Does nature need cattle to graze it?

Much of Denmark's open nature does need grazing animals, but researchers stress how many graze and when more than whether they are cattle. A report from Aarhus University cites an estimate that most protected open habitats need grazing to stay in good condition1. In many places grazing has been too heavy in summer or absent altogether, so grasslands, heaths, meadows and bogs are becoming overgrown2. The report finds herbivore densities far above natural levels under ordinary conservation grazing and far below in unfenced nature3. Cattle and horses are used in most of at least 85 Danish projects with more natural grazing4.

A guide from SEGES says it makes no difference to the species whether the grazers are wild or domestic5. SEGES is the Danish farming sector's innovation and advisory company. The Danish Climate Council warns that grazing could stop on some semi-natural areas if a greenhouse gas tax makes cattle farming less profitable6.