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https://theconversation.com/how-culling-australias-feral-water-buffalo-could-help-tackle-climate-change-193103>
"The world’s largest wild population of water buffalo now roam Australia. As
does the largest wild herd of camels. We have millions of feral goats and deer.
For these introduced species, Australia is a paradise. Plenty of vegetation,
and not many predators, other than dingoes, crocodiles and humans.
The problem is, these ruminants burp out the potent greenhouse gas methane from
fermenting vegetation in their stomachs. While ferals only produce an estimated
5% of the methane produced by Australia’s 24 million cattle and 74 million
sheep, feral ruminant numbers are soaring.
Buffalo, in particular, are high methane emitters, pumping out methane at
around the same rate as cattle. Their numbers have rebounded after earlier
culls to more than 200,000. Of the world’s animal methane emissions, cattle
account for 77% and buffalo for 13%.
At present, culling is expensive. But our new research on feral water buffalo
in Kakadu shows this could change. If landowners, land managers and governments
could claim carbon credits for culling, it would go from an expense to a
profit. At a stroke, we could reduce pressure on ecosystems, cut emissions and
add another source of income for those doing the work."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
