This paper describes work in progress to examine how best to set up and use
reference areas, particularly in the framework of the South Australian
Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act (1989). The preliminary
examination of data from the South Australian rangeland exclosures reveals
difficulties with using the long -term exclosures as benchmarks for rangeland
assessment. The problems include: statistical validity, impact of other
herbivores and vegetation dynamics. Thus other alternatives to exclosures
as reference areas will be explored.
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.