ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the future development and implementation of the concept of range condition. Range condition analysis has focused on species composition, forage production, and soil erosion conditions, or animal productivity. A system for describing range condition must acknowledge that successional sequences are inherently complicated, and the complexity may be increased by the management practices imposed by rangeland managers. In fact, by focusing on appropriate levels of organization and by controlling the landscape configuration of vegetation and water sources, it might be possible to reach new levels of management. Rangeland simulation models may be coupled with economic models to project the likely economic as well as ecologic consequences of management decisions. Ecologists could as easily take the initiative by posing ideas and recommendations to be developed with the land-management agencies. Individual land owners with particularly appropriate rangelands could be actively involved in prototype testing of schemes developed in concert with ecologists.
