Get reliable rangeland science

Increasing understanding and exchange of various knowledge sources (experiential, experimental) for management of rangeland ecosystems entails approaches that use novel, participatory efforts to blend management, science and policy. Here, we showcase an example of management relevant science, and its strengths, weaknesses and needs in semiarid rangelands. Management relevant science, by definition, needs to be driven by desired outcomes within the operational context (ranch, grazing allotment) and constraints (human capital, biophysical resources, financial reality) of the manager/enterprise. Fundamental to the success of management relevant science, therefore, is a trusted partnership between managers and scientists for 1) clearly articulated outcomes, 2) well-defined, measureable and time-specific objectives, 3) applicable management practices to achieve these objectives, and 4) relevant metrics to measure/monitor for key attributes in order to provide time-sensitive (both within and between year) feedback that facilitates adaptive management to attain objectives. Logistical weaknesses of management relevant science include: 1) conducting replicated experimental designs at management-applicable scales (i.e., large pastures) and with relevant “control” treatments, 2) collection of large amounts of monitoring data for scientific evaluation for documented changes in many ecosystem attributes (vegetation, soils, water, wildlife), 3) determining thresholds/triggers for management actions that are applied consistently throughout the duration of the experiment to prevent confounding issues, and 4) maintaining active and effective communication between managers and scientists. Needs for management relevant science encompass: 1) human dimensions (respect for opinions of all involved, maintenance of objectivity, decision-making), 2) economics (inputs, outputs, costs, time/labor, assigning values to non-commodity products/services), 3) “on the ground, in the field” meetings with managers and scientists to discuss effects of management actions, and 4) having a facilitator to promote active involvement by all participants during meetings. Successful application of management relevant science will strengthen conservation-production partnerships, as well as facilitate increased information uptake by managers.