Document: CRA-3-65-47
Regional conservation planning in Australian rangelands
JAMES, C.D.* 1, A.FISHER 2, M.S.SMITH 1, J.LONGWORTH 1, J.MACONOCHIE 3, R.TYNAN 3 and J.LANDSBERG 4
CSIRO Centre for Arid Zone Research, Alice Springs, N.T. 0871 Australia 1
Northern Territory Parks & Wildlife Commission, Palmerston, N.T. 0831 Australia 2
South Australian Department of Environment, Heritage & Aboriginal Affairs, Adelaide, S.A. 5001 Australia 3
CSIRO Wildlife & Ecology, c/o James Cook Uni, Cairns, Qld 4870 Australia 4
Abstract:
Results from studies of the effects of grazing on native biota in Australian rangelands have indicated a general relationship between changes in biodiversity and grazing intensity. These results show that most species are tolerant of, or advantaged by, grazing activities of cattle and sheep on well-managed pastoral properties. However, a small but significant component of the flora and fauna appears to be highly sensitive to grazing. Specific planning is required for their conservation. We use the relationship between grazing intensity and distance from permanent drinking water, in combination with responses of biota to grazing, and conservation principles, to develop plans for off-reserve conservation networks at regional scales in Australia's arid rangelands. Landsystem mapping is used as a surrogate for biodiversity distribution where detailed survey data are not available. Fence-line and waterpoint locations are used to assess grazing intensity. These are overlain on landsystems to calculate classes of grazing-disturbance in each landsystem type. Reserve planning principles such as complementarity of locations, size, spacing and connectivity are considered in developing regional plans but most of the decisions about these variables are "best-guesses" in the absence of data. The economic costs of implementation of hypothetical regional conservation plans have also been calculated. So far, planning has been hypothetical with frequent consultation of pastoralists in the study regions, but economic crises and market opportunities are encouraging pastoralists to implement these ideas.
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This abstract is being presented at: 4:00 PM in session:
Oral Session #51: Disturbance Ecology: Harvesting, Grazing and Roads.