A social-ecological typology of rangelands based on rainfall variability and farming type. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Engler, John-Oliver; Abson, David J.; Feller, Robert; Hanspach, Jan; von Wehrden, Henrik
• Is Part Of: Journal of arid environments. Volume 148(2018)
• Page Start: 65
• Page End: 73
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Range management -- Non-equilibrium theory -- Commercial agriculture -- Subsistence agriculture -- Biophysical degradation -- Social-ecological systems; Arid regions ecology -- Periodicals; Arid regions -- Periodicals; Écologie des régions arides -- Périodiques; Régions arides -- Périodiques; 577.54
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2017.09.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1963

Abstract

Abstract: We present a social-ecological typlogy for the world's rangelands that integrates the much debated non-equilibrium concept from ecology with socio-economic characteristics of rangeland systems. We propose that, as a first approximation, the socio-economic properties can be adequately captured and differentiated by the distinction between the two main types of rangeland farming systems worldwide: subsistence and commercial farming. The resulting typology has four categories, which are 'commercial equilibrium', 'commercial non-equilibrium', 'subsistence equilibrium' and 'subsistence non-equilibrium'. We provide and discuss examples for each category. Moreover, we point out how this typology might help to understand and address some of the problems related to unsustainable rangeland management. Finally, we provide and discuss a global map of rangelands that illustrates the geographic distribution of all four rangeland types. Highlights: We construct an integrated social-ecological typology for global rangelands. We combine non-equilibrium theory with a commercial-subsistence differentiation. We identify four major rangeland categories and illustrate them with examples. We provide and discuss a global map of rangelands according to this typology. This typology may be a useful tool in advising sustainable rangeland management.