Ecologic, Economic, and Social Considerations for Rangeland Sustainability: An Integrated Conceptual Framework

Use and sustainability of rangelands are inherently linked to the health and sustainability of the land. They are also inherently linked to the social and economic infrastructures that complement and support those rangelands and rangeland uses. Ecological systems and processes provide the biological interactions underlying ecosystem health and viability. Social and economic infrastructures and processes provide the framework or context in which rangeland use occurs and continues. All these systems and processes interact and feedback on each other over time and space. To look at rangeland sustainability exclusive of any of the three basic components, ecologic, economic, and social, is to look at an incomplete picture. Such an incomplete picture misinforms and misguides decision makers as they seek sustainable management. This paper proposes a conceptual framework providing for interactions between ecologic, economic, and social aspects of rangeland use and sustainability. While the specific example relates to rangelands, the framework is generalizable to any natural resource.