The development of semi-arid and mountain areas depends on the sustainable use of rangelands, which relies on local ecological knowledge (LEK). LEK about plants and animal foraging behaviour varies with the local agricultural context and the status of the shepherd; loss of LEK and of its connection to grazing management is observed where pastoralism is less valued. The perpetuation of LEK will depend on the ability of extension services to assess it and to foster its improvement and dissemination.

Inequalities and poverty are widespread and persistent in Mongolian pastoral systems. We observed in a case study that herd size is correlated with plant species composition around herder campsites, and that most herders transmit their campsites to their descendants. Impact of plant composition on livestock performances, as well as determinants of campsites distribution should be investigated in order to better understand the mechanisms of poverty persistence.

Addressing grassland degradation and herder livelihoods remains a fundamental agri-environmental issue in China, while land transfer among herders has become more prevalent in recent times. Analysis of household survey information reveals that grassland rental has facilitated herder specialisation and reduced stocking rates but also reveals limitations in the rental market. Overcoming some of the limitations and improving land transfer may improve grassland degradation and herder livelihoods.

Pastoralism is a major income source for pastoralists in China; however, pastoral transition has caused ‘overstocking–productivity loss–poverty–increased stocking’. This article examines pastoralist technical inefficiency under sedentary pastoralism in eastern Inner Mongolia by applying 416 household samples, and the main results show that average technical efficiency score is 0.50, with an 83% output gap explained by technical inefficiency. Increasing livestock productivity by encouraging younger pastoralists to go into pastoralism, expanding farm size or constructing covered pens helps to break the vicious cycle.

Knowing the structure of local economies on the rangelands is critical to planning future strategic development. We extend the application of Blackwell et al.’s (2017) methodology of mapping the structure of local remote economies from one to three Australian states to guide local economic development planning. We find that no two economies are the same and a blanket approach to development is thus inappropriate. Individual, customised polices for each local government area are more appropriate. The extended application presented in this article provides an important tool for future development of rural and remote economies on the rangelands.

Traditionally, yak calves are weaned at 1–2 years of age. Early weaning can improve the body condition and reproductive performance of yak cows. We compared the behaviour and blood parameters of yak calves using four strategies of weaning. Results showed that it is feasible to wean yak calves at 3 months of age. The best weaning practice in the present study was abrupt and permanent weaning.

Fire is used extensively in Australian tropical savannas. Understanding its influence on floristic diversity in the context of the physical environment is important for both conservation and pastoral management imperatives. We demonstrate subtle variation in soil texture relates to vegetation composition independently of fire variables and was generally a more important control on floristic patterns. The effect of fire on floristic patterns is relatively modest in the semi-arid savanna at Kidman Springs.

Introduction of stress-tolerant fodder shrubs such as Atriplex halimus can be a tool for restoration of range health in Jordan. Sowing of A. halimus seeds is favoured in August and September when seedlings would be 4–5 months at transplanting on 20 January, which usually coincides with the highest rainfall at study site. Use of 4–5-month-old seedlings at transplanting resulted in lower nursery establishment costs in addition to higher survival percentage of shrubs in the permanent site than use of 10-month-old seedlings.