Call for Papers

Authors accepted for an oral presentation should visit the speakers‘ page for guidance on preparing your paper.

Conference Theme – Transition to Transformation

External factors are driving significant change across the Australian Rangelands as technology advances, social dynamics evolve, climate change impacts becoming apparent and products and markets change. The Rangelands community and industries are in a state of transition that will lead to major change in how rangelands are appreciated, used, managed and governed. To explore this and seek to inform future developments the theme for the conference is Transition to Transformation.

Conference Sub-themes

1. Living with climate change.

Climate change is happening across all the rangelands, with a drying climate in much of the southern rangelands.  How are environmental, economic and social systems coping? What changes to these systems are required? Is external assistance required and if so, what form should it take?

2. Transitioning to new industries.

Pastoralism and mining are still the predominant industries but what is happening regards new land uses such as defence, tourism, conservation management and niche agriculture? How is the carbon economy developing – what are the opportunities and constraints?  Are there alternative approaches to energy generation that take advantage of the rangelands’ characteristics.

3. Regional development in the rangelands.

What part can regional development activities play in a time of transition? What partners should be involved? How do they relate to regional and state/national priorities?

4. The changing grazing industries in the southern rangelands.

Pastoralism in much of the southern rangelands has faced increasing challenges over the last decade. What is happening in the small stock industries?  What is the influence of technology on day-to-day operations? What happens to natural resource management after ‘Landcare’? What are the research, development & engineering (RD&E) imperatives?

5. Northern Australian Development.

What part will the rangelands play in the Northern Australian Development Agenda?  What is happening now in the northern pastoral industry and what can we see in the future?

6. Changing face of Indigenous managed rangelands

Indigenous owned/managed lands occupy a large part of the Australian rangelands in some states/territories.  There is increasing diversity in how Indigenous peoples are using and managing their lands.  What is happening at the property, community, regional and State levels and what plans are there for the future? How can policy and R&D assist?

7. Coping with drought.

Much of eastern Australia is emerging from severe drought and is still dealing with its consequences. How are individual businesses, communities, and landscapes coping?  What are we learning that can be applied in the next drought? Has Australian politics and policy come to terms with the inevitable reality of drought? If not, can it ever?

8. Monitoring after ACRIS.

Governments are withdrawing resources, but we still need accountability for rangeland use and management.  What is required of landholders, industries and governments in the monitoring ‘space’?  If we can document change, what should be the response, and who should respond?

9. Capital flows in the rangelands.

A number of mega-trends relating to flows of human, financial, intellectual, social and built capital are becoming evident in the rangelands. There are areas and industries that are pulling in people, ideas, dollars and technology, versus areas where capital is being withdrawn or that may be missing out.  What happens to dependent towns after mining finishes?  How should government, communities and the R&D sector respond?

We look forward to receiving abstracts on the Conference theme, Transition to Transformation and sub-themes. These themes are not restrictive, and we welcome suggestions on other aspects of adaptation to change in rangeland activities that could be of interest to delegates. A diversity of presentation styles is encouraged, including case studies, video and interview. The representation of diverse voices is also encouraged, to include land managers, indigenous experience, businesses such as mining that are based on rangeland resources, researchers and students.

Students

Students are the bright future of the science and art of sustainable rangelands management and their enthusiastic attendance at past Australian Rangeland Conferences has injected much energy and hope for the future of rural and remote Australia.

The Society welcomes submissions from young researchers (abstracts for all modes of presentation have now closed).

Prizes

The Australian Rangeland Society awards six prizes: one each for best overall and best student paper, presentation and poster.

Further information

If you have any questions regarding the program or a paper/poster submission, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Erkelenz or Martin Andrew from the Program Sub-Committee.

General Conference enquiries can be directed to the Conference Organiser at ARSConference@austrangesoc.com.au or on +61 (0)429 352 058.