Introduced herbivores are an important component of rangeland grazing systems. For a variety of reasons: densities of introduced herbivores are usually uncontrolled, their abundance being regulated through interactive plant- herbivore processes. Because of the dominant effect of rainfall on these processes, mechanisms affecting the potential that introduced herbivores have to impact upon the rangelands pasture resource are complex. Despite this, current management of introduced herbivores assumes overly simple relationships between herbivore abundance and pasture availability. It is argued that to develop sensible management options for introduced herbivores, they should be recognised as another component of rangelands grazing systems, and their influence on such systems understood. Examples of how incorporating introduced herbivores into our understanding of grazing system dynamics, helps identify appropriate information and management needs, are given. These examples emphasise the role of competition between introduced and domestic herbivores.
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.