Get reliable rangeland science

There is growing recognition that reductive and prescriptive approaches to livestock grazing management (LGM) are insufficient to meeting the challenges that producers face, and that a more holistic approach is needed. This has led to an increased interest in the application of complex systems theory to LGM research. One key step in working in any complex system is the derivation and adoption of a shared conceptual model of the system, but such a conceptual model appears to be lacking in LGM research. In this presentation I will first discuss complex systems theory, including relevant characteristics, and place LGM in a complex systems context. I will then report the results of a recently conducted systematic review wherein we examined the LGM literature for evidence of a shared conceptual model and complex systems approach. Finally, I will propose a conceptual model of LGM that has the potential to resolve many of the conflicts in the discipline, clarify terminological confusion, and serve as a unifying force for LGM research. Throughout, I will offer practical insights and applications that highlight the utility of a shared conceptual model to researchers and practitioners.