Publication Date
1993
Description
Heteropogon contortus-dominated rangelands, which cover 22 million ha, are the most important areas for beef production in northern Australia. Due to overgrazing, this dominant species ,is disappearing and is being replaced by unpalatable species such as Aristida and Chrysopogon in a patchy mosaic pattern. In a large graiing experiment· adjacent to the CSIRO Narayen research station: in south-east Queensland on granite country, patches dominated bf the unpalatable grasses comprised 24-32% of the area. Aristida-dominant and Chrysopogon-dominant patches had lower productivity (1000 and 650 kg/ha, respectively) than areas dominated by Heteropogon contorus (1850 kg/ha). It was estimated that a rangeland invaded by less productive grass species could lose up to 65% of its previous production potential. This could lead to reduced levels of livestock production.
Citation
Wandera, F P.; Kerridge, P C.; Taylor, J A.; and Shelton, H M., "Changes in Productivity Associated with Replacement of Heteropogon cotortus by Aristida species and Chrysopogon fallax in the Savannas of South East Queensland" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 14.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session11/14
Included in
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Changes in Productivity Associated with Replacement of Heteropogon cotortus by Aristida species and Chrysopogon fallax in the Savannas of South East Queensland
Heteropogon contortus-dominated rangelands, which cover 22 million ha, are the most important areas for beef production in northern Australia. Due to overgrazing, this dominant species ,is disappearing and is being replaced by unpalatable species such as Aristida and Chrysopogon in a patchy mosaic pattern. In a large graiing experiment· adjacent to the CSIRO Narayen research station: in south-east Queensland on granite country, patches dominated bf the unpalatable grasses comprised 24-32% of the area. Aristida-dominant and Chrysopogon-dominant patches had lower productivity (1000 and 650 kg/ha, respectively) than areas dominated by Heteropogon contorus (1850 kg/ha). It was estimated that a rangeland invaded by less productive grass species could lose up to 65% of its previous production potential. This could lead to reduced levels of livestock production.
