Opportunistic management for rangelands not at equilibrium

The traditional range succession model is associated with the management objective of achieving an equilibrium condition under an equilibrium grazing policy. The state-and-transition model would describe rangelands by means of catalogues of alternative states and catalogues of possible transitions between states. Transitions often require a combination of climatic circumstances and management action (fire, grazing, or removal of grazing) to bring them about. Under the state-and-transition model, range management would not see itself as establishing a permanent equilibrium. Rather, it would see itself as engaged in a continuing game, the object of which is to seize opportunities and to evade hazards, so far as possible. The emphasis would be on timing and flexibility. -from Authors