Issue: Pressures on biodiversity - Grazing pressure
This is an issue under the Biodiversity theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
Grazing, primarily by introduced domestic herbivores, mostly sheep and cattle, impacts on biodiversity through a range of effects, including direct removal of some species, changes in structure and species composition of grasslands, shrublands and woodlands, alteration to habitat in mid-and lower storeys of forests and grasslands, and impacts on soil structure and water infiltration. Naturalised wild species and altered populations of native herbivores may also contribute marginally to grazing pressure.
Indicators
- BD-13 Examples of the impact of grazing on biodiversity
Grazing by introduced herbivores can cause widespread damage through trampling and fouling of waterholes, selective, indiscriminate or close grazing of vegetation which in turn removes habitat of resident animal species, spreading weeds and trampling the home sites of ground-dwelling animals. Reduction in groundcover in turn exposes bare soil to erosion.
The quality of the mid-storey and understorey of forest and woodland ecosystems can be significantly modified as a result of grazing by livestock, or clearing for grazing, and simplification of these ecosystems can lead to a decline in species and genetic variability. In general, as grazing pressure increases, the total number of resident species and the populations of some of these species are reduced, reducing the overall diversity and resilience of the ecosystem.
Suitable indicators for measuring grazing pressure on biodiversity have not been developed. Research and examples may shed some light on the extent of these pressures. - LD-19 Land use and land use change
Grazing is the most extensive land use in Australia. - LD-20 Total grazing pressure relative to net primary productivity
Grazing by introduced herbivores can cause widespread damage through trampling and of fouling waterholes, selective indiscriminate or close grazing of vegetation, spreading weeds and trampling the home sites of ground-dwelling animals. Reduction in groundcover in turn exposes bare soil to erosion.
The quality of the mid-storey and understorey of forest and woodland ecosystems can be significantly modified as a result of grazing by livestock, or clearing for grazing, and simplification of these ecosystems can lead to a decline in species and genetic variability. In general, as grazing pressure increases, the total number of resident species is reduced, reducing the overall diversity and resilience of the ecosystem.
This indicator measures the pressure of grazing by introduced domestic animals in terms of the biomass available for grazing and therefore gives a broad picture of the area of the continent affected by various degrees of grazing pressure. Areas of high biomass tend to be more diverse, so the indicator gives an indication of areas where the most biodiversity is at risk from grazing, but it also gives an indication of low biomass areas under pressure from grazing where much more fragile remnant biodiversity may be at risk. - LD-40 Current research into pressures and contributions of naturalised introduced species
Although the primary cause of grazing pressure in Australia is from domestic farm animals, naturalised species can also contribute marginally to this pressure.
Related issues
- Land - Direct pressure of human activities on the land - Species introduction and species change
- Inland Waters - Human response - policy and management - Management of aquatic biota and biodiversity
- Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of shipping
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