<P> Grazing also helps to promote the growth of native plants and grasses . Often, these indigenous plants are not able to compete with the surrounding plants that utilize the majority of water and nutrients . By livestock grazing, the non-native grasses are controlled and the native plants can redevelop . As well as using grazing to increase plant growth, the actual hoof action of the livestock also promotes growth . The trampling helps to imbed the seeds into the soil so that the plants and grasses can continue to germinate . Additionally, management in many parks makes use of grazing to help lower fire hazards by reducing the amount of potential fuel, such as large buildups of forage . When the land is not grazed, dead grasses accumulate . These dead grasses are often a large fire hazard in the summer months . On the other hand, grazing can also allow for "accumulation of litter (horizontal residue)" helping to eliminate soil erosion . Soil erosion is important to minimize because with the soil erosion comes a loss of nutrients and the topsoil . All of which are important in the regrowth of vegetation . </P> <P> The explicit opinion of the Center for Biological Diversity is that grazing has significant negative impacts on local biodiversity . </P> <P> Cattle destroy native vegetation, damage soils and stream banks, and contaminate waterways with fecal waste . After decades of livestock grazing, once - lush streams and riparian forests have been reduced to flat, dry wastelands; once - rich topsoil has been turned to dust, causing soil erosion, stream sedimentation and wholesale elimination of some aquatic habitats </P> <P> Grazing may promote biodiversity . Many species are dependent on ranch lands and grazing animals to maintain their habitat . The grasses that are stimulated through grazing provide a habitat for many species . When the land is left unattended or is not grazed, grasses die with the seasons and accumulate as litter on the ground . For many birds, this is not attractive and they avoid making a nesting area of it . However, when the grass is grazed, the dead litter grass is reduced and allows for the birds to utilize it, while at the same time the livestock benefit . Just as importantly, it increases species richness . When grazing is not used, many of the same grasses grow, for example, brome and bluegrass, consequently creating a monoculture . </P>

What is the difference between grazing and agricultural land