Erosion at kangaroo camps on The Pinnacle Nature Reserve
Perhaps the most obvious impact of kangaroos, to the casual observer on the Reserve, is the creation of large bare areas where they camp, usually under trees. Bare soil, however it is caused, is at risk of being eroded in heavy rain. As well as denuding their camp areas of vegetation, the kangaroos also loosen the soil by scratching, making it even more prone to being washed away. Many examples can be found where a kangaroo-produced bare patch has led to erosion of the topsoil, and the even more fragile underlying subsoil.
Partial mapping of these kangaroo camps has been carried out, showing that they are quite numerous and widespread. We can reasonably assume that the number and size of these disturbed areas increases as the kangaroo density increases, and that with kangaroo densities closer to the conservation density the level of disturbance would have a less significant overall impact on vegetation cover and soil loss on the Reserve.
The photographs below show examples of recently used kangaroo camps, a male kangaroo in the process of loosening the soil, and evidence of erosion of the topsoil and subsoil from older camps.
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Extensive area of bare soil at a kangaroo camp |
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Recently loosened soil at a kangaroo camp; a prime candidate for erosion with the next heavy rain. |
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A male kangaroo scratching a "nest" for himself, resulting in an area of loose soil like that above. |
Erosion of topsoil and subsoil at an old kangaroo camp |
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Erosion of topsoil and subsoil around and under a rock at an old kangaroo camp |
Further Reading
from fotpin
kangaroo management on the Pinnacle
A Sunday walk with a difference
fotpin's 2011 kangaroo count
fotpin's 2012 kangaroo count
fotpin's 2013 kangaroo count
fotpin's 2014 kangaroo count
fotpin's 2015 kangaroo count
2012 kangaroo cull - fotpin position statement
from ACT Government
Management of Kangaroos in theĀ ACT
ACT Kangaroo Management Plan, 2010 [ 6.5 MB]
Calculation of the number of kangaroos to cull [ 610 kB]
Kangaroo Research in the ACT
Grazing impacts
Summary of recent papers, April 2015 [ 664 kB]
Kangaroo fertility control
Density estimation
more ....
Kangaroo Myths and Realities
2015 Kangaroo Conservation Control Program - Questions and Answers [ 98 kB]
from other ParkCare groups
Friends of Mt. Majura research on kangaroo impacts
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