Uncontrolled access by domestic stock to riparian land can lead to excessive run-off, bank erosion, loss of productive land, decline in important wildlife habitat, reduced water quality and damage to in-stream ecosystems.
Unfortunately, domestic stock, particularly cattle, favour riparian frontages and, if not managed carefully, will spend much of their time along streambanks and in the water. The result is usually over grazing that erodes bank soils allowing weed invasion, and develops stock tracks that erode during heavy rain. This results in increased sediment and nutrients being washed into the stream. Inputs of animal dung and urine are important factors in reduced water quality for downstream users.
It is often not necessary to permanently exclude animals from riparian lands, but it is important to control their movement and to manage grazing pressure. This takes a bit of planning and effort, but many landholders are discovering that in the long-run, significant payoffs can be gained through increased production, improved water quality, stable streambanks and healthy riparian vegetation.
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Sourced from Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board