Biodiversity has gradually moved from the periphery of rangeland management twenty years ago to a position of greater prominence today. Despite greater acceptance of its importance, though, three issues either aid or abet more active incorporation of biodiversity consideration into management practice. The first is an issue of measurement: as in other biomes we still struggle to agree on what we might record, monitor and target. The second issue concerns growing recognition that our rangelands are in better shape than most other parts of Australia because the mantle of native vegetation remains in place. As a result, governmental support for biodiversity management could well be forthcoming. Third, and on the other hand, the declining relative economic value of rangelands production may continue to lead to declining governmental contributions. My paper tries to sort out these competing trends, and thereby to suggest where rangeland managers may find their attention being drawn in future years.
2 - 5 September, 2002
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Kalgoorlie, Western AustraliaÂ
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ISSN 0-9596923-3-9
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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.