This paper examines how global trends in human population, energy use, water use and climate change will impact upon rangelands and rangeland users. Implications from policy, conservation and producer standpoints are provided. Various sources of information are identified for readers seeking more detail than is provided by the paper.

The potential socioeconomic and natural causes of grassland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are critically examined in this article. Population growth, overgrazing, socio-cultural transformations and climate change are among the top potential causes of grassland degradation, but they influence grassland structure and function differently at different spatial and temporal scales. Thus, it becomes critical to analyse various natural and socioeconomic factors in each specific region when choosing amelioration or restoration schemes.

If not addressed, the current problems facing the grassland-livestock industry of the Tibetan plateau will lead to catastrophic collapse of the environment, livelihoods and ecological function of the plateau.  After a systematic review of eighteen strategies studied by researchers in recent decades, a novel model of double settlement is proposed in order to provide the opportunity of retaining a nomadic pastoral model and providing settlement required by the younger generations.  Such a model may also provide a solution for the challenges common to many nomadic people across the world. 

Rangelands pose significant challenges to those who live there. This paper offers some insights in how to conceptualise the future for people living in the rangelands and how organisations such as the CRC-REP in partnership with remote communities contribute to shape up a sustainable future for the rangelands.

Sound management of beef cattle grazing in Australia's extensive tropical and sub-tropical rangelands depends on understanding how four key management factors (stocking rates, pasture resting, prescribed fire and managing grazing distribution) affect cattle production, economic returns and resource condition. We reviewed past research and identified four management principles (and associated guidelines) related to these management factors. These principles provide the basis for a sustainable livestock industry in northern Australia and, with some adaptation, to other rangeland systems in Australia and elsewhere.

Participatory scenario-planning was applieded to envision futures for transhumance, a practice of nomadic pastoralism associated with cultural landscapes, in Spain. Trade-offs in the delivery of ecosystem services emerged between scenarios. Payments for ecosystem services, the enhancement of institutional coordination and cooperation among transhumants were proposed for the maintenance of transhumance.