Rangeland Ecology & Management

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The Outsiders: Competition Between Introduced Herbivores and Domestic Stock in Rangeland Grazing Systems
Author
Choquenot, David
Publisher
Australian Rangeland Society
Publication Year
1992
Body

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.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Paper
Conference Name
7th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference
Keywords
grazing systems
Introduced varieties
Domestic cattle
Australia
Introduced Herbivores