Abstract
The climate is changing and more change is in store. Projections of temperature change and CO2
increase are robust whilst rainfall changes remain uncertain (and in many locations increasingly uncertain
over time) even in terms of direction. The response to CO2 increase in terms of plant growth and soil
water relations is potentially large and positive but also uncertain. These changes will impact on almost all
parts of rangeland systems including pasture and livestock production, feed budgeting and safe carrying
capacity, fire, soil C, biomass C, heat stress and biodiversity. There is increasing focus on developing a
practical and effective array of adaptation responses and these are the frontline approach to living with
climate change. The evolution of science has been largely appropriate to help with this goal: moving from
conceptual frameworks to quantitative analysis; from climate change impacts analyses to concrete
adaptation and mitigation responses; from single-component studies to integrated responses
increase are robust whilst rainfall changes remain uncertain (and in many locations increasingly uncertain
over time) even in terms of direction. The response to CO2 increase in terms of plant growth and soil
water relations is potentially large and positive but also uncertain. These changes will impact on almost all
parts of rangeland systems including pasture and livestock production, feed budgeting and safe carrying
capacity, fire, soil C, biomass C, heat stress and biodiversity. There is increasing focus on developing a
practical and effective array of adaptation responses and these are the frontline approach to living with
climate change. The evolution of science has been largely appropriate to help with this goal: moving from
conceptual frameworks to quantitative analysis; from climate change impacts analyses to concrete
adaptation and mitigation responses; from single-component studies to integrated responses
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 19th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |