Grazing animals enjoy an ambiguous reputation in the field of nature
conservation. Livestock are often treated as a scourge, yet native large
herbivores form the prime attraction of many a reserve. This book gives
the first comprehensive overview of the use of grazing as a tool in
conservation management. Considering in turn the ecological and
historical background, the impact of grazing on community structure,
management applications and future prospects, this book examines issues
such as the role of herbivores as keystone species, the assessment of
habitat quality and the function of scientific models in advancing
grazing management. Large herbivores are shown to be potentially
powerful allies in the management of nature reserves, particularly in
the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of biodiversity.
Grazing and Conservation Management will appeal to conservation
biologists and rangeland managers, providing them with a clearer
understanding of grazing and conservation management.