The purpose of ' Exclusion' areas.
The purpose of our Exclusion Zones
Exclusion fencing is any kind of robust, interlock mesh fencing that is taller than standard stock fencing (generally 1.5 to 2 metres high) Exclusion fencing is purpose built to prevent the movement of animals from one area to another or to exclude animals from a set area.
Our exclusion zones were established to exclude browsers so that over a two to five year period we can gain a better understanding on the browsing and grazing pressure across this low rainfall, relatively unproductive arid land. By excluding animals from five separate areas represented by different vegetation associations we hope to see significant changes inside of the enclosures.
Over time we plan to monitor plant species, their regeneration and recruitment. Initially the exclusion zones have been established with the first months giving an opportunity to map what species are present in the enclosure from construction day.
After the enclosures are all completed, we will manage the weeds and establish Photopoint associated with area to record the changes in plant species and condition as they are protected from browsing, grazing, digging and animal movement, a sound comparison from the area outside of the enclosures.
As the environment represented within 16:6 is not very productive with an annual rainfall of around 6 to 8 inches. Impacts such as over grazing, land clearance and erosion, wind, vehicle wheel ruts etc may take many years to recover.
In addition, much of the land in the Heritage Agreement has biophilic crust (Biological soil crust) which generally comprises Lichens, fungi, bryophytes, and algae . These form a crust on the surface of arid lands and protect the soil from erosion. High browsing and grazing animal numbers break this crust and leave the soil subject to erosion and make weed seed dispersal and generation more successful.
The species that we aim to exclude are our local herbivores, grazers and browsers which include kangaroos, wombats and emus and exotic species goats, and hares. (rabbits, and feral sheep have been also recorded in the area).
The fencing will not exclude smaller animals including birds (bar Emus) reptiles, amphibians or rodents.
Above is an extract from Naturmaps SA , which depicts the section of land and the associated vegetation
Exclusion zone 1- Is the house yard compound around the shed in which the equipment is secured. It has imapcts from our presence that are not relevant to the other four fenced areas, however, has the advantage of water being on site.
To read more see (link Regeneration) which provides additional information on remnant vegetation when fenced, grazing pressures can be managed, allowing natural regeneration and recruitment to start again. What is so positive is that damaged areas can often recover with little or no further assistance.