Tip #8: Use herbivores Herbivory has been nature's solution for managing overgrown vegetation for hundreds of millions of years. We should take the hint, and realize that of all the tools humans have available to manage vegetation, nothing beats herbivory for maximizing ecological function. + - ThreadSky

nearlywild.bsky.social • 38 days ago

Tip #8: Use herbivores

Herbivory has been nature's solution for managing overgrown vegetation for hundreds of millions of years. We should take the hint, and realize that of all the tools humans have available to manage vegetation, nothing beats herbivory for maximizing ecological function. +

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nearlywild.bsky.social•38 days ago

Correction: I lost count, this was supposed to be tip #9.

Sometimes I wish Blue Sky had an edit feature.

nearlywild.bsky.social•38 days ago

This is an overwhelmingly vast topic, and I'm not even going to attempt to cover any details. All I'd like to explain now, is that balanced herbivory is a key ecological function, and vegetated landscapes without any herbivores are dysfunctional. Either through wild herbivores, or via +

nearlywild.bsky.social•38 days ago

well-managed domestic "proxy" herbivores, ecosystems need this key service to enable many dependent cycles. Through grazing, browsing, trampling, scuffling, wallowing, and nutrient deposition, herbivores alter the landscape for the benefit of many other species, but I need to include a warning +

nearlywild.bsky.social•38 days ago

Vegetated landscapes need herbivores, but be aware that overgrazing is a serious cause of ecological decline. Set stocked, or high density herbivory can destroy an ecosystem. The difference between causing benefit or harm is a matter of context and careful management. Fortunately, there are+

nearlywild.bsky.social•38 days ago

people and cultures with plenty of experience to help guide new adventurers. Seek them out, and do your research, before putting a dozen highland cattle on your front lawn.

Balanced herbivory, either wild or "proxy", can create stunning landscapes of high diversity and function.

nearlywild.bsky.social•38 days ago

For more information see these accounts:

EcosystemEngineer
@ecosystemengineer.bsky.social

Herbert Nickel
@herbertnickel.bsky.social

Tibor Hartel
@thartel.bsky.social

Jens-Christian Svenning
@jcsvenning.bsky.social

Howemill
@howemill.bsky.social

Pablo Manzano
@pablopastos.bsky.social

ecosystemengineer.bsky.social•38 days ago

We now have the ability to recreate migrations and improve (most or all) vegetation structures with managed livestock.

And with the same approach it's perfectly feasible to revive the populations of many vulnerable wild herbivores e.g. Rothschild's giraffe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothschild%27s_giraffe

mxfrazzle.bsky.social•34 days ago

Do you have any tips for working collaboratively with native white tail deer? We have TONS here in western PA and they are very destructive of most of my efforts so I'd like to find a way to work with them rather than against them.

nearlywild.bsky.social•33 days ago

I wrote a long post in reply to your question since I get asked about this fairly often. The short answer is: It's a tricky business, but it is possible with some creative solutions. If you have any questions about your specific circumstance, let me know and I can try to help. Good luck!

nearlywild.bsky.social•34 days ago

Yes, but I'm headed to work now for one of my clients who lives in an area of heavy deer pressure. I'll post some ideas for you when I get a chance.

deborah-c.bsky.social•38 days ago

@neolithicsheep.bsky.social, you'd like this

jmfurrybear99.bsky.social•37 days ago

I love this idea and completely agree!! We need a huge herd of goats and sheep to roam the mountains around Los Angeles to clear up all the dry brush which is only more fuel for future fires!!

nearlywild.bsky.social•37 days ago

You might enjoy checking out this site, The purpose is to match land owners with livestock owners in California for custom grazing services, specifically for conservation, vegetation management, or fire fuels reduction.

https://matchgraze.com/about/

mega-g.bsky.social•37 days ago

They’re very good at trampling down patches of bracken too.

gigafoxxx.bsky.social•37 days ago

Tip #9-99: Don't use any animals, not for services, not for entertainment, and especially not for "nature friendly farming", i.e greenwashed animal abuse and slaughter.

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