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Grassy EcosystemsConservation Management Networks |
About the Kit
The kit has developed out of a recognised need to assist land managers work out how to undertake management to conserve biodiversity at the same time as continuing existing land uses.
The Management Kit will also help land managers understand grassy ecosystems and their relevance for conservation.
Site assessment can be carried out for three main reasons: species and habitat conservation, ecosystem function and financial return. The emphasis in this kit is on conservation of species, habitat and ecosystem function. Financial return will undoubtedly be a part of overall property assessment, but is not addressed in this kit.
Grassy ecosystem assessment categories and some examples of how conservation significance can be measured
| Reasons for site assessment | Examples of how biodiversity assists in maintaining these values |
| Species and habitat conservation Species and habitat conservation is undertaken mainly to conserve natural systems, threatened species or communities for their own sake, but not necessarily for any direct biological or financial return for people. |
Presence of threatened or rare species. Diversity of native plants and animals |
| Ecosystem function The processes that are essential for the sustainable management and working of any ecosystem are defined as ecosystem function. Examples include drought and pest resistance, nutrient and moisture retention and resistance to weed invasion. Even altered systems may function sustainably. For example, they may limit weed invasion or prevent loss of soil. |
Condition of the soil surface Perennial vegetation cover Regeneration of plants Cycling of nutrients Interactions between plants and animals |
| Financial return Financial return from farm enterprises is outside the scope of this kit. However, land managed for conservation and a healthy ecosystem can also have economic benefits. Conserving biological diversity through integrated property planning need not reduce financial return. |
Potential for agriculture Harvestable material e.g. seeds, wild herbs Productivity of the native grassy ecosystem Natural pest control |
