Name:
Tussock Grassland Macrogroup
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Tussock grassland in eastern and northern Australia, on tablelands, montane environments, floodplains and localized clay pans.<br><br>Range: Extends from tropical to semi-arid and some temperate areas of Australia and includes valuable areas for pastoralism (e.g., the Mitchell Grasslands). The major distributions occur in western Queensland, central Northern Territory and throughout South Australia. Largest area is in Queensland (268,013 square km).<br>Generally, Tussock Grasslands have not been cleared but have been extensively grazed as many of the species are palatable to cattle and sheep when the growth is young and soft. Changes have generally been related to the effects of different fire regimes and the impacts of total grazing pressure, especially during drought. Fire regimes may affect the growth of tussocks and other annual and short-lived perennial grasses, and a range of colonizing invasive species may replace the dominant tussock grasses immediately after a fire.<br><br>Physiognomy & Structure: Tussock grassland with wide range of covers and heights.<br><br>Floristics: Tufted habit, usually dominated by particular genera such as <i>Astrebla, Austrodanthonia, Austrostipa, Dicanthium, Eragrostis, Poa, Themeda, Sorghum, Heteropogon, Ophiuros, Oryza, Eragrostis</i>, and <i>Spinifex</i>.<br><br>Environment: Position in the landscape is variable and includes, for example, tablelands and montane environments, floodplains and localized clay pans. Supports a large range of species, partly as a result of this geographical range and partly as a result of the variation in soils and site conditions.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40668-{D9C6F95D-5956-475B-B0F5-9AA7CA610B46}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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