The Effects of Artificial Sources of Water on Rangeland Biodiversity: Final report to the Biodiversity Convention and Strategy Section of the Biodiver

J. Landsberg, C. D. James, S. R. Morton, J. Hobbs, J. Stol, A. Drew and H. Tongway
CSIRO, Division of Wildlife and Ecology and Environment Australia

The study aimed to determine the effects of the provision of artificial waters and of the grazing it allows, on the native plants and animals inhabiting two of the major biomes of inland Australia. The study was based on field surveys which sampled biodiversity along gradients in grazing intensity extending out from artificial water sources. Given how widespread artificial waters have become throughout the rangelands, the results suggest that some 15-38% of species are at risk of declining substantially throughout these lands. Although similar proportions of species are favoured by the provision of water and grazing, and from 36-75% seem unaffected by it, the challenge is to develop strategies that will provide for the persistence of the vulnerable decreased species.

Although this study is directly related to the Daly Region, with the plans for future development and maybe an increase in artificial water sources, it is important to be aware of their effects.