Cattle grazing is one of the major land-uses in Central Queensland, and has a major impact on many of our natural assets. Improved grazing land management has the potential to maintain biodiversity values and contribute to the conservation of plants and animals.  Central Queensland graziers have recently undertaken some innovative management techniques to increase the sustainability of grazing, while at the same time protecting biodiversity. These measures include:

• fencing of riparian (river/creek) vegetation, and
• provision of off-stream watering sources

The Biodiversity and Grazing project is being undertaken by researchers from the Central Queensland University. The project will assess whether such conservation management of riparian vegetation leads to benefits for plants and animals and improves the sustainability of grazing on adjacent land.

Five research sites have been selected within the Brigalow Belt bioregion within the Fitzroy River catchment and within a distance of 200 km of the coast to reduce effects of climatic variability on biodiversity attributes.