are rated above average yet the grass frequency trend is marginally down with stock numbers trending up. This suggests that stock numbers are reducing the capacity of the rangeland to respond to the more favourable seasons. Both these factors suggest that the increase in stock numbers in the Pilbara is unlikely to be sustainable. A return to average seasons or perhaps below average seasons could cause significant problems if stock numbers are not rapidly reduced. As expected with declining seasonal conditions in the Shrublands, the decline in recorded shrub densities was more pronounced. Overall for the period from Epoch 2 to Epoch 3 there has been an 8% decline in plant numbers in the Shrublands. The largest decline (15%) was in the sites that had below average seasonal conditions. There was still a 3% decline in plant numbers in sites that had above average seasonal conditions, suggesting that season alone was not the only factor. It would be anticipated that in above average seasons plant numbers would increase. However in six LCDs where seasonal conditions were rated as above average, plant numbers have declined. This suggests that stock densities are potentially too high to allow the favourable seasonal conditions to be expressed.
are rated above average yet the grass frequency trend is marginally down with stock numbers trending up. This suggests that stock numbers are reducing the capacity of the rangeland to respond to the more favourable seasons. Both these factors suggest that the increase in stock numbers in the Pilbara is unlikely to be sustainable. A return to average seasons or perhaps below average seasons could cause significant problems if stock numbers are not rapidly reduced. As expected with declining seasonal conditions in the Shrublands, the decline in recorded shrub densities was more pronounced. Overall for the period from Epoch 2 to Epoch 3 there has been an 8% decline in plant numbers in the Shrublands. The largest decline (15%) was in the sites that had below average seasonal conditions. There was still a 3% decline in plant numbers in sites that had above average seasonal conditions, suggesting that season alone was not the only factor. It would be anticipated that in above average seasons plant numbers would increase. However in six LCDs where seasonal conditions were rated as above average, plant numbers have declined. This suggests that stock densities are potentially too high to allow the favourable seasonal conditions to be expressed.
Department%20of%20Agriculture%20and%20Food%20Annual%20report%202010%20-%20Word.docx