Australia's Northern Savannas: A Time for Change in Management Philosophy

Much of Australia's northern savannas have A system of management of tropical tallgrass savanna is undergone substantial change and degradation in the century described in which the grazing area is rotationally burnt on of grazing by sheep and cattle. The extent of change is vari- an annual basis and stock are supplemented to overcome able - from relatively minor changes in perennial grass nutrient limitations. The rotational burn has the dual advan- species to more serious and irreversible woody weed inva- tages of attracting animals away from previously heavily sion and sheet and gully erosion, depending upon character- grazed areas and so halting pasture decline and of improv- istics such as soil type, original species and year-year rainfall ing the quality and accessibility of the grasses in the late variability. The root causes of this degradation have been the dry and early wet seasons. Annual animal liveweight gains increase in stock numbers in response to the cost/price are more than doubled over those obtained under normal squeeze in recent years and the uncontrolled grazing of stock. commercial management. This is the type of system which Concern for the long-term effects of these changes have, may have some chance of adoption and which will prove to until recently, only been of interest to the urban population be sustainable. when the effects of change have affected their lifestyles by, Structural adjustment in the industry is required. Fortu- for instance, polluting water supply dams. Nowadays grazi- nately some grazier groups recognize the problems and are ers and scientists alike are faced with the demands of the responding favourably to the new demands for sustain- urban populations to develop sustainable systems of land ability. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of long-term management. Such systems will need to offer higher profit research from which to draw information. levels than current management methods otherwise they will not be adopted and the conflict between rural land- Key words. Degradation, grazing, savanna, fire, supple- holders and urban philosophy will worsten. ments, Australia.