JERRY W. STUTH

Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

Abstract

Grazing lands constitute a major source of consumable products and a wealth of natural resource values for society. These resources are under pressure to feed the masses, protect biodiversity, manage for multiple sustained values and provide a standard of living for the holder of the land. Emerging challenges to management of grazing lands and guidance as to opportunities to address the complexity of land management for both on- and off-site values are discussed. The basic premise focuses on the importance of developing information infrastructures which link the producer, non-governmental organisations, scientists, action agency personnel and interested lay persons concerned about management of and multiple products/values derived from grazing lands. Establishment of communication infrastructures by government and industry is critical to providing linkages to biological, economic and social information needed to move environmental issues out of the realm of emotionalism to a more rational decision making environment. At issue is the creation of information infrastructures capable of linking major stakeholders with data, spatial images, analytical tools and expertise. Improved information systems should link knowledge seekers with knowledge creators, resulting in more focused science, and technology transfer being targeted for issues which enhance sustainability of our global grazing resources.