Grasslands
Grasslands are dominated by perennial, mostly tufted or tussock-forming grasses and occur on the vast, undulating western volcanic plains, the northern alluvial plains and in Gippsland.
They frequently lie over heavy soils which become waterlogged in winter but dry and crack in summer. While trees and shrubs are only occasionally present, they are floristically rich, not only in grasses but also in colourful plants from the orchid, daisy, pea and lily families that flower in spring and early summer.
More about grasslands
- Kangaroo grass is dominant south of the divide, wallaby grass and spear grass abundant in the north
- Many form ephemeral flooded native meadows in winter
- Soil dries rapidly in summer
- Support rare animals, adapted to changeable environment e.g. the Bush Stone-curlew, Eastern Barred Bandicoot and Striped Legless Lizard
- Aboriginal people used fire to maintain the open nature of the grasslands, stimulate the growth of useful plants and attract animals for hunting
- European settlers found that the expansive grasslands provided good grazing and were easy to convert to cropping and improved pasture
Key Threats
Less than one per cent of original grasslands remain, in small remnant patches with low viability. These patches are threatened by:
- Weed invasion
- Infrequent fire regimes that inhibit growth of diverse flowering herbs
- Altered nutrient levels that favour weed growth
Where to see grasslands
The best remaining areas of Victorian grasslands occur in the Victorian Volcanic Plains of south-western Victoria, between western Melbourne and the Hamilton region.
- Brimbank Park
- Terrick Terrick National Park
- Derrimut Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve
- Galgi Ngarrk (Craigieburn Reserve)
- Laverton Grasslands Reserve
- Mortlake Common Flora Reserve
Note: A Research Activity Access Agreement may be required to visit some of these reserves.