Rangelands Monitoring Tool

Starting in 2007, the evolution of this industry-centric application has undergone numerous transformations. Originally available exclusively on Apple devices for the Gascoyne region, it expanded to incorporate data from the Pilbara area. In 2022, substantial investments were made for the creation of new reports, resulting in the comprehensive and operational tool that exists today.

The tool's applicability presently centers around plant species specified within the app, catering exclusively to pastoralists in the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions

Apple App

Andriod App

Web-based Access

...an evolution from concept to web based application

2007

Gascoyne Catchments Group has developed the Rangelands Monitoring Tool© — an industry-driven, industry-endorsed self-assessment and reporting tool for pastoralists.

This tool builds on the long-standing legacy of the Pasture Monitoring Sites initiative, originally developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA in the early 1980s. It is designed to maintain, enhance, and expand on the valuable data collected through these existing sites.

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The Rangelands Monitoring Tool© is a practical, self-assessment process that supports informed rangeland management by providing:

Trends in perennial shrub and grass species to track changes in pasture composition
Indicators of perennial vegetation health to monitor long-term rangeland condition
Monitoring of soil health, including stability, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling
A consistent method to assess and record the type and severity of erosion
Insights that support better day-to-day management decisions on pastoral leases

The data collected through this tool can be used to inform engagement with regulators, agricultural industries, and conservation agencies. It also offers a credible and transparent basis to communicate the condition and management of rangeland resources to the broader public.

Most importantly, the tool empowers pastoral managers to make evidence-based adjustments in response to changes in land and vegetation indicators.

2017 - 2019

In 2017, Gascoyne Catchments Group collaborated with the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association to integrate shrub and grass species relevant to the Pilbara region of Western Australia into the Rangelands Monitoring Tool.

This collaboration also enabled offline functionality, improving accessibility for land managers operating in remote areas.

In 2019, Gascoyne Catchments Group launched an iOS application, making it easier to use the tool directly in the field.

2023

Thanks to the support of Province Resources, Gascoyne Catchments Group has transitioned the Rangelands Monitoring Tool app to a new platform.

What this means for users:

Available on both Apple and Android devices, as well as via the website
Improved usability and easier access to historical data
Continued access to all your existing data
We're also working towards making the new reporting feature available directly through the app

Fieldbased

The Rangelands Monitoring Tool has species data, including sceintific & common names; descriptions and images to easy of use in the field.

Whole of property monitoring

Evidence based, self assessment developed to encourage ecological sustainability. The Rangelands Monitoring Tool works on a value based approached to assessing & monitoring perennial species trends, removing subjective conclusions to rangelands trends.

Reporting

The Rangelands Monitoring has the ability to report by land system, species type and a full station report. The full station report outlining the site stability index store.

Rangelands Monitoring Tool

...an evolution from concept to web based application

2007

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2017 - 2019

2023

Rangelands Monitoring Tool Partners