Grazing and Conservation Management

About this book

Paperback reprint of a 1996 book.

Grazing animals enjoy an ambiguous reputation in the field of nature conservation. Livestock are often treated as a scourge, yet native large herbivores form the prime attraction of many a reserve. Grazing and Conservation Management gives the first comprehensive overview of the use of grazing as a tool in conservation management. Considering in turn the ecological and historical background, the impact of grazing on community structure, management applications and future prospects, Grazing and Conservation Management examines issues such as the role of herbivores as keystone species, the assessment of habitat quality and the function of scientific models in advancing grazing management. Large herbivores are shown to be potentially powerful allies in the management of nature reserves, particularly in the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of biodiversity.

Grazing and Conservation Management will appeal to conservation biologists and rangeland managers, providing them with a clearer understanding of grazing and conservation management.

Contents

- Theoretical background
- The development of grassland communities in north-western Europe
- Evaluation - changes in plant species richness
- Changes in plant communities
- Structural diversity and boundary effects
- Effects on the fauna
- Effects on soil characteristics (nutrients, decomposition, accumulation of litter)
- Changes in Dutch landscapes in relation to mangement options
- Limiting factors - animal performance and carrying capacity
- Grazing in relation to other environmental factors (hydrology, acid rain, plant geography, time)
- Conclusion and perspectives

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