State and transition modelling as a contextual framework for indicators of restoration in the Western Australian Mulga rangelands

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

6-2025

Conference Title

XII International Rangeland Congress 2025: Working Together for our Global Rangelands Future

Place of Publication

Adelaide

ISBN

978-0-646-72121-7

Keywords

ecological condition, grazing, management interventions

Disciplines

Agricultural Science | Environmental Monitoring | Natural Resources and Conservation

Abstract

Opportunities for ecological restoration are rapidly increasing and require consistent tools to assess outcomes. In Australia, state and transition models have been used as a communication tool for land managers, to support ecosystem condition assessment o n pastoral leases, and more recently, in the federal Nature Repair Market. A three-day expert elicitation workshop was conducted with government rangelands officers, pastoralists and restoration practitioners to develop a state and transition model for shrub-grass mulga in the WA rangelands. A reference and nine modified states were described, including four regenerating states. Modified states reflect key differences in ecosystem condition along gradients of degradation and regeneration. The key drivers of degradation are overgrazing and associated hydrological dysfunction as grazing impacts worsen, while restoration and regeneration are largely implemented through grazing management and (where soil surface condition has been degraded) hydrological interventions to increase water infiltration. Overall, the state and transition model provides a synthesised, coherent model of WA shrub-grass mulga ecology that is accessible to both experts and non-experts. The model is targeted at supporting the development of rangelands monitoring and condition standards, and the planning and implementation of appropriate management interventions for restoration, enabling land manager access to emerging nature markets.

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