Some points from Artificial Watering Points
review:
- A large proportion of Australia consists of arid and semi-arid
rangelands of which the sustainability of biodiversity has become a
real concern
- Water points with in the rangelands have spread to high
densities since the discovery of the Great Artesian Basin
- Today, the average distance between water points is less than
10km
- With provision of water livestock densities and distribution
have increased significantly
- Grazing pressure is a contributor to declines of some rangeland
species, influencing the quality and quantity of the
ecosystem
- Livestock movement is dependant on water, thus grazing impacts
are often greatest around water sources
- Monitoring and regular observations play an integral part in
management practices
- Managers need to be able to distinguish between distinction of
pressure, grazing induced change, seasonal fluctuations and other
variables
- To date, the monitoring of rangeland biodiversity has received
little consideration
- Biodiversity indicators assist in the assessment of relative
ecosystem condition. These include biotic, environmental,
pressure and landscape attributes
- Suitable indicators are needed that recognize spatial and
temporal variation. Satellite monitoring techniques have been
proposed as a means of identifying historical change
- Various approaches to the assessment of vegetation cover have
been built on satellite pictures, evaluating cover, vegetation
mixture and the development of various vegetation indices
Further information available in The impact of Artificial Watering Points on Rangeland
Biodiversity Review compiled by A L Howes & C A
McAlpine
(information on this page extracted from review)
