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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 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

Published online 10 October 2024

RJ24024Non-compliance and under-performance in Australian human-induced regeneration projects

Andrew Macintosh, Megan C. Evans 0000-0001-6763-310X, Don Butler, Pablo Larraondo, Chamith Edirisinghe, Kristen B. Hunter 0000-0002-5678-4620, Maldwyn J. Evans, Dean Ansell, Marie Waschka and David Lindenmayer
 

Rangeland ecosystems are superficially attractive locations for low-cost carbon sequestration, but the variability in these systems creates integrity problems for carbon offsets. We use remotely sensed imagery to analyse 116 Australian Human-induced Regeneration Projects, and find most projects are non-compliant with regulatory requirements and that they have had minimal impact on tree cover. The findings point to major failings in Australia’s carbon offset scheme and extend the literature showing offset schemes are frequently plagued by integrity issues.

This article belongs to the Collection Carbon and Environmental Service Markets.

RJ24024 Abstract  |  RJ24024 Full Text  | RJ24024PDF (2.6 MB)  | RJ24024Supplementary Material (2.5 MB)   Open Access Article

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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