Measuring the social and ecological performance of agricultural innovations on rangelands: Progress and plans for an indicator framework in the LTAR network

Abstract

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network launched the LTAR Agricultural Performance Indicator Framework to evaluate how agricultural innovations perform relative to sustainable intensification goals in five domains: Environment, Productivity, Economic, Human Condition, and Social. Here we describe our progress and plans for measuring the performance of agricultural innovations on rangelands. We present a method for measuring outcomes of management innovations against site-specific benchmarks, which can be applied in grazinglands worldwide. LTAR typically studies management on fine scales (ecological site, ranch); how to measure effects on broad scales (landscape, community) remains a persistent question. LTAR’s Agricultural Performance Indicator Framework will evolve with stakeholder engagement.