A tool for guided state and transition model development based on ecological theory

Authors: Bestelmeyer, Brandon; Williamson, Jebediah; McCord, Sarah

Submitted to: International Rangeland Congress
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2025
Publication Date: 6/2/2025
Citation: Bestelmeyer, B.T., Williamson, J.C., McCord, S.E. 2025. A tool for guided state and transition model development based on ecological theory. International Rangeland Congress. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: State-and-transition models (STMs) are ideally suited to provide management and restoration guidance as well as site-specific benchmarks for land degradation monitoring and measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) for ecosystem service markets. STMs, however, have been difficult to produce with sufficient consistency, utility, and accessibility to serve these functions. To address these problems, we developed the Ecosystem Transition Sandbox and Ecosystem Transition Atlas tools that guide users through the production of STMs featuring 1) guidance for defining land units based on the maximum spatial extent of an STM, 2) menus for attributing each STM component (i.e. states and elements of transition narratives) with standard, logic-based classes, 3) guidance for structuring STM narrative portions in an efficient and consistent way, 4) guidance for inclusion and interpretation of quantitative indicators and benchmarks, and 5) an online storage and display solution (the Atlas). This tool supports collaborative development of STMs at a variety of scales and can be adapted to different classification systems used on rangelands globally. The STM tool and database can facilitate a broad understanding of rangeland ecosystem dynamics by developers, users, and the public at large.

Technical Abstract: State-and-transition models (STMs) are ideally suited to provide management and restoration guidance as well as site-specific benchmarks for land degradation monitoring and measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MMRV) for ecosystem service markets. STMs, however, have been difficult to produce with sufficient consistency, utility, and accessibility to serve these functions. To address these problems, we developed the Ecosystem Transition Sandbox and Ecosystem Transition Atlas tools that guide users through the production of STMs featuring 1) guidance for defining land units based on the maximum spatial extent of an STM, 2) menus for attributing each STM component (i.e. states and elements of transition narratives) with standard, logic-based classes, 3) guidance for structuring STM narrative portions in an efficient and consistent way, 4) guidance for inclusion and interpretation of quantitative indicators and benchmarks, and 5) an online storage and display solution (the Atlas). This tool supports collaborative development of STMs at a variety of scales and can be adapted to different classification systems used on rangelands globally. The STM tool and database can facilitate a broad understanding of rangeland ecosystem dynamics by developers, users, and the public at large.