Reconciling economic and ecological conflicts for sustained management of grazing lands

The need to implement sustainable resource management regimes for Australia's extensive grazing lands is acute. Proposed solutions for promoting sustainable management typically seek to strike a balance between ecological and economic imperatives required to maintain the function of local ecosystems and to preserve the economic viability of the grazing enterprises. This paper explores some issues associated with the challenges of balancing ecological and economic objectives for the sustainable management of grazing lands. Some broad economic and ecological trends that might create conflict in defining sustainable management systems are considered. Prospective changes in resource use that may arise in response to these trends are also considered, along with barriers and opportunities that might retard or progress those changes. Some economic data, drawn from a case study of four grazing properties in the grassy woodlands of Queensland, are presented to highlight the difficulties of achieving an appropriate balance of ecological and economic outcomes for landscape management. Poor economic prospects and a range of practical management issues are apparent barriers to changing present practices on private land. Collective action to reduce the unit cost of management options also appears to offer little immediate attraction to landholders. Limited markets for conservation services and institutional constraints also impede the achievement of a better balance between economic and ecological objectives. Some suggestions are made on how to improve the prospects for adoption of sustainable land management practices.