Conservation grazing is the use of semi-feral or domesticated grazing livestock to maintain and increase the biodiversity of natural or semi-natural grasslands, heathlands, wood pasture, wetlands and many other habitats.
Also called targeted grazing when used to meet specific goals for rangeland, conservation grazing is generally less intensive than practices such as prescribed burning, but still needs to be managed to ensure that overgrazing does not occur. The practice has proven to be beneficial in moderation in restoring and maintaining grassland and heathland ecosystems. The optimal level of grazing will depend on the goal of conservation, and different levels of grazing, alongside other conservation practices, can be used to induce the desired results.
Read more about Conservation Grazing: History, Conservation Grazing in Practice, Effect On Ephemeral Wetland Ecosystems
Famous quotes containing the words conservation and/or grazing:
“The putting into force of laws which shall secure the conservation of our resources, as far as they may be within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, including the more important work of saving and restoring our forests and the great improvement of waterways, are all proper government functions which must involve large expenditure if properly performed.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“My men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns,
Shall with their goat feet dance an antic hay.”
—Christopher Marlowe (1564–1593)