The influence of grazing management and total grazing pressure fencing on ground cover and floristic diversity in the semi-arid rangelands

The influence of grazing management and total grazing pressure fencing on ground cover and floristic diversity in the semi-arid rangelands Conference Paper

17th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference

• Author(s): C. Waters, G, Melville, A. McMurtrie, W. Smith, T. Atkinson, Y. Alemseged
• Published: 2012
• Publisher: Australian Rangeland Society

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Abstract: The contribution of non-domestic grazing pressure to pastoral areas of western NSW has been reported to increase grazing intensity by at least 50%. Any control of these external grazing pressures will increase the capacity for landholders to manage and restore pastoral areas. The use of total grazing pressure (TGP) fencing to enhance ground cover is assumed but as yet unproven. This paper describes the preliminary results of a study that is assessing the impact of TGP fencing in combination with alternative grazing management on ground cover and floristic diversity in western NSW. Two management systems - ‘TGP fencing with rotational grazing’ and ‘non-TGP fencing with set stocking’- were contrasted using a series of paired sites in similar landscapes. Non-TGP fencing with set stocking resulted in less than half the floristic diversity and almost twice the proportion of bare ground compared with TGP fencing and rotational grazing. These preliminary results suggest that both catchment targets of maintaining 40% ground cover and increased biodiversity can be achieved by combining rotational grazing with control of total grazing pressure.

• Urls: https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Poster-6-5-Cathy-Waters.pdf , https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/biennial-conference/17th-biennial-conference-papers-2012/
• Publisher Location: Kununurra, Western Australia,