Development of a rangeland resilience and threats (rrat) tool for US producers

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Central Program Planning Coordination and Support awarded a $230,667 cooperative agreement to the University of Arizona on January 1, 2026, under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001) to develop an integrated Rangeland Resilience and Threats (RRAT) toolset for US producers.

The RRAT tool will enable assessment of rangeland resilience and threats to support land use planning, strategies to increase agricultural production, prioritizing and assessing restoration and reclamation outcomes, and conducting research into conservation practice efficacy on rangelands. The toolset will integrate datasets and tools developed across Conservation Effects Assessment Project–Grasslands and Pasture (CEAP-GL) partners and build on data accessibility and interpretation tools from the Landscape Data Commons. The RRAT will help producers interpret production threats, identify where conservation practices and restoration are needed, evaluate practice effectiveness and management objective attainment, and build capacity for informed adaptive management.

Work is performed in Tucson, Arizona, with a period of performance from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. The University of Arizona operates as the Arizona Board of Regents for this award.