As the primary land management activity in the region, cattle
grazing strongly influences biodiversity. Land degradation caused
by overgrazing has been noted as one of the main threats to
biodiversity in rangeland areas (
McCullough 2004 ). The specific impacts on biodiversity from
overgrazing are:
• reduction in ground cover, decreasing habitat and
resources for fauna and increasing potential for soil erosion
• eutrophication problems for wetlands and eventually
marine waters that support the Great Barrier Reef
• effects on plant diversity, with intensive grazing
favouring selected species
• inhibiting seed production from grasses favoured by
cattle (eg cockatoo grass)
• reduction in the diversity and abundance of soil crust
organisms through hoof damage
• unmanaged access to watering points along riparian and
wetland areas. Pressure on watering sites is greatest during dry
times, when vegetation is often under stress.