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An assessment of feral horse impacts on treeless drainage lines in the Australian Alps
Author(s) -
Robertson Geoff,
Wright John,
Brown Daniel,
Yuen Kally,
Tongway David
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ecological management and restoration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.472
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1442-8903
pISSN - 1442-7001
DOI - 10.1111/emr.12359
Subject(s) - equus , habitat , threatened species , ecology , geography , vegetation (pathology) , ecosystem , herbivore , range (aeronautics) , biology , medicine , materials science , pathology , composite material
Summary The feral Horse ( Equus caballus ) is widespread across the Australian Alps. Feral horses degrade alpine and sub‐alpine ecosystems and damage habitat of a range of threatened species. Despite this, there is little published work to document the extent and severity of these impacts. This study investigated impacts of feral horses on treeless drainage lines at 186 sites across the Australian Alps. The study included sites in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria. We assessed nine variables related to soil and stream stability and vegetation cover, which in turn influence ecosystem function and habitat quality. We found significant differences among horse‐occupied and horse‐free sites for all soil and stream stability variables assessed. For all variables assessed, the average score (and hence, condition) was worse in horse‐occupied areas. The sites in poorest condition were occupied by horses. Impacts from other mammalian herbivores species appeared to be minor. Management intervention is necessary if these impacts of feral horses are to be addressed.