The Effects of Burning and Simulated Grazing on Productivity, Forage Quality, Mortality and Flowering of Eight Subalpine Herbs in Kosciusko National Park.

Abstract

The effects of simulated grazing and burning on biomass production, forage quality (CP and DM digestibility), plant mortality and flowering of 4 native perennial grasses (Poa phillipsiana, P. sieberana, Danthonia pilosa and Festuca asperula) and four perennial forbs (Aciphylla simplicifolia, Arthropodium milleflorum, Bulbine bulbosa and Hypochoeris radicata) growing in Kosciusko National Park were studied over a 16-month period. Cutting at 8-week intervals reduced the amount of regrowth at successive harvests as well as the survival of individuals. The season in which a single cut was made generally had a greater effect on the amount of regrowth than length of the regrowth period. Burning promoted flowering and improved the forage quality of the grasses. Rabbits bred only when they were able to obtain forage with a minimum protein content of 14%, provided mainly by the forb species. The management implications resulting from the interaction of fire and grazing, particularly by rabbits and domestic stock, for ecosystem quality are discussed.

Diets of native and introduced mammalian herbivores in shrub-encroached grassy woodland, south-eastern Australia

“…Rabbits consumed relatively even proportions of dicots and monocots. Although rabbits predominantly ate forbs, they also consumed considerable quantities of grasses and grass-like plants; these results conform with other studies showing that rabbits graze selectively on forbs and grasses (Leigh et al 1991;Martin et al 2007). Herbivory can have positive effects on plant performance (e.g.…”

Monocotyledonous geophytes: comparison of California with Victoria, Australia

“…Work in subalpine areas nearby in New South Wales shows that the subalpine populations of the widespread monocot geophytes Arthropodium milleflorum and Bulbine bulbosa are winterdormant (Leigh et al 1991). It is not known whether they die back in response to cold or to drought as February is the driest month in such areas (Leigh et al 1991). Work is needed to see to what extent such widespread species change their behaviour along the gradient from lowland to alpine sites.…”

Studying the post-fire performance of tussock grasses in Patagonia: Survival, biomass production and early competition

“…The interaction between fire and grazing disturbances often decreases grass survival and growth, limiting plant recovery (Bunting et al, 1998;Leigh et al, 1991).…”