Rangelands and Global Change.

Abstract

The most important implications of this analysis for Australia's rangelands are: i) Better predictions of climate change, both in spatial resolution and degree of confidence, are needed to progress beyond a broad-scale analysis of possible effects. ii) Given that better projections of climate will become available, a "generic" rangelands model, incorporating a better understanding of system-level responses to changes in climate, atmospheric composition and management strategies, is needed to investigate the implications of global change. iii) Based on our current state of understanding, it seems as though the changes in Australia's rangelands will be within the capabilities of managers to cope, over at least the next several decades, provided they are made aware of the likely local and regional changes as predictions improve, and provided they adopt flexible management strategies.