Publication Date
1989
Description
The mulga woodlands are an extensive (1.6 km2) native pasture type in semi-arid and arid Australia and mainly utilised for wool production (merino sheep). The dominant shrub/treee species is mulga (Acacia aneura) which usually occurs in groves across slopes. Pastures comprise perennial grasses and ephemeral forbs. Continuous grazing by sheep and cattle and fire suppression has led to widespread degradation of these pastures; perennial grasses have diminished in abundance and been replaced by ephemeral forbs and inedible shrubs. This paper reports the grazing pressure on Thryridolepis mitchelliana (a perennial grass ubiquitous in mulga woodlands but commonly diminished in abundance) in relation to sheep density and vegetation zone, and the consequences of differences in grazing pressure for plant survival, seed production and recruitment.
Citation
Hodgkinson, K C. and Terpstra, J W., "Grazing Pressure by Sheep: Consequences for Pasture Stability in an Australian Mulga Woodland" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 29.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session9/29
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Grazing Pressure by Sheep: Consequences for Pasture Stability in an Australian Mulga Woodland
The mulga woodlands are an extensive (1.6 km2) native pasture type in semi-arid and arid Australia and mainly utilised for wool production (merino sheep). The dominant shrub/treee species is mulga (Acacia aneura) which usually occurs in groves across slopes. Pastures comprise perennial grasses and ephemeral forbs. Continuous grazing by sheep and cattle and fire suppression has led to widespread degradation of these pastures; perennial grasses have diminished in abundance and been replaced by ephemeral forbs and inedible shrubs. This paper reports the grazing pressure on Thryridolepis mitchelliana (a perennial grass ubiquitous in mulga woodlands but commonly diminished in abundance) in relation to sheep density and vegetation zone, and the consequences of differences in grazing pressure for plant survival, seed production and recruitment.
