Arid land management

Abstract Australia's arid and semiarid lands comprise about 80% of the continent. The human population of around 300,000 is very low. The dominant land use is the pastoral industry. However, other interacting land uses include national parks, mining and aboriginal lands. Some of the impacts of European people on soils, vegetation and native wildlife, following almost 200 years of settlement are discussed. Management of arid lands for sustainable long-term yield requires integrated studies into the physical and biological environment. The central issue for the administration and management of arid grazing lands is the accurate estimation of grazing capacity in relation to the wide annual fluctuations in available forage for livestock in arid regions. Any estimate for grazing capacity must be such that wool or meat production is maximal, or near-maximal, and that soil and vegetation stability is maintained over the long-term. The basic ecological components for such an arid grazing land management programme are described. The programme also provides the essential information base on which future decisions on land administration issues can be made by policy makers.