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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #296395
Title: Toward a method of collaborative, evidence-based response to desertification

Author
item Bestelmeyer, Brandon
item BROWN, JOEL - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA)
item Karl, Jason
item Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff
item Havstad, Kris

Submitted to: Grassland International Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Overgeneralized narratives about how desertified ecosystems will respond to restoration actions may result in wasted resources, missed opportunities, or accelerated degradation. Evidence-based collaborative adaptive management (CAM) could solve this problem by providing site-specific information that is trusted by users and enables learning 0pportunities. Although calls for CAM are increasing, many recommendations remain abstract and difficult to operationalize in specific projects. We review some general challenges for managing desertification in rangelands and draw upon recommendations in the recent literatura on CAM to develop a 6-step method to address desertification. The method draws upon our ongoing experiences and draw novel connections between CAM concepts and technologies including ecological sites, state-and-transition models, ecological state mapping, and web-based knowledge systems. The development of a broadly-applicable and flexible methodology for CAM could increase the frequency and success of projects and provide sorely needed knowledge to guide locally-tailored responses to desertification.