A Tool for Projecting Rangeland Vegetation Response to Management and Climate

On the Ground • New technologies may enhance management by enabling quantitative testing of assumptions of vegetation response to climate and management. State-and-transition simulation models can keep track of interactions that are too complicated for us to comprehend using only conceptual models. • This tool takes conceptual state-and-transition models to the next level, fostering greater communication and dialogue with stakeholders. Based on the models and climate data used here, increased drought may enhance transitions between vegetative states. • It is important to be as explicit and quantitative as possible as to how you expect vegetation states or ecosystem processes to transition between one another.