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The Rangeland Journal The Rangeland Journal Society
Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
The Rangeland Journal

The Rangeland Journal

Volume 44 Number 4 2022

RJ22040In search of sustainable livestock management in the Dry Chaco: effect of different shrub-removal practices on vegetation

L. M. Guzmán, P. E. Villagra, R. E. Quiroga, D. I. Pereyra, M. E. Pelliza, A. R. Ricarte and L. J. Blanco
pp. 193-202

Increasing shrub density hinders cattle raising in rangelands of central Argentina. Roller-chopping and hand-cutting are used to remove shrubs and make land accessible for cattle grazing. We found that both practices increase forage quantity, but reduce important attributes of vegetation biodiversity, which is associated with changes in other properties and ecosystem services beyond forage supply. Shrub-removal practices increase forage for livestock, but reduce functional diversity and compromise the return to less disturbed states (woodland), where tree populations are maintained.


This study contributes to the global understanding of the border sharing rangeland states to enhance cross-border cooperation by establishing joint forums to work on environmental and natural resources, so as to use them sustainably. International boundary making has influenced cross-border pastoralists’ access to environmental resources in the Ethiopia–Kenya borderland. Lack of inter-state institutions that facilitate pastoralists’ mobility to access environmental resources across the borders has affected their livelihoods. However, ethnic social networks and indigenous institutions have facilitated environmental-resource use beyond borders in the Ethiopia–Kenya borderland.

RJ22054Shrubs alter alpha and beta diversity of soil fauna in a semiarid grassland

Haining Gao, Caixia Li, Yang Jiao, Yong Zhang and Qi Feng
pp. 213-220

This research contributes to our understanding of how shrubs influence soil fauna. Shrubs increased alpha diversity, but decreased beta diversity of soil fauna. Shrub effects differ among different taxonomic groups of soil fauna. The results of this work also provide valuable data and analyses that will contribute towards furthering the knowledge and information about arid and semiarid grassland ecosystems.


Regenerative grazing, which generally involves some form of rotational grazing with strategic rest, is increasingly seen as a profitable management approach that can accelerate landscape recovery. This study demonstrated that improvements in vegetation, soil and land condition can be obtained by implementing regenerative grazing principles in semiarid rangeland areas of northern Australia; however, it is likely to take a minimum of 3–5 years and up to 15–20 years for statistically significant improvements to be measurable at a site.


Mountain grasslands, where livestock and wildlife potentially compete, are key areas for both biodiversity protection and livestock production. Livestock overgrazing has significantly lessened resource availability for wildlife, and in some cases has led to desertification in arid and semiarid grasslands. A balance between wildlife conservation and existing animal husbandry is possible with careful planning that considers the needs of both. Quantifying livestock carrying capacity is a key issue, with a large number of techniques and studies are available.

Committee on Publication Ethics

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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