Effects of horse riding on national parks and other natural ecosystems in Australia: implications for management

Newsome, D., Milewski, A., Phillips, N. and Annear, N. (2002) Effects of horse riding on national parks and other natural ecosystems in Australia: implications for management. Journal of Ecotourism, 1 (1). pp. 52-74.

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Abstract

Balancing increasing recreation demand with nature conservation objectives in Australia's protectedareasprovides a difficult challenge for land managers. This paper summarises the evidence of biophysical impacts of horse riding and highlights the important differencesbetween Australianenvironments and those elsewhere. Unique environmental conditions in Australia make conservation lands in Australia potentially sensitive to the impacts of horses, both direct (e.g. trampling) and indirect (e.g. alteration of soil fungal regimes in response to addition of faeces and urine). We discuss ways inwhich horse use may be sustainablymanaged on Australianconservation estates, provided that certain conditions are met.