TY - JOUR

T1 - Global assessment of the non-equilibrium theory of rangelands

T2 - Revisited and refined

AU - Engler, John Oliver

AU - von Wehrden, Henrik

PY - 2018/1/1

Y1 - 2018/1/1

N2 - We re-investigate evidence for the non-equilibrium concept for rangelands using a georeferenced data base of N = 83 studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Following up on a previous study by von Wehrden et al. (2012), we use their global map of rainfall variability and their method to distinguish between three different types of degradation depending on the presence or absence of water sources or key resources in the studied areas. Addressing recent discussions in the rangeland science community, we include the distinction between commercial or subsistence use as parameter in our data base. We find that zonal degradation, i.e. degradation with no presence of water or key resources, is predominantly reported for locations with a precipitation coefficient of variation below the threshold of 33%, as proposed by the non-equilibrium concept. We do not find any statistical evidence for a systematic difference between commercial and subsistence farming in terms of degradation incidence.

AB - We re-investigate evidence for the non-equilibrium concept for rangelands using a georeferenced data base of N = 83 studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Following up on a previous study by von Wehrden et al. (2012), we use their global map of rainfall variability and their method to distinguish between three different types of degradation depending on the presence or absence of water sources or key resources in the studied areas. Addressing recent discussions in the rangeland science community, we include the distinction between commercial or subsistence use as parameter in our data base. We find that zonal degradation, i.e. degradation with no presence of water or key resources, is predominantly reported for locations with a precipitation coefficient of variation below the threshold of 33%, as proposed by the non-equilibrium concept. We do not find any statistical evidence for a systematic difference between commercial and subsistence farming in terms of degradation incidence.

KW - Climatic variability

KW - Commercial farming

KW - Degradation

KW - Drylands

KW - Grazing

KW - Rainfall

KW - Rangeland management

KW - Subsistence farming

KW - Sustainability Science

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034776675&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.11.026

DO - 10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.11.026

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85034776675

VL - 70

SP - 479

EP - 484

JO - Land Use Policy

JF - Land Use Policy

SN - 0264-8377

ER -