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Rangelands are social-ecological systems that provide multiple ecosystem services, including livestock production. To sustain the services rangelands provide, it is crucial to integrate rangeland ecology into their management. However, the reality is complex, as rangeland management reflects human choice s and values, is informed by different kinds of knowledge, and is constrained or enabled by various policy, governance, environmental, social and economic factors. In this context, how can rangeland ecology contribute more effectively to sound rangeland management? For ecological knowledge to guide management, it must be communicated effectively, accepted as valid, and viewed as trustworthy. However, what constitutes "true" knowledge and appropriate management of rangeland systems is very often contested. Reconciling and integrating local or indigenous knowledge with scientific knowledge is important for a shared understanding of management challenges and solutions, but tends to be challenging and unfamiliar f or both rangeland ecologists and land managers. Historical legacies and biases among researchers and land managers can also create significant barriers to the acceptance and implementation of new ecological insights. The inherent uncertainty and debate within ecology, while necessary for advancing knowledge, can lead to confusion or mistrust among managers and policymakers. Additionally, the management implications of ecological knowledge in a system may not align with the values, objectives, and perception s of land users or decision-makers. Integrating rangeland ecology into management thus requires dedicated work and collaboration between scientists and practitioners at all stages of the process from identifying problems, through co-creating and integrating knowledge, to finding solutions.