Evolved over Millenia the predator and prey relationship is at the heart of a thriving natural environment.
After wolves were hunted to extinction in the earlier part of the 20th Century, Elk populations exploded in Yellowstone National Park with regular culling ineffective to control numbers. The highly controversial reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park in 1995 if wolves was initiated to prevent overgrazing of elk by keeping their numbers in check. This was achieved but what surprised researchers was the multitude of other positive and unexpected environmental outcomes that have seen ecological balance restored in the National Park.
Wolf pressure changed the behaviour of Elk (which culling alone did not achieve). Because of the wolves, elk grazing habits changed and they stopped pressuring river side fauna as heavily. This allowed trees and other plants to re-establish, including willow which is favoured by beavers. As beavers returned their ‘damming’ of sections of rivers slowed the flow of water, hydrating surrounding landscape, allowing still more plant species to re-establish. Erosion was halted and eventually repaired as the river flow slowed and spread. Many more relationships and changes occurred because of wolves, and serves as a reminder to us of the complex nature of ecosystems and the food web which we very rarely grasp.
What does this mean for us, as graziers? As the Apex predator we need to manage the behaviour of our livestock sensitively to create a positive rather than negative trophic cascade. In the wild it may seem like large herds of herbivores have free access to massive tracts of land however their behaviour is controlled by predators. Prey animals, under predator pressure, do not stay too long in an area and they do not spread apart too widely as then they become targets. We can create conditions, to mirror these natural systems, with cleverly placed, preferably moveable fences and water points. These simple measures can kick-start better water and nutrient cycling which in time improve the fertility and resilience of our managed landscapes. And for a relatively low ongoing cost. Come and see us at the Kandanga Farm Store for a holistic approach to your farm management.
