P.PSH.1654 - Rangelands regeneration in northern Western Australia – proof of concept trial
Did you know this project helps pastoralists boost productivity and climate resilience by improving soil, water and vegetation function, enabling more reliable feed, stronger landscapes, and new income opportunities through natural capital?
| Project start date: | 14 December 2025 |
| Project end date: | 29 November 2026 |
| Publication date: | 16 June 2026 |
| Project status: | In progress |
| Livestock species: | Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Western Australia |
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Summary
The Kimberley region is ecologically rich and economically vital, but decades of degradation have reduced its resilience. This Proof-of-Concept (POC) project explored opportunities to restore landscapes using proven rehydration and regenerative grazing techniques, while unlocking new income streams through environmental markets. The project will develop a roadmap for intervention screening; monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) technologies; and market method alignment. It will also build a base economic model to demonstrate measurable returns for pastoralists. A key output is a case study for communications, aligned with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, showcasing the value of restoration and pastoralists as agents of change.
Objectives
The project aimed to evaluate how regenerative grazing and landscape rehydration can restore Kimberley rangelands while maintaining productive beef systems. It will combine a literature review and gap analysis with targeted on-ground trials to identify practical, scalable interventions and fit-for-purpose monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) methods. A key objective was to assess environmental data requirements, costs, and feasibility for participation in natural capital and environmental markets. The project also developed a case study and preliminary roadmap, demonstrating pathways to improve landscape function, support climate outcomes, and enhance long-term economic viability for pastoralists.
Key findings
The project found that regenerative grazing and rehydration practices can measurably improve soil function, with higher total and labile soil organic carbon observed in treated areas (e.g. topsoil carbon ranging from ~0.26–0.83% and increasing under improved management). These changes aligned with better groundcover, water infiltration and nutrient cycling, indicating more effective rainfall use and stronger pasture growth. Field and biological data also showed enhanced soil microbial activity and functions linked to aggregation, carbon cycling and climate resilience in managed sites. Overall, the findings demonstrate that building natural capital directly underpins more reliable productivity, increased drought resilience, and potential access to emerging environmental markets.
Benefits to industry
The project has positively impacted industry by demonstrating practical, evidence-based ways to improve productivity and resilience through better soil, water and pasture management in extensive rangeland systems. It has also provided a foundation for producers to engage with emerging natural capital and environmental markets by clarifying viable practices, data needs and investment pathways.
MLA action
MLA has used the project outcomes to build a practical evidence base and roadmap for integrating natural capital into northern WA grazing systems, including identifying scalable interventions, MRV approaches, and investment priorities. The findings have been translated into a case study and communicated to industry stakeholders through reporting and planned webinars to support adoption and awareness. In addition, the results are informing future R&D priorities, particularly around data, monitoring frameworks, and market readiness for environmental outcomes in extensive rangelands.
Future research
The project has strengthened industry capability by providing practical, evidence-based information on improving natural capital outcomes in complex rangeland systems. It has clarified scalable management practices, data requirements, and investment pathways, enabling producers to improve productivity and resilience while positioning themselves to access emerging environmental markets.
More information
| Project manager: | Courtney Nelson |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
