Overgraze: meaning, definitions and examples
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overgraze
[ ˈoʊvərˌɡreɪz ]
land management
Overgraze refers to the excessive grazing of vegetation by livestock or other animals. This practice can lead to the depletion of plant life, soil erosion, and degradation of the land. When animals graze too much in a specific area, the plants do not have enough time to regenerate, ultimately harming the ecosystem. Sustainable grazing practices are important to prevent overgrazing and maintain healthy land. It is a common issue in pastoral farming and can have serious environmental consequences.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Farmers must monitor their herds to avoid overgrazing.
- Overgrazing can lead to desertification of affected areas.
- The pasture showed signs of overgrazing after the dry season.
Translations
Translations of the word "overgraze" in other languages:
🇵🇹 superpastejo
🇮🇳 अधिक चराई करना
🇩🇪 Überweidung
🇮🇩 penggembalaan berlebihan
🇺🇦 перегрівати
🇵🇱 przegraszanie
🇯🇵 過放牧
🇫🇷 surpâturage
🇪🇸 sobrepastoreo
🇹🇷 aşırı otlatma
🇰🇷 과도한 방목
🇸🇦 رعي مفرط
🇨🇿 přepásání
🇸🇰 prepastieranie
🇨🇳 过度放牧
🇸🇮 prepašitev
🇮🇸 ofgnúsi
🇰🇿 артық жайылым
🇬🇪 გადასულობა
🇦🇿 həddindən artıq otlaq
🇲🇽 sobrepastoreo
Etymology
The term 'overgraze' is derived from the prefix 'over-', which means excessively or too much, combined with 'graze', stemming from the Old English word 'grǣsan', meaning to feed on growing grass or other herbage. The use of the term has evolved within agricultural and ecological contexts, particularly as farming methods and animal husbandry practices have developed. Overgrazing emerged as an issue particularly during the 19th century with the expansion of pastoral agriculture in various parts of the world. As farmers sought to maximize the use of land for livestock, the negative impacts of excessive grazing began to be recognized, leading to discussions on sustainable practices and the importance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Today, overgrazing is a key concern in environmental management and land conservation efforts globally.