Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 6.4:
While individual trees have been protected from stock by tree guards, uncontrolled access to
water by stock is causing severe erosion at this site. (Photo by Rebecca Montague-Drake)
Some simple management actions have a significant positive effect on waterway
condition, the quality of water for livestock, and the quality of streams and natural
drainage lines as habitat for farm wildlife. First, it is important to halt or greatly
limit the amount of clearing of riparian vegetation. Second, fencing and the
controlled access of livestock to waterways can allow native vegetation to recover,
including submerged and semi-submerged aquatic plants. Third, riparian areas can
be good places to target for active planting programs to restore native vegetation
cover (see Chapter 3).
Fire poses a threat to the vegetation in natural drainage lines such as wetlands.
These areas can dry out during prolonged droughts and then be susceptible to
inappropriate burning practices. The vegetation and the fauna typical of natural
wetland environments can be extremely sensitive to fire and may take a prolonged
period to recover, especially if the burned area is subsequently grazed by livestock.
This is, in part, because the vegetation and the fauna has to deal with the
cumulative effects of three kinds of disturbance in rapid succession - prolonged
drought, fire and grazing.
