Vegetation structure and composition in grassy ecosystems

Grassland

Less than 2 mature
trees per hectare

Derived (secondary) Grassland

Trees cleared or died

Grassy Woodland

2 to 30 trees per hectare;
scattered shrubs

Minimal Disturbance
Native grasses and wildflowers: greater than 50% cover and richness; high richness of forbs.

Native animal diversity likely to be high.

Threatened species may be present.

Introduced plants are mainly weeds; site unlikely to have been cultivated in past.

Natural Grassland

Examples:

Natural Temperate
Grassland

Alpine Grassland

Derived Native
Grassland

These were originally woodland or forest

Native Grassy Woodland

Examples:

Yellow Box/Red Gum Grassy Woodland

White Box Grassy Woodland

Snow Gum Grassy Woodland

Moderate Disturbance
Native grasses and wildflowers: greater than 50% cover and richness; few forbs.

Native animal diversity likely to be moderate.

Threatened species may be present.

Introduced plants may have been deliberately introduced from cultivation or may be weeds invading as a result of soil disturbance or site modification.

Ranging from

Degraded
Natural Grassland

to

Native Pasture

Ranging from

Derived
Native Grassland

to

Native Pasture

Low Diversity
Woodlands

High Disturbance
Native grasses and forbs less than 50% cover and richness; few or no forbs.

Native animal diversity likely to be low, but trees may provide habitat for a range of species.

Threatened species may be present.

Introduced plants usually result from deliberate cultivation and may or may not also contain weeds  including exotic annuals and introduced woody species.

Introduced Pasture

Introduced pastures

Lawns

Cultivated fields

Substantially modified
native pasture

Introduced Pasture

Introduced pastures

Lawns

Cultivated fields

Substantially modified
native pasture

Woodland with
Introduced Understorey

Introduced pastures

Lawns

Cultivated fields

Substantially modified
native pasture