nugent
 

Carbon farming projects in the Australian rangelands routinely use remotely piloted aircraft (drones) to validate vegetation maps. This data collection can be leveraged to provide detailed ecological insights into rangeland ecosystems. Combining drone-derived structural information with ground-based botanical surveys, this paper showcases a method for comprehensive vegetation condition assessment at the property scale. This approach has potential to enhance understanding of ecosystem responses to land management changes across large areas of rangelands.

This article belongs to the collection: Carbon and environmental service markets.

RJ24016 Abstract  |  RJ24016 Full Text  | RJ24016PDF (6 MB)  | RJ24016Supplementary Material (1.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 March 2025

RJ24028Does grazing exclusion in Australia’s rangelands affect biomass and debris carbon stocks?

David I. Forrester 0000-0003-4546-3554, Jacqueline R. England, Ee Ling Ng, Melissa Piper, Ken C. Hodgkinson, Steven G. Bray, Stephen H. Roxburgh and Keryn I. Paul
 

Australia is dominated by 6 million km2 of rangelands that contribute significantly to the livestock industry and carbon market; yet, few studies have quantified the influence of grazing management on woody biomass and carbon stocks across these rangelands. Although grazing exclusion can sometimes facilitate carbon stock accumulation, it is difficult to predict when and where this would occur.

RJ24028 Abstract  |  RJ24028 Full Text  | RJ24028PDF (1.6 MB)  | RJ24028Supplementary Material (1.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 March 2025

RJ24031A typology of Australian beef producers and the sustainability challenge

Taylah Faulkner 0000-0001-7887-7572, Bradd Witt and Heather Bray
 

Understanding the perceptions and motivations of those managing grazing lands and rangelands is critical to sustainability efforts. This research surveyed 367 Australian beef producers and identified four distinct producer groups on the basis of their perceptions of their industry’s sustainability, public support and attitudes towards industry emissions. The findings have implications for engaging producers and the success of programs and policies designed to influence acceptance, and adoption, of sustainability-related technologies and practices.

RJ24031 Abstract  |  RJ24031 Full Text  | RJ24031PDF (770 KB)  | RJ24031Supplementary Material (631 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 24 February 2025

RJ24032Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution

C. M. Waters, R. B. Hacker, A. Sekaran and A. R. Grant
 

The legitimate role of grazing management as an effective nature-based climate solution has been challenged despite almost 42 million ha of Australian rangelands delivering carbon sequestration through regeneration of native forests. We provide a review of the literature to underpin grazing principles and guidelines to support woody regeneration. The primary role of climate in setting the direction of regeneration is highlighted but the extent to which this potential can be realised is moderated by grazing management.

RJ24032 Abstract  |  RJ24032 Full Text  | RJ24032PDF (1.8 MB)  | RJ24032Supplementary Material (545 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 February 2025

RJ24029Temporal variation in the chemical composition of Nassella trichotoma under a defoliation gradient

Andrés García 0000-0001-6342-241X, Roberto A. Distel and Alejandro Loydi
 

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) is a perennial grass that causes both environmental and economic losses in several parts of the world. This study examines chemical composition changes in N. trichotoma under defoliation. Results showed a rise in fibre that may indicate an anti-herbivore defence, reducing the plant’s nutritional quality, leading to cattle avoidance. These findings highlight the importance of considering defoliation-induced defences in integrated weed management strategies for controlling N. trichotoma.

RJ24029 Abstract  | PDF (459 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 13 February 2025

RJ24023An economic analysis of cell-fencing in semi-arid rangelands

Stuart J. Dawson 0000-0003-4432-3779, Tracey L. Kreplins, Malcolm S. Kennedy, Santhi Wicks and Patricia A. Fleming 0000-0002-0626-3851
 

Cell-fences are predator-proof, mainly dingo (Canis familiaris)-proof, fences surrounding a group of livestock properties. A study into the economic value of cell fencing in Western Australia found that only 43.4% of cell-fenced scenarios were more profitable than the relevant unfenced scenario. Whereas survival and reproduction of small livestock (i.e. sheep and goats) improved under cell fencing, investment in cell-fence construction, maintenance and dingo removal did not result in greater profits for cattle enterprises.

