Simulating kangaroo farming: Extending GRASP to include kangaroo population density simulation

摘要: �� � It has been argued that converting some production in semi-arid rangelands from beef and wool to kangaroo commodities would have beneficial ecological environmental consequences (Wilson Edwards, 2008). The kangaroos ability react changes weather could be used mitigate the affect of droughts post-drought recovery marginal areas. Income harvesting during after a drought financially counter restocking costs domestic animals, providing an incentive for landholders consider diversifying into kangaroos. A model was constructed explore levels over time landholder farming developed uses physiological structured population (PSPM) conjunction with GRASP assess densities harvest quantities. simulates effect weather, soil condition, stocking rates either cattle or sheep associated wool. does this diurnally through estimating total standing dry matter (tsdm ). validated large sections New South Wales Queensland (Littleboy McKeon, 2005). Historical simulated simulations analyse model. run using previously included species cattle, as well Comparisons were made between forage utilisation different each commodity produced, beef, meat, comparisons equivalents (dse). results study are agreement most recent analysis on dse (Munn et al., 2009). is noted current figure, which concurs, approximately half figure often use (Grigg, 2002; Munn resulted greater rangelands. Implying any financial may favour unless much larger per unit value. This highlights impact high juvenile mortality (Dawson, 1995) endeavours make commercially viable option landholders.