Grassland Restoration Grassland restoration is becoming more prevalent as invasive species continue to threaten the stability of local grassland ecosystems. This essay will analyze two different methods of grassland restoration. The fire-grazing model and the clearing-grazing model will be highlighted with examples from the literature. These models will then be used to design a new strategy for restoring grasslands invaded by shrubs, notably the Karoo Acacia. The restoration strategy used in this study focused on the relationship between fire and grazing. The study proposes the application of the fire-grazing model as a means to increase landscape heterogeneity and restore the system to represent a grassland ecosystem. Fuhlendord and Engle (2004) pointed out in their article that although the grazing method alone can be sustainable on most grasslands, recent studies have demonstrated that the creation of grazing focal points can lead to degradation of the entire ecosystem (Fuhlendorf and Engle, 2004). The fire-grazing model applies discrete fires to plots which are then followed by animal grazing. This process creates a changing mosaic across the landscape while maintaining grassland and livestock productivity. The model indicates that fire and grazing are linked to unique positive and negative feedback effects that promote or inhibit particular processes (Fuhlendorf & Engle, 2004). The model indicates that recently burned areas have a positive relationship with the probability of selection by grazing animals and a negative relationship with the probability of fire. Parcels that have not been exposed to fire have inverse relationships with respect to recent...... middle of paper ...... -clearing method requires regular invention of land clearing shrubs every 4 to 5 years. The restoration method is highly dependent on the area to be restored and its associated history. When it comes to Acacia Karoo, the clearing method should be used to ensure mitigation of invasion. Works CitedBarbaro, L., Dutoit, T., & Cozic, P. (2001). An experimental restoration of biodiversity by clearing and grazing in the limestone meadows of the French Pre-Alps over six years. Biodiversity and Conservation, 10(1), 119-135. Csurhes, S., Weber, J. and Zhou, Y. (2011). Karoo Thorn. Queensland Government, Department of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. Queensland Government. Fuhlendorf, SD and Engle, DM (2004). Application of fire-grazing interaction to restore a changing mosaic in a tallgrass prairie. Journal of Applied Ecology, 41(1), 604-614.