RJ24023 Abstract  |  RJ24023 Full Text  | RJ24023PDF (3.2 MB)  | RJ24023Supplementary Material (435 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 January 2025

RJ23026The effects of clipping frequency and nitrogen fertilisation on greenhouse gas emissions and net ecosystem exchange in an Australian temperate grassland

Zahra Padashbarmchi, Budiman Minasny, Milad Bagheri Shirvan, Luciano A. González and Feike A. Dijkstra
 

Grassland ecosystems play a crucial role in carbon storage and greenhouse-gas management, but the effects of grassland management practices and environmental drivers remain unclear. Our study found that methane (CH₄) emissions are primarily controlled by soil moisture, whereas nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are more strongly affected by temperature. The grassland functioned as a small carbon sink during the observation period, highlighting the need for longer-term research to better understand how different management practices influence greenhouse gas emissions over time.

RJ23026 Abstract  |  RJ23026 Full Text  | RJ23026PDF (3.4 MB)  | RJ23026Supplementary Material (1001 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

ARS Conference 2023

This Collection will compile papers presented at the ARS Conference 2023

Collection Editors
Gary Bastin (Australia)
Robyn Cowley (Northern Territory Government, Australia)
Hanh Nguyen (Bureau of Meteorology, Australia)
Joshua Foster (Department of Primary Industries, WA)
Sarah McDonald (Department of Primary Industries, WA)

Last Updated: 16 Oct 2024

Carbon and Environmental Service Markets

This Collection of The Rangeland Journal is a timely opportunity to shed light on the successes and shortcomings across the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of carbon and environmental market mechanisms.

Collection Editors
Bradd Witt (University of Queensland, Australia)
Taylah Faulkner (University of Queensland, Australia)
Joshua Peart (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Australia)
Jayne Cuddihy (Australian Rangeland Society, Australia)
Sarah McDonald (NSW Department of Primary Industries, Australia)

Last Updated: 15 Oct 2024

Rangeland Dynamics and State and Transition Models: an Enduring Conceptual and Practical Framework

To mark the anniversary of the seminal paper by Mark Westoby, Brian Walker and (the late) Imanuel Noy-Meir that introduced the state and transition concept to rangeland management, this Collection has been compiled from papers published in The Rangeland Journal which have drawn on their concepts. Brian Walker and Mark Westoby have generously provided an editorial article that reflects on their early thinking behind state and transition models and commentary on its evolution over the past 30 years.

Collection Editors
Andrew Ash and Ron Hacker

Last Updated: 18 May 2020

Grazing and Biodiversity – The Positive Side

The adverse effects of poorly managed grazing on biodiversity and ecosystem function are attested by much scientific literature. This weight of evidence, leading to a generally negative view of grazing as an ecological factor, tends to overshadow the evidence for beneficial effects of properly managed grazing. This Collection presents examples from around the world of the benefits of properly managed grazing for conservation of biodiversity.

Last Updated: 24 Oct 2018

Managing the World’s Rangelands: Future Strategies and Socio-economic Implications

This Collection provides examples from the world’s rangelands of the pressures opposing sustainable land use, potential policy responses appropriate to local socio-ecological systems, and technical developments that will underpin sustainable land use. This broad scope is a deliberate editorial response to the multifaceted challenge of securing sustainable use of the world’s rangelands. The Australian Rangeland Society, together with The Rangeland Journal’s editors and publishers, hope that this collection of articles will extend awareness of the scale and complexity of the challenge and stimulate ongoing contributions.

Last Updated: 10 Jun 2016

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Prize Announcement

CSIRO Publishing is very pleased to sponsor the following prizes that were awarded at the ARS Broome Conference, 2023. Read more

Call for Papers

We are seeking proposals for Special Issues. More

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