Conservation grazing or targeted grazing[1] 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.[2][3] Conservation grazing is generally less intensive than practices such as prescribed burning,[3] 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. Conservation or monitored grazing has been implemented into regenerative agriculture programs to restore soil and overall ecosystem health of current working landscapes. The optimal level of grazing and grazing animal will depend on the goal of conservation. Different levels of grazing, alongside other conservation practices, can be used to induce desired results.[4]
- ^ Launchbaugh, Karen (2006). Targeted Grazing: A natural approach to vegetation management and landscape enhancement. National Sheep Industry Improvement Center in Cooperation with the American Sheep Industry Association.
- ^ Conservation Grazing Peninsula Open Space Trust, California, US, 2009. (cited 2009 Mar 11)
- ^ a b What is Conservation Grazing? Archived 2020-04-09 at the Wayback Machine Grazing Advice Partnership, UK, 2009.
- ^ "Free-Range Landscaping Rent-a-goat.com and Others Bring in Herds to Trim the Yard, Get Rid of Weeds". The Wall Street Journal.