Get reliable rangeland science

State-and-transition models (STMs) provide an intuitive framework for interpreting ecological observations in support of assessment, monitoring, research, and management of rangeland ecosystems. Australian scientists proposed STMs as a non-linear alternative to the equilibrium range succession model after the latter was scrutinized during the 1984 International Rangeland Congress in Adelaide. As the Congress returns to Adelaide 40 years later, the paradigm shift away from linear succession toward a non-linear mental model is self-evident. Yet despite consensus that rangelands often exhibit multiple stable states and irreversible transitions, the broad-scale development of STM products cataloguing alternative states, transitions between states, and differences among states is lacking, thus hindering the ability of natural resource managers and researchers to fully implement the STM paradigm. Renewed efforts by the United States Department of Agriculture are incorporating new ideas to elevate future STM product s. We discuss challenges of STM development and present a vision for systematic, broad-scale production of STMs based on the following principles and assertions: spatial context – ecosystem properties or classes to which an STM applies must be well defined to reasonably interpret field observations and predict the behaviour of similar areas ; inclusive collaboration – STMs must represent the collective ecological knowledge of field scientists, resource managers, local and indigenous experts, and other observers; reliability – STM developers must curate knowledge and data from reputable sources and implement quality control measures ; accessibility – interactive online applications must be designed to easily identify an STM of interest and address specific questions about states, transitions, risks, and opportunities ; diverse interpretations – STMs must describe interpretive differences among ecological states (e.g., habitat, fire behaviour, forage, water balance) to reflect diverse management and societal priorities. In addition to these principles and assertions, we discuss a variety of mechanisms to achieve our vision of easy access to reliable ecosystem knowledge in support of rangeland management and research.